FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I give to the YMCA? Your support is integral in helping the YMCA continue our commitment to providing quality programs to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. You benefit from having a strong YMCA in your community. Our programs for youth provide meaningful opportunities for young people to grow into responsible adults. The YMCA makes your community a better place to live and work.
Doesnt the YMCA receive funds from United Way? Yes, we are proud of United Ways support! However, those funds are restricted to specific program areas. Why should I give when I already pay monthly membership dues? Membership dues and programs fees cover the cost of maintaining and operating the clubs facilities and programs for YMCA members. Donations to the Capital Campaign will help us achieve our goal of updating our facilities and expanding our programs. Now is not a good timecan I give later? The YMCA will bill donors monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or the donor may wish to pay in one sum later in the year. Pledging your support now and making payment later is often the preferred and affordable way to give generously. Is my contribution tax deductible? Yes! The YMCA is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a publicly supported 501(c)(3) non-profit. Does the money raised in the campaign stay at our YMCA? Yes all donations will be used to realize our vision of updated facilities and expanded programs.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
STRENGTHEN THE HEART OF COMMUNITY

CAMPAIGN GUIDE
2014
TIFFIN COMMUNITY YMCA

LETTER FROM OUR CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP TEAM

This is an exciting time for the Tiffin YMCA. After being an asset to the community for 90 years, we now have the opportunity to expand our facility and services. Together, we can better serve our community.

PLANNING AHEAD
Ask your best prospects first Practice by asking those potential donors who you feel most comfortable with or have the greatest likelihood to give. By going to the people who are most likely to say Yes you will gain the confidence and skills you need when approaching more challenging solicitations. Success breeds success! Solicit only if you have a pledge envelope We issue pledge envelopes to organize the campaign. Please talk with everyone about the good things that the YMCA is doing, but only ask for a gift if you have the pledge envelope.

Aim high When asking for a specific dollar amount, aim high. Talk about the good things those dollars will do. Then BE QUIET and let the donor respond. Dont hear no unless they say no.
Make friends for the YMCA Not everyone will choose to donate to the campaign. However, try and make a friend for the YMCA. Even if they decide not to make a contribution now, you have told the Y story and brought them closer to the organization. Celebrate this success! Respect donors concerns and complaints If someone has a complaint about the Y, listen to and record the complaint, but try not to comment on their specific issue. Assure the person that you will follow up with the YMCA staff and that someone will get back to them. Let them know we will respond to every concern. Once people feel that their concerns have been heard, they will be more ready to listen to your request for their support to the YMCA campaign. Encourage pledging Most of us can give more when we make small payments over a period of time as opposed to giving one larger gift. Encouraging people to make a pledge they can pay over the course of the year helps their ability to do more. Consider asking prospects to contribute $10, $25, or $50 a month instead of asking for one lump sum. Report results regularly Detailed team, division and section reports are published weekly during the campaign. Please turn in your pledge envelopes promptly and call regularly to communicate your progress. You will also receive through email and in a hard copy a simple pledge tracker, allowing you to document each successful pledge.

WHY YOU ARE IMPORTANT

As a YMCA Capital Campaign volunteer you are an important ambassador, communicating the values of the YMCA and its programs to individuals and businesses alike. You are one of the YMCAs best assetsa storyteller. As a storyteller, you will have the opportunity to share with others the unique and personal ways in which the Tiffin YMCA and its programs have touched and enhanced your life. Did you learn how to swim at the YMCA? Did your child have his or her first camping experience at the YMCA? Did the YMCA offer your family financial assistance at a critical time in your life? By telling your YMCA story, you allow others a chance to see the power of the YMCA in action. You become living proof that the YMCA is a making a difference every day.

WHY INVEST IN THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN?

The Tiffin YMCA has the unique capacity to foster lasting personal and social change. Now more than ever it is critically important to increase the impact the Tiffin Community YMCA has in our community everyday. The time is here to support the communitys commitment to the Tiffin Y with updated facilities and expanded programs. Install a Flood Protection System to prevent and avoid flooding 7 program rooms vs 3 rooms Capacity to serve 150 children vs 50 children, before and after school Sports programming for all ages Focus on youth/teen leadership and health programs Dedicated space for gymnastics serving over 110 participants Increase parking by 50 spaces to accommodate our growing membership Add 3 new, and provide 5 instead of 2 family/ADA locker rooms

TEN-STEP PLAN FOR A SUCCESSFUL ASK

1. Introduce yourself and the purpose of your visit. State that you are a volunteer doing this out of your personal belief in the YMCA and your strong conviction about its importance to the community. 2. Ask questions that establish the prospects understanding of the YMCA. Examples: What has been your experience with the YMCA? Do you and your children or friends use the facility and/or enjoy the programs? What do you think are the important roles that the YMCA serves in our community? Do you know someone who has personally benefited from the YMCA? 3. Share your personal convictions about the YMCA and its importance in the community. Make it a two-way conversation by sharing your story, then pausing so that the prospect can contribute too. Example: tell why you think the YMCA is important and share what your involvement has been. 4. State this years case for giving. Become familiar with the Capital Campaign case statement and use it to explain how the community will be better because of this valuable community asset. Refer to the renovation insert as a visual aid to help demonstrate how the money will be spent.

