This year, our goal is to receive financial gifts from 200 individuals. And, if you help us reach our goal, we will unlock an additional $25,000 Giving Tuesday gift from a generous donor!

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This is only possible thanks to the outstanding support of our AYF community that helped us meet our donor goals and unlocked $15,000 in additional gifts.

This amazing gift means thousands of kids and teens from across the country will unleash their best and use that inner spark to ignite change in their communities.

From the bottom of our Founder hearts, thank you. We are truly grateful for our amazing AYF community and its investment in youth.

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The Advancement Team places a crucial role at the AYF, but not everyone understands what it does. Can you share the main responsibilities of your role as Advancement Manager for Development and Finance?

“My main responsibility is to make sure we raise the necessary funds needed to operate our camps, run our programs, and provide scholarships to those that need them. I plan events like the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament and create appeals, like the National Leadership Conference Class Giving Challenge, to encourage our donors, alumni, and community partners to give to our organization. I also track our donations though a series of databases to ensure our financial information is accurate.” 

Why is an Advancement Team so important to a nonprofit like the AYF?

“A large part of what an Advancement Team does is working to raise the funds needed to keep the camps running. The team helps provide scholarships and grants needed to make sure everyone who wants to can participate in the great programs we offer. Our team interacts with donors, alumni, and community partners to keep them engaged and connected to the AYF.”

You’ve had the opportunity to visit camp at Miniwanca and Merrowivsta and see the program in action. What were your initial impressions?

“I had three initial reactions. First, I was in awe of the natural beauty of the camps and their landscape. They are truly breathtaking places to visit. My second impression was the pure joy of the children involved in the programs. It was obvious the camps provided a safe and fun environment for them to grow and just be kids. Finally, I saw that this is an organization with deeply rooted traditions. From the special names to the fun camp songs and everything in between, it’s clear the role tradition plays in the camps. I’m excited to honor those traditions during the 100th year celebration next year!”

If you could be an AYF camper for one day at either site, what activities would you do?

“I love being in nature. I would spend my day as an AYF camper paddleboarding, hiking to the Ledge, fishing, and participating in team games such as Capture the Flag – a few of which I was fortunate enough to do this year while visiting Merrowvista! Go Team Banana!”

If you could trade jobs with a colleague for one day, whose role would you like to try and why?

“I would trade with Andy Mulcahy, Vice President of Infrastructure. My undergrad is in historic preservation, and I spent many years working on different historic buildings. I love working with my hands to maintain and rebuild historic structures. I find it very rewarding.”

What do you like most about working for the AYF?

“I like that my job directly provides an opportunity for children to live better lives and be better versions of themselves. I like challenging myself and my team to continually outdo ourselves and raise the bar to provide even more scholarships and allow even more campers to experience the joy I saw when I visited the camps.”

What surprised you most about working for the AYF?

“Every person I’ve met within the AYF has a personal story connecting them to someone else within the organization. The AYF is like one giant family, and I consider myself fortunate to be a part of it.”

Outside of work, what are some of your favorite things to do?

“I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I’m a bit of a history nerd, so I always enjoy learning new things. I am always looking for a recommendation on a new history book or museum to visit.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

“Never do anything halfway. Always put your full effort in any work you do or relationship you build. Your work is a reflection of yourself.”

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“To be able to support the AYF’s mission while also doing something I love feels like a gift to me,” he said. Here, he shares more about his role, his favorite spots at Miniwanca and Merrowvista, and what he’d do if he could be a camper for one day.

What were your initial impressions of the AYF summer camp experience?
“I was instantly struck by the incredible campuses we have. Both Merrowvista and Miniwanca are gorgeous sites. And they really come alive when our participants get here. Our campers get to be part of a community that connects them to nature and each other – all while developing an inspiring sense of self and purpose.”

What do you do as IT manager and how does it support the programs people know and love?
“The core of what I do is provide software/hardware solutions and technical support for the AYF. I get to create systems, iron out processes, fix glitches, and address tech issues. I really love it, and best of all, I get to learn on a meaningful level how our AYF team interacts with all the tech that supports our work. Most importantly, I never want our tech or equipment to get in the way of a staff member delivering the promise of our mission to a camper.”

