How YMCA of McDonough County Went 24/7 and Reduced Admin Costs in 2 Days

For the YMCA of McDonough County, serving the community effectively meant continuously improving operations, financial sustainability, and member engagement. However, as the organization grew, so did its challenges — limited facility access, manual reporting inefficiencies, fundraising complexities, and rising operational costs. 

To address these challenges and drive long-term growth, the YMCA turned to Daxko’s all-in-one technology solutions. By leveraging Facility Access, Daxko Operations, Daxko Accounting, and Daxko Mobile, the YMCA not only increased membership by over 1,000 members but also streamlined financial processes, improved fundraising, and enhanced overall efficiency. 

As the YMCA of McDonough County looked to grow, it faced two major challenges: ensuring round-the-clock facility access for members and eliminating unnecessary administrative costs. Without the right technology, these goals felt out of reach.

Expanding to 24/7 Facility Access Without Adding Complexity

The YMCA needed to move beyond fixed operating hours to stay competitive, but manual check-ins and staffing requirements made the transition to 24/7 access difficult. Finding a seamless, automated solution was essential to improving member convenience and engagement. 

Reducing the Burden of Manual Reporting

Leadership struggled with outdated reporting processes. Pulling data for board meetings or program analysis meant spending hours sifting through spreadsheets, often relying on interns or student workers. They needed a real-time reporting system that delivered insights instantly.

Capturing More Donations with Streamlined Fundraising

Without an automated system, the YMCA missed out on potential donations due to a complicated giving process. They required a user-friendly donor portal that encouraged contributions and improved financial tracking.

Cutting Administrative Costs with Smarter Financial Management

Relying on external bookkeeping services was costly and inefficient. With a $3 million annual budget and a goal to reinvest more into community programs, the YMCA needed a comprehensive accounting solution to manage finances in-house.

Implementing New Technology Without Disrupting Operations

Transitioning to a new system came with concerns. The YMCA needed a solution that was easy to adopt, backed by responsive customer support to ensure a smooth rollout without operational delays.

With a growing membership and increasing operational demands, YMCA of McDonough County needed a smarter, more efficient way to manage facility access, financial tracking, and community engagement. They turned to Daxko’s all-in-one platform, integrating Facility Access, Operations Transactions, Daxko Accounting, Daxko Mobile, and Daxko Operations to simplify processes and enhance the member experience.

Seamless 24/7 Facility Access with Mobile Integration

Now, members 18 and older can unlock access to their favorite spaces with just a tap of their phone using Daxko Facility Access and Mobile App. This shift to 24/7 availability has transformed convenience for members and played a major role in driving membership growth. With more flexibility to work out on their own schedule, over 1,000 new members have joined — and retention has never been stronger. “Going 24/7 was a game-changer, and we couldn’t have done it without Daxko. The mobile integration made access seamless, and it played a huge role in our growth,” mentioned Nick Knowles.

Instant Data & Insights for Smarter Decisions

Gone are the days of manually compiling spreadsheets and sifting through data for hours. Now, with Daxko’s real-time reporting, YMCA leadership has instant access to insights on membership demographics, program engagement, and financial health. What used to take an entire afternoon can now be done in minutes, allowing the team to focus on making informed decisions that drive impact.

Stronger Fundraising & Revenue Growth

Fundraising has never been easier — or more effective. With Daxko’s Donor Management Portal, donations are now simpler, faster, and more transparent. The automated system ensures that every dollar given is accurately tracked and reinvested into community programs, allowing the YMCA to focus on expanding its services rather than chasing down contributions. Nick says, “For us, it’s not just about raising funds — it’s about making sure we capture every dollar we can reinvest into our community. Daxko makes that possible.”

Cutting Costs with Smarter Financial Management

With Daxko Accounting, YMCA of McDonough County is on track to eliminate costly external bookkeeping by 2025. By bringing financial management in-house, the team can streamline operations, reduce administrative expenses, and reinvest savings into programming. Knowles mentions, “We’re still learning everything Daxko can do, but I see no reason why we can’t eliminate external bookkeeping costs entirely by 2025.”

Fast, Hassle-Free Implementation & Ongoing Support

Technology transitions can be overwhelming, but Daxko’s support team made the switch to 24/7 access seamless. Within just two days, the new system was up and running, allowing the YMCA to provide members with around-the-clock access without downtime or disruption. Nick Knowles stated, “When we transitioned to 24/7 access, I made it clear that we needed things done fast. Daxko delivered within two days — it was seamless.”

Through its partnership with Daxko, YMCA of McDonough County successfully: 

• Increased membership by over 1,000 members thanks to 24/7 access and seamless mobile entry. 

• Cut reporting time from hours to minutes, allowing leadership to make data-driven decisions faster. 

• Improved donor engagement and fundraising efficiency, maximizing financial impact. 

• Projected significant cost savings by transitioning accounting in-house with Daxko Accounting. 

• Seamlessly transitioned to 24/7 access within two days, supported by Daxko’s responsive team. 

With a $3 million annual budget, 120 part-time staff, and 12 full-time employees, the YMCA of McDonough County relies on Daxko to drive operational efficiency, financial transparency, and long-term sustainability. 

For the YMCA of McDonough County, Daxko is a strategic partner enabling long-term success. By optimizing facility access, automating operations, enhancing fundraising, and improving financial management, the YMCA has created a smoother, more efficient, and more impactful organization for its members and the community.

If your community center is ready to streamline operations, enhance engagement, and maximize financial efficiency, then schedule a demo with Daxko today!