Fundraising to Future-Proof Afterschool Programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana (BGCGNWI) is striving to double its impact this September with its annual Return to Learn Campaign.

The Return to Learn Campaign is an annual back-to-school fundraiser. It runs from September 1 through the end of the month, because learning opportunities don’t stop when the school day ends. During the campaign, the eight Clubs across the Region will be raising critical funds to provide Clubs across Northwest Indiana (NWI) communities continued access to enriching programs, educational resources, and after-school care.

The goal of the Return to Learn campaign is to ensure NWI Club kids meet every opportunity with confidence, helping them learn, grow, and thrive throughout the school year and beyond. The Boys and Girls Club’s after-school programming takes classroom lessons and seeks to apply them to real life. Its high-quality after-school programming not only increases educational opportunities for kids, but also gives their guardians reassurance that their children are safe while they finish the workday.

Right now, one in five children are left unsupervised after school while parents are working. Safe, affordable, and enriching after-school programming is not just helpful in a pinch, but an essential service and a means of survival for the well-being of NWI’s youth.

The money raised during September’s Return to Learn campaign goes directly back into programming of the Clubs that raised the funds, meaning every local donation stays local, and is that much more meaningful. Fund distribution will vary based on needs of the Clubs

Return to Learn is designed to rally the community around the importance of top-notch after-school programming as children head back to school. The start of the school year is a time for opportunity, and that journey in education continues after the school day ends.

Learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings — it continues at the Boys and Girls Clubs through mentoring, academic support, STEM, arts, career-readiness opportunities, and so much more.

The Return to Learn campaign began in 2023. Since its inception, the fundraiser has grown to include gift-matching pledges, large-sum donors, and ultimately, gone on to secure program sustaining donations.

This year is especially meaningful, as it marks the third year of our Return to Learn matching partnership with University of Chicago Medicine, which has backed the initiative since 2024: University of Chicago Medicine matches up to $100,000 of all funds donated in the month of September!  Thanks to UCM’s dedicated partnership, program enhancement and life-changing donations are doubling the impact for kids across the Greater Northwest Indiana network.

Another shining star in the fight for funding and continued education is the Hammond Club Resource Council (CRC), which works hand in hand with BGCGNWI.

The CRC is a local, community-based volunteer group for each of the eight Clubs in Lake and Porter counties. CRC members serve as ambassadors and advocates for their home Club: Portage, South Haven, Valparaiso, Duneland, Gary, Hammond, Cedar Lake, and East Chicago. During Return to Learn as all 8 Clubs compete to raise the most funding, CRC’s have an opportunity to lead the charge!

Our Hammond CRC rocks Return to Learn each year with their exceptional dedication, energy, and commitment to supporting their Hammond Club Kids. The CRC continues to make a meaningful impact in the Hammond community, having won the Return to Learn Championship Belt three years in a row. By mid month this year, the Hammond Club has already exceeded $24,000 in fundraising thanks to its dedicated volunteer network and connections in the community.  They are well on their way to surpassing last year’s winning total!

The community considers the Hammond CRC its “pitch hitter,” as they always come in clutch when the community needs them most. The CRC recognizes that children are our future, and that belief is evident in how they give back, show up, and pledge their time. The members of the Hammond CRC continue to raise community awareness for those who need it most while strengthening the community through ensuring resources remain in the hands of those in need.

“Our CRC consistently steps up whenever there is a need, whether it’s fundraising, advocacy, volunteer support, or strategic guidance,” said Candance Villagrana, a Hammond CRC volunteer.

Those who work closely with the Hammond Club and the CRC are impressed by their dedication and commitment to the community and the kids it serves, while fully recognizing that fundraising is an uphill battle.

Dan Sharpe, a member of the Hammond CRC and avid supporter of the BGCGNWI, has made it his personal mission to support the Hammond Club and organization. His passion began as a firsthand account, after witnessing volunteer staff interacting with the kids attending the Clubs, and seeing how previous fundraising efforts were impacting the Club facilities.

“Programs like this never have enough funding,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe believes a community invested in the safety and support of children is a community truly invested in the future. His efforts are guided by the desire to impact families and children positively, the core of the Boys & Girls Clubs mission. He remains motivated and continually inspired by the people around him.

Each year during Return to Learn, Shape has been instrumental in helping Hammond earn the title of Return to Learn Champion. Through Sharpe’s passion, along with the incredible dedication of the Hammond CRC and Club staff, Hammond has raised approximately $50,000 through the campaign.

“I feel like there are many ways to be charitable, but there is something so affecting to be charitable in the community that I live in,” Sharpe said. “It makes me able to really see the difference.”

While Sharpe believes that the Hammond CRC has a great team at its core, he wishes they could recruit more members and volunteers.

The CRC and BGCGNWI are invaluable resources for the communities they serve. Supporting both organizations is a way to support the community, and you can trust that your donations ensure programs continue and facilities remain staffed, equipped, and evolving. The  BGCGNWI is asking the community to reinvest in itself, in its future community members, and in the youth it serves.

“Children are future community members,” said Lance Marco, a volunteer council member of the Hammond CRC. “The Boys and Girls Clubs keep them on the right path.”

The most dangerous time for the youth is during the gray area between school and home. This is the 2-6 p.m. window when parents are still working, children are unsupervised and at greater risk of becoming victims or crime or participating in unhealthy activities.  The supervision after school that the Clubs provide is vital to the safety of our kids.

The BGCGNWI and its after-school programs is a safe bet, and while it is no secret that even in the most affluent cities or towns, non-profit organizations in need of support are plentiful, choosing which organization or cause to support is the hardest part of philanthropy.  If impact is the goal, supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI ensures success, impacting thousands of region kids and families every day.

As the world around us cries for help, the joint efforts of the CRC and the BGCGNWI cut through the noise.

“The CRC’s commitment to the Clubs is inspiring, and that is what keeps me involved,” said Candice Villagrana, member of the Hammond CRC. “Our CRC helps ensure that staff feel supported and that the kids have access to even more opportunities, resources, and experiences that help them succeed.”

The CRC members of the BGCGNWI encourage everyone to get involved, whether through volunteer work, advocacy, donations, or simply spreading the message and amplifying each organization’s mission. The fundraising efforts during the return to learn campaign rely on the idea that there is strength in numbers, and it will maximize the impact.

“The kids we serve today are the future leaders, employees, and community members of tomorrow,” Villagrana said. “By investing in them now, local businesses and community members are helping build a stronger future for our community. The Boys & Girls Clubs provides a safe, supportive environment where young people can learn, grow, and develop the skills they need to succeed.”

The BGCGNWI is well on its way to bettering the lives of the kids and communities it serves, with its goal of raising $200,000 during the Return to Learn Campaign well underway.  So far, the fundraising efforts have included 150 donors, participation in seven network-wide Club fundraising events, and $48,346 raised across the eight locations alone.  Additional funding has come in throughout the month offline and will be added to the grand total!

Confirm your pledge or make  your donation online by September 30 to support the Match Campaign!  For more information on how to become a fundraiser or donate, visit the fundraising website here. Your support today can impact your community tomorrow and for generations to come.