The nature of your role means you get to visit all the AYF sites. What is one of your favorite places at each place and why?
“My favorite place at Merrowvista is the Eating Lodge. Kim Novotny, who runs the food program, works wonders, and the room at mealtime is always abuzz with the sound of happy campers. It’s a building full of happy memories. But a close second is the top of Mt. Flagg. The trail for it splits right off from the main road through camp, and every summer I hike it at least once to take in the view.

“My favorite place at Miniwanca is the beach. Watching the sunset over Lake Michigan is something I tell anyone visiting the state to do, and we get to watch it every night here on site.”

How do you connect with the AYF mission when you are on site?
“By trying to imbue every engagement I have with a profound spirit of respect and value for everyone’s part in this mission. That means valuing their time, their process, and their place in the community. No one’s job is a small ripple – we’re all one big wave together.”

If you could be an AYF camper for one day at either site, what activities would you make sure to do?
“The climbing courses, as well as going up Old Baldy at Miniwanca. The sense of accomplishment I see in our campers when they finish a climbing course has always made me want to try it.”

If you could trade jobs with a colleague for one day, whose role would you like to try and why?
“It would have to be Dayna Vuksinick or Michael Harter, who run our Community & School Programs. There’s such a variety of activities and strategies they get to implement, and it always looks like they’re having a blast.”

Outside of work, what are some of your favorite things to do in your spare time?
“I love to go running, read poetry, and paint portraits. I’m a huge history buff, so I’m always open to any recommendations for books on ancient cultures or societies. Also, I grew up in Florida, so it’s impossible for me to say no to the beach.”

What is one book that had a significant impact on your life?
“‘A People’s History of the United States’ by Howard Zinn was the first book I read when I entered college. It was transformative for me – it completely rearranged how I look at the world and myself for the better. I think it’s a must-read for anyone graduating high school in the United States.”

What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever received?
“I have two I remind myself of daily: Be charitable when people make mistakes because the sum of you doesn’t have to be defined by the worst thing you’ve ever done. And: Try to meet people where they are, not only where you want them to be.”

The post Staff Spotlight: AYF’s Romauld Dugue appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

Though his career took him through retail and banking, Robinson never forgot the AYF and recently returned in a full-time capacity as Development Coordinator on the Advancement team. Here, he shares what NLC meant to him, why he came back to the AYF, and the best advice he ever received.

How did you hear about NLC and why did you decide to attend?
I first heard about NLC back in the ’90s when my older sister and cousin attended the International Leadership Conference. They still talk about their time in the mountains of New Hampshire and how it changed their lives. I just knew I had to get there some day.

What were some of your biggest takeaways from NLC?
One of the biggest takeaways for NLC is to look at life with a broader stroke to really seek to understand the world around you.

How has NLC impacted your life as an adult?
NLC gave me tools for my adult life. For example, it’s okay to walk into a space and be you, it’s okay to be different from others in the space. It also helped to create an inner safe space for me.

Why did you want to return to the AYF in a full-time capacity?
I returned to AYF because I want to make an impact and give back to the place that give me so much. It was the place where I learned it’s okay to be uncomfortable and to use that space for growth.

What are some of your primary responsibilities at Development Coordinator?
I’m responsible for working with donor and alumni information, including collection and processing of fundraising data, correspondence, reporting, supporting the St. Louis office, and running the buses to Miniwanca in the summer.

What is one of your favorite parts of your job?
My favorite part of my job is working with volunteers and making new connections with the community at large.

Why is a development team so important to a nonprofit like the AYF?
The development team is important to nonprofit organizations because we’re the team fundraising and connecting with volunteers and supporters so we can all live out the mission of the AYF and sustain its future.

When you’re not working, what are some of your favorite things to do?
Enjoy time with family and friends, researching family history, going to the movies, and trying new restaurants.

