NAYDO Eagle Award for Excellence in Fundraising 

Recognizes Associations that are integrating philanthropy into all aspects of YMCA work

Download Eagle Award Nomination Form 
The Eagle Award for Excellence in Fundraising is presented annually to YMCA Associations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in YMCA philanthropy. Because there are budget size categories, more than one Y can win each year. If your YMCA received the Eagle Award prior to 2020, your Y is eligible to reapply providing details of your more recent accomplishments.
2025 nominations are open, using this Application Form. Deadline to apply is December 6, 2024.

2023 Eagle Award recipients: above, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, and below, YMCA of the Okobojis.

 Five Categories for Awards

Categories are based on Association operating budget size:

• $50+ million
• $25 million - $50 million
• $10 million - $25 million
• $ 2 million - $10 million
• Less than $2 million

The Eagle Award is for truly outstanding achievement. The NAYDO Council retains the right to not present the award if nominees do not rise to the level of truly outstanding achievement.

 

Criteria/Judging
Associations must be NAYDO Association Members and demonstrate the following criteria:
  1. Leadership is committed, aligned and personally involved in fundraising.
  2. All levels of the organization are involved and held responsible for relationship building.
  3. Everyone (across all positions) promotes philanthropy and can articulate the case for giving.
  4. Effective communication strategy is in place that both elevates the cause of the Y and communicates the impact that donors' gifts make.
  5. Board members' role in financial development is defined during recruitment and confirmed during orientation. Board demonstrates 100% giving and a majority of board members are actively soliciting philanthropic support.
  6. The YMCA demonstrates evidence of yearly growth in the annual campaign with member involvement as a primary component.
  7. There is a history of successful capital campaign(s) that address critical needs within their community.
  8. An endowment program is in place and demonstrates annual growth.
  9. The YMCA follows best practices in fundraising, with an emphasis on peer to peer fundraising.
  10. The YMCA has shared its fundraising excellence and influence with other YMCAs.
  11. There is a demonstrated commitment to fundraising and financial accountability standards (i.e. AFP Donor Bill of Rights, Imagine Canada Standards Program, BBB Standards for Charitable Accountability.
  12. The YMCA adheres to your country's YMCA Brand Guidelines (required).
  13. The YMCA can articulate NAYDO's impact on building a culture of philanthropy at their Y and improving fundraising within their community.
A panel of judges consisting of past Eagle Award winners convenes after the December 6 nomination deadline. All nominatees are notified by the Eagle Award Chair of their status prior to the January 31 conference registration deadline.

Nomination Process
Who can nominate? A supervisor, staff colleague, board member, campaign volunteer, a Y-USA/YMCA Canada or YMCA Mexico staff member, or any other interested party with a thorough knowledge of the YMCA's fundraising record would be appropriate. NAYDO encourages Association self-nomination from deserving and perhaps overlooked YMCAs.
Download Eagle Award Nomination Form  

Awards are presented at the Impact Awards General Session during the annual NAYDO Conference. It is expected that an award-winning Y already has a delegation registered for the conference. The award-winning Y qualifies for ONE FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION which can be used for reimbursement for someone already registered or for a new registration.


2024
No awards presented. Judges did not feel applicants met the criteria.

2023
•  View 2023 Award Winner - YMCA of the Okobojis
•  View 2023 Award Winner - YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

•  View 2022 Award Winner - YMCA of Greater Houston 
•  View 2022 Award Winner - YMCA of Catawba Valley

Due to the cancellation of NAYDO 2020 because of the pandemic, that year's winners were recognized at the NAYDO 2021 Virtual Conference and no nominations were accepted for 2021.

View 2020 Award Winner - Gateway Region YMCA          
View 2020 Award Winner - YMCA of Western North Carolina
           

Questions?

Contact Zane Korytko, Eagle Awards Chair
YMCA of Greater Moncton, NB, Canada
zane.korytko@ymcamoncton.ca
506 853 8572