KNOWN is the development campaign that will position Young Life in the Eastern Great Lakes Region (EGLR) to achieve greater impact for decades to come. In sync with Young Life’s strategic plan for the United States, KNOWN will see our Region raise funds and invest in our mission guided by four pillars: modeling relational ministry, developing kingdom leaders, inspiring a volunteer movement, and going together to every community and context. Our envisioned future is a strong foundation — ready for every kid — boldly embracing what’s next in ministry.

The key goals of KNOWN are to radically increase our capacity to attract, train, and retain volunteers and Staff; grow Young Life in new Areas with an emphasis on underserved and diverse communities; close recurrent funding gaps by establishing legacy funds that will undergird ministries at risk during periods of economic uncertainty; and provide camp experiences to thousands more kids in the coming years.  

Financially, KNOWN will support your local Area through a variety of grants and budget allocations intended to fund strategic priorities like training, hiring, diversity, outreach, and communications. In time, all Areas should experience greater financial stability that translates into an ability to focus an even greater amount of time on direct ministry and relationship building with kids. The changes we are funding with KNOWN will reduce the risk of feast / famine cycles and allow areas breathing room that invites more responsive ministry. 

The EGLR Regional Staff team (currently 4 full-time and 5 part-time Staff) provides leadership, administration, and coordination to serve the needs of our local Areas. We are responsible for hiring, training, planning, and growth. Our role is vital to ensure Young Life makes a consistent impact and performs its best work. We are committed to unifying our Areas, caring for their leaders, and empowering direct ministry to kids in every way possible. 

The financial goal of the KNOWN development campaign is to raise $8 million over a three year giving period that concludes in 2027. Our financial goal is based on the projected investments required to achieve the ministry outcomes we are targeting by 2030. KNOWN is the result of nearly a decade of assessment, discussion, and planning. First, we evaluated current and future financial needs based on our ministry priorities. Then, we used accepted accounting practices to calculate the near and long-term costs involved with carrying them out. Most organizations are able to successfully fundraise 2-3 times their rate of annual giving in a three year campaign. Our goal is ambitious but well inline with the Region’s performance in recent years, as the total annual revenue within our Region was $4.4 million last year.

Campaign proceeds will be used actively. Our method of developing and deploying legacy funds focuses on preservation of impact not preservation of capital. In effect, we will endow strategic priorities in our budget to fuel a period of rapid growth. Over the next 20+ years, these funds will be spent down entirely and we will have transitioned to a model that compliments strong annual giving with estate and planned gifts.

We are seeking lead gift commitments beginning fall of 2024 before taking the Campaign public in the summer of 2025. The Campaign will be live from 2024 through 2027. Donors may choose to make a gift outright and upfront, or incrementally over the next three years. You may also fulfill your commitment through options like online recurring giving. Young Life will remain flexible with the ways a donor may choose to structure their support, including options to designate a gift for a specific ministry need.  

Young Life depends on consistent annual giving to sustain our current Areas and ministries. KNOWN is focused on gathering resources for future impact. Please do not reduce your current support today to make a KNOWN gift tomorrow. Instead, we invite you to pray and consider how you can give over and above your regular pattern of giving for the next three years.

As our Campaign begins, KNOWN is focused on raising money that will be used in the near term to fund growth and organizational transformation. Gifts made and completed in the next three years are of most direct benefit for this purpose. For 2027 and beyond, our funding focus in support of KNOWN ministry goals will shift to ongoing and deliberate cultivation of estate planned gifts. In the future, our mission will depend on a mix of annual giving and estate planned gifts. The initial phase of KNOWN — focused on commitments made now and fulfilled by 2027 — will prepare EGLR for this funding shift.  

The KNOWN Campaign will fund organizational transformation and strategic priorities to radically increase our mission outcomes in the years ahead. The ventures and shifts we are planning are key to ensuring EGLR is sustainable and impactful at a time when kids need us most. Our goal is attainable. It reflects our needs and our donors’ collective ability to give. We are committed to successfully completing the Campaign because without it Young Life will risk accomplishing far less than we are called to.

You can make a gift to KNOWN using any of the ways you currently give to Young Life, including credit and debit cards, ACH transfers, online bill pay, checks, cash, assets, gifts of stock or securities, and more. You can also advocate for Young Life and the Campaign by sharing this opportunity with friends or associates who may be interested to join you in your support. We are here to help you follow through on your charitable intent for Young Life. Our team is ready to facilitate your gift however we can be helpful.  We also have an active KNOWN prayer team where we share regular prayer requests with those committed to praying for this mission! 

We are excited about KNOWN and our bold vision for the future that it supports. We would love the opportunity to answer further questions and explore your personal interest in Young Life. To ask additional questions or schedule a time to meet, please contact Brian Trost, EGLR Regional Director, at (248) 880-2611, or email btrost@eglregion.younglife.org.