Our Purpose 

  • Provide networking opportunities that facilitate communication among members of ACA from nonprofit organizations of all types (including, agency, faith-based, and independent nonprofits).
  • Serve as a vehicle for discussion of nonprofit camp issues and trends.
  • Provide a platform to investigate and launch new initiatives to meet the key challenges of ACA nonprofit camps.
  • Provide support for the work and mission of ACA, in particular the nonprofit sector, through the development of tools and resources. 

Be Part of the Conversation

Upcoming Conversations 

Join us! Join your nonprofit camp colleagues for conversations. 

  • Watch for dates in fall 2025!

Previous Conversations 

  • May 2, 2025 - Development Roundtable hosted by Marna Redding, ACA's Chief Development Officer. Tons of cool tips. Recording
  • October 8, 2024 – Character at Camp presentation by YMCA Sherman Lake Director of Character Development. Slides 
  • April 9, 2024 – Growth through Strategic Partnerships - Slides about ACA's Leadership Pathways Grant from Bristol Posatko. Slides about Footpaths Foundation from Mary Macia. Recording
  • January 16, 2024 – Technology for Technology for Fundraising with Marna Redding, ACA's director of development, and Elizabeth Day, YMCA of Cincinnati development director. Recording 
  • October 10, 2023 – Artificial Intelligence and Nonprofits Recording
  • April 11, 2023 – Major Milestones and Fundraising – Panel Discussion with (1) Meredith Murry, VP external affairs, Princeton-Blairstown Center, NJ, (2) Sterling Nell Leija, director of operations, Roundup River Ranch, CO, (3) Lee Trepeck, CEO, Tamarack Camps, MI, (4) Cheryl Belair, chief development officer, Camp Twin Lakes, GA.  Recording
  • January 17, 2023 – Managing Donor and Alumni Relations with Dail Ballard, Executive Director of North Carolina United Methodist Camps – Recording
  • October 11, 2022 – Cultivation, Engagement, and Resources for Fundraising Professionals and Volunteers with (1) Bindu Balan, development director at the Fresh Air Fund, (2) Elizabeth Day, regional development director YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, (3) Jimmy Dickson, previous development director at Geneva Glen Camp – Recording
  • April 19, 2022 – Critical Training for Boards of Directors with Ann Sheets – Recording and Slides    
  • January 25, 2022 – Got Risk? The Board's Role with Melanie Herman, executive director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center – Recording and Slides 
  • October 12, 2021 – Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month & Discussion Diversifying Boards of Directors – A conversation about diversifying your board facilitated by Roberto Gil, member ACA Board of Directors and deputy director of camping at The Fresh Air Fund.  Panelists include (1) Diana Noriega, assistant executive director of Anti-Racism and Equity at Good Shepherd Services NYC, (2) Fatima Shama, executive director and CEO of The Fresh Air Fund, advisor to NYC Mayor Blumbergh administration, member of the Boards of Directors of the New York Foundation, Coro Leadership New York, the New York Immigration Coalition, the National Summer Learning Association, and as a Trustee of the Pinkerton Foundation and (3) Rafael Alvarado, member ACA Board of Directors and owner/director of KeeBees Camp, Florida. – Recording

Resources Supporting Your Nonprofit Work

Here are just a few resources that will help support your work as a nonprofit entity.

Membership in the Not-for-Profit Council

The Not-for-Profit Council is an organization of the American Camp Association and operates with guidelines created by ACA to serve the special interests of the not-for-profit camp community. Membership in the Not-For-Profit Council is open to any member of the American Camp Association with nonprofit affiliation who is willing to pay dues. 

Join ACA online!

Benefits of Membership

What do your kindred dues pay for? When you opt to pay the $40/year Not-For-Profit kindred group dues, you are supporting the work of that kindred group to host their events (both virtual and in-person) and you are supporting the overall work of the association. There are times when the leadership of this group may determine to spend dues to fund a particular event or project related to the interests of this kindred. Anyone may attend the virtual and in-person events hosted by this group whether you have chosen to pay the elective dues or not. Some in-person events, such as events at the national conference, may have an additional cost. Read more about all the ACA kindred and affinity groups.

Join Now

If you are already an ACA individual member and would like to join ACA's Not-for-Profit Council, please reach out to us. 

If you are NOT already an ACA individual member and would like to join, please do so online and chose the ACA Not-for-Profit council also.

Questions? Contact Grechen Throop 765-349-3517 or [email protected]