Founders Campaign wants to be built from grass roots
Posted on Sunday, May 6, 2007
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Northwest_Profiles/189425/
BENTONVILLE — One of the largest nonprofit community service organizations in the country may soon find a home in Northwest Arkansas. The newly formed YMCA of Northwest Arkansas held a reception Tuesday to announce the beginning of its Founders Campaign.
Following the national model for organizing a new YMCA, the local group is using its Founders Campaign to hire an executive director and establish funding for the first three years of operation. Once a membership base has been created, the group can then look at establishing a YMCA facility in the area, said Chris Sooter, board president of the YMCA of Northwest Arkansas. A location for the facility and programs to be offered have not been determined.
The fundraising goal for the Founders Campaign is $ 600, 000 in pledges, to be paid over a three-year period. Sooter said the group had raised $ 75, 000 prior to the start of the campaign and is optimistic about raising the rest. Organizers hope to wrap up the campaign in 90 days and offer the first few programs as early as this summer.
Sooter said the group is focusing on a grass-roots, familyby-family fundraising effort, so that as many people can become involved as possible. Founders Campaign Tuesday WHAT: A kickoff event for the new YMCA of Northwest Arkansas WHERE: Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies, Bentonville FUNDRAISING GOAL: $ 600, 000 for start-up costs and three years of programming