YOUR ROLE IN THE CAMPAIGN

Every volunteer is an important part of a team that will make the community phase of the Capital Campaign a success by hopefully raising more than $250,000 by May 17th. Volunteers fill critical roles: Division Chair: Support Team Captains in their efforts to tell the YMCA story. Division Chairs take the responsibility for ensuring that their divisions financial goal is met. Team Captain: Accept the additional responsibility of inviting others to join you as a YMCA campaigner. Team Captains also report team progress weekly throughout the campaign.

Campaigners: Set a personal fundraising goal and tell the YMCA story to friends, neighbors and business associates. Ask for their gift support.
Staff Roles: Campaign Director: Steve Crone, CEO, to set the tone of the Capital Campaign by supporting volunteers in their roles and administrative staff in theirs. Campaign Coordinator: Jon OBrien, directs all communications including weekly campaign updates, reports and acts as the liaison to all campaigners. Campaign Manager: Stacie Routzahn, Director of Finance, to record pledges and gifts received. Prepare thank you notes, pledge reminders and tax letters. Spirit Chair: Teri Lease, Marketing Communications Coordinator, Promotes the Capital Campaign to members through direct mail, bulletin boards, campaign updates and member donor weeks.

5. Ask about the prospects area of interest. What aspect of the Tiffin YMCA do they feel most strongly about and why?
6. Ask for the gift and ask for a specific amount. Use information from the prospects area of interest to ask for a specific amount and then wait for them to respond. By asking for a specific amount you offer a service and show respect for the prospective donor. This person can then choose whether that dollar amount is right for them. 7. Take out the pledge envelope ONLY after they have agreed to contribute.

KEYS TO SUCCESS
Make your own pledge first: This is the most important step we can take toward success. After you have made your own commitment, you can ask others with pride to join me in supporting the Y. Share your story about the YMCA Have face-to-face conversations with your friends, family and colleagues about the ways in which the Y has impacted you and the community. Share with them your own personal commitment to the YMCA. Telling the Y story face-to-face will give you credibility when asking for a donation and will help build a wider base of support for the future.

8. Ask about matching gifts. Many companies match gifts to the YMCA. Contact Steve if they have any questions about this process.
9. Fill out the pledge envelope with them and get their signature. Fill out this information as thoroughly as possible so that the we have current and accurate information. Feel free to write additional information on the pledge envelope as needed. 10. Thank the donor for their generosity. Youve done it!

CASE STATEMENT
We are asking you to help us realize this dream and achieve our goals in serving the Tiffin community as we move forward. Your generosity will truly make a difference in the Tiffin YMCA, continuing the important task of serving everyone in the Tiffin community. Thank you so much for your valuable time. With your support and through updated facilities and expanded programs, we can better serve the Tiffin community. You are what make Tiffin and incredible place that reaches out to those in need.

PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS

In regards to credit/debit card payments and invoiced payments, donors can choose from a variety of payment plans.
Payment plan options explained: - One time payment Donors can also choose to donate over a period of 1-3 years by being billed: - Annually (Donor selects month) - Semi-annually (Donor selects months)

PLEDGE ENVELOPE
Highlight the various payment plan options and encourage them to donate more over a longer period of time. Memo line 2014 Capital Campaign Donors can choose to remain anonymous

- Quarterly (Usually, March, June, September & November)

- Monthly (Selects starting month) Make sure to highlight the benefits of using one of our payment options. For example a $300 donation can be paid quarterly over 3 years, resulting in 12 equal payments of only $25. For many, this a far more attractive option than a large one time payment.

CAMPAIGN GOAL:

COMMUNNITY PHASE GOAL:

$2,000,000
CAMPAIGN TIMELINE:

$250,000
Fill in your name and date asked for each donation

MARCH 3rd 2014 THROUGH MAY 17th 2014

IMPORTANT DATES
MAR 3rd - CAMPAIGNER SOLICITATION BEGINS MAR 7th - MAY 16th WEEKLY CAMPAIGN EMAIL UPDATES EVERY FRIDAY MAR 17h - MEMBER DONOR WEEK MAR 31ST, APR 1ST& APR 3rd- CAMPAIGNER TRAINING SESSIONS APR 14th CAMPAIGN RALLY MAY 2nd CAMPAIGN RALLY MAY 5th MEMBER DONOR WEEK MAY 17th - CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION EVENT- Golf and evening reception
Refer to gift levels and highlight that gifts are tax deductible