Old Colony YMCA

Following the completion of a five-year strategic plan in 2025 that called for diversifying and enhancing revenue streams, Old Colony YMCA (OCY) in Southeastern, MA reached out to ABCC for assistance. The near 140-year-old community wellness and human services organization was seeking to evolve its fundraising program from a reliance on direct mail and special events to major and planned giving, especially as a hedge against potential reductions in government funding.

ABCC engaged in a comprehensive discovery process as the first step in its development assessment, examining not only fundraising efforts but other key aspects of OCY operations that impact philanthropic investment, including governance, financial management, and communications. ABCC then prepared a detailed report that analyzed findings and made recommendations designed to expand contributed income based on current research and best practices in fundraising and philanthropy. The report also included a three-year action plan for development.

OCY immediately implemented a number of the recommendations, including development staff expansion and board engagement. The latter resulted in an unexpected, six-figure gift that served as proof of concept. OCY informed ABCC that the plan is utilized as its roadmap for continued growth in fundraising.

Image Credit: Camp Yomechas, Middleboro, MA, 2025. Courtesy of Old Colony YMCA.