The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga Board of Directors on Tuesday celebrated the Y receiving the 2025 Eagle Award for Excellence in Fundraising. The North American YMCA Development Organization, an association in partnership with Ys from Canada and the United States, presented the award at its conference.
In 2025, the Metro Chattanooga Y set its annual Community Support Campaign fundraising goal at $1.4 million, and the Y’s five-year Vision 2028 Capital Campaign has an active goal of $15 million.
“All branch staff and donors stepped up to make it happen, raising more money than any of our previous campaigns. Many factors drive the need for increased fundraising, especially the growth of income-based memberships,” said Metro Chattanooga Y President and CEO Baron Herdelin-Doherty at Tuesday’s board meeting. “The need is great, and the cause is greater. Thank you to all who helped us achieve our goal and everyone still working to reach our Capital Campaign goal. Let’s keep growing.”
The Eagle Award recognizes Chief Development Officer Tripp McCallie and the Y team’s tireless efforts to inspire and strengthen a culture of philanthropy at the Y and within the community. It’s presented annually to Ys that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in philanthropy. The Metro Chattanooga Y is one of only two Y associations selected this year across North America.
The Y’s results within Chattanooga and surrounding areas are monumental: the new J. A. Henry Community Y facility, staff and volunteers feed over 300,000 children during the summer, and the Y is serving more families through affordable childcare and youth programs. IBM rose from 7 percent in 2023 to 16 percent of all memberships in 2025.
“The judges were impressed by the efforts of every volunteer and staff member,” said Zane Korytko, NAYDO Eagle Awards chair, and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada. “Clearly, everyone is engaged as an advocate for the impact of the Y on local kids and families.
“The Y’s philanthropic efforts are well planned, organized and executed. It was clear to our judges that Y members and the community have a deep passion for the Y's cause, and Y staff and volunteers are motivated to create positive outcomes for years to come."
Among 13 points of criteria, here are a few the judges highlighted in selecting the Metro Chattanooga Y for an Eagle Award:
Full Staff Engagement: collective effort under the Vision 2028 Capital Campaign.
Board & Donor Involvement: board gives 100 percent, solicits gifts, and donor impact is communicated well.
Fundraising Results & Standards: proven growth in annual, capital and planned giving campaigns, follows best practices, and shares success.
"At the Y, we depend on the generosity of our neighbors to fuel our work," said Mr. Korytko. "Effective communication of the Y's impact connects donors and volunteers to the positive change their gifts can make in their own communities. We're thrilled to recognize McCallie, Herdelin-Doherty and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga for their role in responding to community issues and transforming the lives of adults and children."
The Y was also recognized and honored at NAYDO's annual conference in St. Louis, Mo.