Endowment

The YMCA of Barry County’s three areas of funding include program fees, various grants, and our own endowment program. All three are critical to the success of our organization. We provide safe programs that develop self-confidence and foster a greater interest in learning. The need for families to access these programs has never been greater and will only increase as we all continue to adapt to post covid-19 conditions.

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR ALL

To make programming accessible to more families, financial aid is crucial given current and prospective economic circumstances. Today, over 35% of campers receive financial assistance, and all programs are subsidized at some level. Hundreds of families registering children for youth programs rely on this assistance to ensure their children stay active. The need for financial aid is not due to the cost of programming. A national Y survey verifies that our camp and program fees are already among the lowest in the nation. The need is driven by the financial challenges facing so many families in Barry County.

PRESERVING CAMP ALGONQUIN

We are blessed with a superb facility in Camp Algonquin. We provide important opportunities for families and children to grow and learn in an outdoor environment. It is imperative that this facility be maintained and enhanced for future generations. A major waterfront renovation was completed in 2020, and we still have funding needs. While we have been good stewards of the property, additional buildings mean additional expenses. With sustained endowment funding, we will not jeopardize our ability to keep up with the demands of our maturing and highly utilized camp.

SECURING OPERATIONAL INDEPENDENCE

Our outreach services to Barry County residents and beyond are growing. Our Y Mentors program replaced Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barry County in 2017. Our B. Bus Mobile Library has delivered books and educational activities to all corners of the county. Throughout the covid-19 pandemic, and beyond, we have continued to deliver meals to hundreds of children who count on us. Our administrative expenses have been very tightly monitored, and it is tremendous to state that 100% of administrative expenses are covered by our endowment. New donors have the added incentive of knowing that their full contribution is supporting programming and services for families.

This project was an important step to improve the safety of the property and expand the programming opportunities for campers.

• A new, larger boathouse has safer access and a covered pavilion matching the design of the main lodge.
• A new retaining wall along the lake replaced the outdated wall. This wall improves visibility, increases access to the waterfront, and creates an inviting experience for families and campers.
• A new bathroom facility, located at the top of the waterfront steps, allows campers to be appropriately supervised during waterfront activities.
• A new foot trail and boardwalk deck follows the eastern shoreline, and provides new access to areas of camp that have previously been underutilized.

Future development includes a nature playground, expanded signage, a new target sports range, and a new challenge course.