Client: YMCA Middle Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee

The YMCA of Middle Tennessee, one of nation’s largest and most mission-focused YMCA associations, is widely known for its fundraising success, depth of community involvement, and outstanding volunteer and staff leadership. The Y has partnered with Lighthouse Counsel since 2003 for a broad range of strategic development services and ongoing counsel.

Initially, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee retained Lighthouse Counsel to provide pre-feasibility study counsel and to staff a comprehensive volunteer development task force. Eventually, Lighthouse conducted an InFocus Feasibility and Planning Study focused on plans for what would eventually become the Vision 2020 Campaign. The study’s findings and recommendations led to a sound strategy that was successfully implemented.

The YMCA retained Lighthouse Counsel as campaign counsel for the association’s historic Vision 2020 Campaign. With an initial goal of $50 million and multiple capital, annual and endowment priorities, the campaign eventually expanded to a $75 million campaign—a goal that was surpassed in late 2008, ahead of schedule.

The highly successful Vision 2020 Campaign has created momentum for the YMCA’s next wave of projects that will ensure its life-changing impact in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky for generations to come.

The scope of Lighthouse Counsel’s services to the YMCA has included Comprehensive campaign strategy and counsel, campaign plans, volunteer development, donor cultivation, campaign correspondences, meeting agendas and talking points, proposals, case statements, a campaign video and other vital resources.

“In today’s competitive philanthropic world, we need to readily understand the needs of our community and potential investors. A solid case and overall plan that communicate the vision are essential. Lighthouse Counsel has served as our coach in developing a plan that works and has allowed the YMCA to expand its ministry in Middle Tennessee.”
Jeff Parsley
Senior Vice President of Development
YMCA of Middle Tennessee