What’s the best advice you ever received?
Life is uncomfortable, but not comfort-less. We need the uncomfortable to grow, but we need comfort.

The post Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Michael Robinson appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

The Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament has taken place nearly every year since 2001 in memory of lifelong AYF supporter and avid golfer, Donald Danforth Jr. This year, more than 100 golfers, volunteers, and AYF staff came out to enjoy a beautiful day and support the AYF mission at Algonquin Golf Club.

Presented by Nestlé Purina PetCare, the golf tournament is the AYF’s signature fundraiser, having raised more $2 million for youth to experience exceptional programming at Miniwanca and Merrowvista in the history of the tournament. The funds generated through the tournament provide financial assistance to inspire youth each year to discover their best selves.

In addition to sponsorships, attendees also gave back through fund-a-need contributions and a robust raffle for prizes like a St. Louis Blues game day package, an AYF Swag Bag collection of branded merchandise, and a St. Louis Cardinals game day package that included special perks with KMOX Sports Director and tournament emcee Tom Ackerman.

“We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to support the AYF mission and the kids we get to serve,” said Director of Development Jessa Glick. “So many kids will get to experience the magic of Miniwanca and Merrowvista thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, volunteers, and golfers.”

After a day on the greens, golfers enjoyed a cocktail hourand learned more about the life-changing power of AYF programs when camper Mary Ruth Sanders shared how her experiences at Miniwanca each summer have helped shaped her today.

AYF President Anna Kay Vorsteg said it was wonderful to hear from Mary Ruth. “I love telling supporters about the good work we do, but nothing can compare with a young participant sharing their personal story about how AYF programs have impacted them,” she said.

The Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament will return in 2024. Check out some of our favorite moments from this year’s tournament below.

The post Annual golf tournament raises nearly $95,000 for AYF youth appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

When did you attend camp for the first time?

“I was 13 years old when I first attended Miniwanca. As a middle school “tweenager,” I was eager to find a new adventure and travel farther than the Girl Scout and church camps I had previously attended near my hometown of St. Louis. I vividly remember my first moments at Miniwanca – the kindest, most welcoming staff who genuinely communicated their excitement through their smiles and one-on-one attention.

“Now over 30 years later, I can still recall walking with my leader along the wooded trail from 50-Bay to Downtown Miniwanca for the first time as she shared the history of the AYF property and why the organization was established. From that first introduction, I understood that I was an important and valued part of a much larger community.”

Why did you return to camp year after year?

“I returned to Miniwanca as a camper and NLC participant because I wanted to spend my time surrounded by other people who were joy-filled and excited about being part of a positive community. I returned to summer staff as a college student because I wanted to stay connected with the community and ensure the good work continued.

“In later years, I kept showing up at Miniwanca every summer with my young family because I wanted to purposefully spend my time and energy on behalf of others, contributing to a space where everyone feels welcome and valued.”

Why did you decide to join the AYF full-time?

“This opportunity emerged soon after I paused my career as a therapist and behavioral healthcare administrator. I have witnessed the powerful, life-saving impact that integrated, high-quality treatment and recovery supports have on an individual, their family, and the larger community. I also know the critical importance of supporting upstream prevention efforts to promote healthy youth development. I am thrilled to support the AYF as an organization that intentionally provides space and opportunity to enhance the social, emotional, and physical well-being of youth.”

What do you do as Director of Special Projects?

“With a title like Special Projects, I have the opportunity to contribute across the organization. I will be onsite at Miniwanca this summer, assisting our Camp Directors with program and our Community Care Teams with supporting the mental, social, and emotional health of campers and staff. Recently, I have been able to attend many of our Miniwanca open houses in various cities, which has been a wonderful way to meet new campers and their families, as well as connect with alumni and other AYF supporters.

“I am coming to the AYF at a very exciting time in the organization as we approach our centennial in 2025. My experience with organizational management and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams will be used to implement our AYF goals and objectives. I am excited to also work closely with the Advancement Team to identify and develop new partnerships across the country to advance our mission.”

