Door County Y Raises Over $54,000 in April, Surpasses Matching Gift Challenge

Door County, WI – [The Door County Y is celebrating an incredible show of community support following the successful completion of the $25,000 matching gift challenge issued by the Carla and Ellsworth Peterson Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of local donors and the powerful momentum generated throughout the month of April, the Y raised more than $54,000, exceeding the match goal and bringing the organization within reach of its annual campaign target.

The matching challenge was launched as part of the Y’s 2024/25 Annual Campaign to support its Membership for All program, which ensures that no one is turned away from Y programs due to financial hardship. The initial goal of $50,000 in April—$25,000 in community donations matched dollar-for-dollar—was surpassed, reflecting the community’s deep commitment to making wellness and youth development accessible to everyone in Door County.

“This outpouring of support has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Brett Cleveland, Philanthropy Executive at the Door County Y. “We are so grateful to the Carla and Ellsworth Peterson Foundation for their generous challenge gift and to every donor who stepped up. Your contributions are already making a difference for families, seniors, and children throughout our community.”

With just one month left in the campaign, the Y has raised over $570,000 of its $580,000 goal, leaving only $10,000 to go before the May 31st deadline. Every additional gift now brings the Y closer to fully funding the programs and services that enrich thousands of lives every year—from swim lessons and youth sports to senior wellness and affordable childcare.

The Y invites all members of the community to help close the gap and finish strong. Donations can be made online at www.doorcountyymca.org/donate, in person at either Y branch, or by mail. The Y also accepts gifts of stock and Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs.

For more information about the Annual Campaign and how to support the Y’s mission, contact Brett Cleveland at 920.743.4949 or visit www.doorcountyymca.org.

The Door County YMCA: For Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Driven by its founding mission, the Door County YMCA has 215 full and part-time staff serving over 12,060 members in Door County from facilities in Fish Creek and Sturgeon Bay in a broad range of programming for all ages. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide.

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Locations: Sturgeon Bay Center