Case Study

Dubuque Community YMCA

Capital Campaign Case Statement (2023)

Project Overview

The Dubuque Community YMCA launched a major capital campaign to fund a new, world-class community facility designed to serve youth, families, and seniors across the Tri-State region. The case statement served as the foundational donor-facing document, articulating the YMCA’s mission, community impact, and long-term vision while inspiring philanthropic investment.

My Role

  • Lead writer and designer for the capital campaign case statement

  • Collaborated closely with YMCA leadership, fund development staff, and campaign stakeholders

  • Interpreted national YMCA brand standards and adapted them for a locally resonant, community-focused narrative

  • Developed messaging to support major gifts, campaign conversations, and donor presentations

  • This project reflects my ability to translate complex organizational vision into clear, persuasive storytelling for executive leadership, boards, and major donors.

Scope of Work

  • Campaign messaging and narrative development

  • Long-form donor storytelling

  • Case statement copywriting and layout design

  • Visual hierarchy and information design

  • Coordination with YMCA brand guidelines and assets

Strategy & Approach

The strategy focused on positioning the YMCA as more than a fitness facility — framing it as a community cornerstone that strengthens youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The case statement balanced emotional storytelling with clear, outcome-driven rationale for investment, ensuring donors could see both the heart and the impact behind the campaign.

Deliverables

  • Full-color, multi-page capital campaign case statement

  • Donor-ready messaging aligned with a $43.5M campaign goal

  • Visual storytelling that supported campaign presentations and fundraising conversations

Impact

The case statement provided the YMCA with a cohesive, compelling narrative tool to support campaign leadership, donor engagement, and long-term fundraising efforts for a transformational community project.