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

“I am looking forward to living in optimistic and hopeful community! At Miniwanca, every moment is intentionally filled with purpose. I am excited for the sunsets over Lake Michigan while campers share their thoughts and perspectives in Evening Reflection. I am also really excited about the talents of our Food Program staff. I gladly welcome others to take on the task of meal planning and food preparation for me this summer!”

Outside of work, what are some of your favorite activities to do enjoy or take part in?

“I spend much of my time on the sidelines and in the audience, supporting my children with their extracurricular activities: soccer, swimming, track, tennis, orchestra, and theater. I enjoy traveling with my family and adventuring to new places. This past year, we were able to visit Hawaii, California, and Mexico!”

What is one of your fondest Miniwanca memories?

“My favorite moments at Miniwanca are when we spend time writing a letter addressed to ourselves. Across camp, as each person finds their own space to sit and reflect. The only sounds we hear are the birds and squirrels, wind and waves. We are alone with our thoughts and feelings, yet fully embraced with the physical beauty of Miniwanca and surrounded by others just a few feet away.

“This special time gives us opportunity to reflect on our most recent camp experiences and then envision how we will integrate what we have learned into our days back home. And then one winter day, the letter shows up in our mailboxes, and we are instantly reminded of our time at Miniwanca!”

What’s one of the best pieces of advice you ever received?

“Assume the best.”

The post Staff Spotlight: Advancement’s Sandra George appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

We recorded the webinar for those who weren’t able to make it. We hope it provides insight into the AYF’s progress toward creating powerful, inclusive, transformational program communities at Merrowvista and Miniwanca.

The post Advancing Toward Our Best appeared first on American Youth Foundation.

The golf tournament began in 2001 to honor the legacy of passionate AYF champion Donald Danforth Jr. Though the pandemic forced its cancelation in 2020, the AYF and presenting sponsor Nestlé Purina PetCare were pleased to welcome golfers back for the 19th time at a new location, Algonquin Golf Club.

The golf tournament is the AYF’s signature fundraiser, raising more $1.5 million for youth to experience exceptional programming at Miniwanca and Merrowvista. The funds generated through the tournament provide financial assistance to inspire dozens of youth each year to discover their best selves.

Advancement Manager Annie Oliverio said the donors’ generosity was greatly appreciated. “The funds raised at this event open the doors to so many new opportunities for youth across the country who will be able to discover their best selves through programs at Miniwanca and Merrowvista, the National Leadership Conference, and our Community and School Programs,” she said.

Senior Director of Advancement Liz Marshall said it was wonderful to connect with so many supporters in person while also maintaining safe COVID-19 protocols at the open-air event.

“Many of the golfers and volunteers are lifelong Founder Friends who look forward to this tournament each year,” Marshall said. “It was such a pleasure to catch up with so many familiar faces and thank them personally for contributing to our mission.”

Participants also heard from new AYF board chair DD Danforth-Burlin and President Anna Kay Vorsteg before ceding the microphone to 16-year-old Miniwanca camper Jack Kuhlman.

Clad in his recently earned rugby, Kuhlman spoke to the attendees about how the AYF has affected his life and issued a dare to the assembled guests. “I dare you all of you to do something kind for a stranger. Give them a compliment, pick something up for them, or even just give them a smile to brighten their day – anything that will help spread that camp spirit just a little further.”

Vorsteg said she loved that Kuhlman challenged everyone to be their own best selves. “Jack’s speech was such a powerful example of the effect AYF programs have on youth – and the effect youth can have on us,” Vorsteg said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

The AYF hopes to return the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament to its original month of May in 2022. Check out some of our favorite moments below:

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You can help by spreading the word about this global initiative. Read more about the origins of #GivingTuesday, the non-profit behind this day of gratitude. Challenge your friends to start their own fundraisers to support scholarships. Spread the word on social media or by sharing the link to this new AYF giving initiative.

Together, we can expand the reach of AYF’s programs and make our communities reflective of our entire nation. We look forward to building community and reaching new donors on Giving Tuesday!

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