The Moment Everything Changes
By John M. Suddes | July 21, 2026
Part 4 of the “Building What’s Possible” Series.
Over the course of this series, we’ve explored a different way of thinking about what’s possible for your capital campaign vision.
We’ve challenged the traditional feasibility mindset. We’ve shared examples of YMCA organizations that chose to think bigger and experienced transformational results. We’ve explored the strategic, structured, and disciplined execution required to bring bold visions to life.
But ultimately, every transformational project has a defining moment. It isn’t the groundbreaking. It isn’t the ribbon cutting. It isn’t even the day the campaign reaches its goal. It happens much earlier.
It’s the moment an organization stops asking whether it can happen and begins asking how to make it happen.
There’s Always an Easier Path
One thing I’ve come to appreciate over the years is that most meaningful accomplishments, not just in business but in life, usually have an easier alternative. There is almost always a safer, more comfortable and less risky path.
The same is true for your YMCA, regardless of your size or situation. The question becomes simple. Will we choose what’s comfortable, or what’s possible?
Transformational visions naturally come with many questions and much uncertainty.
In fact, uncertainty is often the first sign that you’re
considering something significant.
The questions may be familiar, but they are real. What if we don’t raise enough? What if the timing isn’t right? What if we fail?
One of my favorite movie lines comes from A League of Their Own. Manager Jimmy Dugan, played by Tom Hanks, tells his players: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.”
Get in the Game
This is a perfect segue. If you have worked with Suddes Partners, you’ve probably heard me say this more than once:
“Good things happen when you just get in the game.”
The organizations we’ve highlighted throughout this series, and many more over the years, didn’t begin because they were confident of the outcome. They had the courage to begin because leadership decided the need was too great and the opportunity was too significant to ignore.
Building what’s possible is hard. There will be setbacks. There will be moments when you question the journey. That’s normal.
Every transformational project we’ve been privileged to serve has faced those same moments. The difference is there was an unwavering commitment to see it through.
Most of all, it just takes the courage to get started. It takes getting in the game.
One Final Thought
After spending most of my career partnering with YMCAs, I’ve come to believe this:
Every community deserves a YMCA that is willing to imagine what’s possible.
Every YMCA deserves the opportunity to pursue that vision.
That’s the moment everything changes. Let’s make it great!
