By Janine Ayoub.
At YAMM, we’re all about helping organisations like Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre (DBNC) to thrive and reach new heights. When DBNC reached out for help in expanding their fundraising efforts, we were absolutely thrilled and honored to jump on board! It was our chance to support a community centre bringing essential services for newcomers and families, a cause that is so meaningful for our team who had recently moved to Canada. This was our opportunity to increase this community organization’s financial sustainability and to deepen our understanding of community-driven change. DBNC had some big goals in mind, and we knew we could lend a hand in making progress together with them.
The Journey: from plan to innovation
DBNC, like most nonprofits in Canada, has been facing some serious challenges with the economic climate. Inflation was on the rise, and donations were feeling the pinch. Nonprofits were reporting a decrease in donations and challenges gaining new support. DBNC needed to adapt programming to meet the growing needs in the community. Our collaboration was grounded in a shared vision to overcome these challenges through innovative fundraising strategies tailored to their unique strengths and community context.
We worked side by side with DBNC for nearly two years, creating a tailored fundraising strategy to help them diversify their sources of revenue. DBNC needed to rely on individual, foundation and corporate support in addition to government funding. By introducing new tactics like peer-to-peer fundraisers and innovative campaigns, we saw their donor base blossom by 50%. This growth was not just in numbers but also in the depth of the relationships forged with new and existing supporters. DBNC was able to mobilize mission-aligned friends from the community.
Their annual holiday campaign remained a beacon of hope, bringing joy to 60 families through personalized gifts. To this, we introduced the Community Care Closet, which became a stable and dignified resource in the neighbourhood. Community members were able to order and receive essential items for free on a monthly basis. Growing and sustaining this initiative required a team effort, writing grants, seeking in-kind donations as well as launching fundraising campaigns. . The Community Care Closet has been going strong, thanks to everyone’s hard work.
Inspiring change: The Girls Leadership Action Month (GLAM)
Perhaps one of our most inspiring collaborations has been the Girls Leadership Action Month (GLAM). This initiative started as a small idea and has grown into a robust movement empowering young girls in the Peel area. It was so rewarding to watch the collaborations within DBNC in reflections and community mobilization. We watched in awe as fifteen young girls from the Peel area took part in training sessions, learning about self-confidence, health, feminism, and more. And the best part? We mobilized a committee of eight amazing young women who took the reins, fundraising and spearheading the program’s growth. They formed the GLAM committee and have expressed interest in sustaining it throughout the year. We are confident that this will be an enriching experience for the young women in the committee as well as young girls who will have opportunities for personal and leadership development.
By joining forces, we’ve shown that with the right support, organizations with an impact can adapt and be responsive. The dedication of DBNC’s team and the local community has been nothing short of inspiring. Their story is a prime example of what happens when a community rallies around a cause. It’s not just about meeting fundraising targets (this happens, naturally) but about being there for each other as a community and fostering an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
This partnership with DBNC exemplifies what can be achieved when organizations come together with a common purpose. We’re honored to have played a role in their journey, making a positive impact on their community.
If you are inspired by DBNC’s story and are considering similar strategies for your organization, we at Yamm are eager to share our experiences and support your journey. Together, we can cultivate stronger communities and create lasting impacts.
For more insights into the remarkable work being done by DBNC, visit their website: Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre.
And remember, together, we can create a brighter future for all!
Author Bio
Janine is a nonprofit leader and a certified fundraiser who enjoys helping meaningful nonprofits to grow. She builds on her wide experience to build a context-specific and adapted strategy for every organization she works with. She loves to solve puzzles, take long walks and learn new things.