With 10 years of giving and $845,000 in gifts, the Target Foundation is a steadfast partner that helps the Y build healthy and thriving communities. Target supports the YMCA of the North in many ways as community needs evolve. Specifically, volunteering from their leadership team members brings new thinking and strategy that helps us challenge limits.
Carolyn Sakstrup—Target’s Senior Vice President of Insights, Strategy and Innovation and Vice Chair of the General Board at YMCA of the North—has a deep history with both the Y and Target. With her first Y experience at Camp Kici Yapi when she was seven years old, Carolyn grew into a valued leader at the Y. After college, she stepped into the role of assistant director at Camp Menogyn where she lead a team through outdoor guiding and even a derecho storm of the century! She never forgot the leadership lessons she learned at the Y or the magic of being outdoors.
“The leadership experience I received through the Y as a camp guide every summer shaped me into the leader I am today at Target. I fell in love with the Boundary Waters through Camp Menogyn when I was young. Now, it’s a central place for my family and me.” – Carolyn Sakstrup
Carolyn’s commitment to the Y began in her youth and continues to this day as a Forward for All Campaign Committee member and Board member. We are grateful for both Carolyn’s leadership and Target’s commitment that supports the mission of the Y and develops our people and programs.
In the last four years, the Target Foundation has gifted $540,000 for healthy living programing to improve the health of children, youth and families with low incomes through healthy eating, exercise and wellbeing practices. The program has reached more than 600 youth across seven YMCA community sites since its beginning. The impact of these programs is promising, with findings surrounding yoga, mindfulness and mindful movement demonstrating a positive increase in youth knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Target also supports the Y through gifts to childcare, sports and our Beacons out-of-school-time program.
“Through mindfulness practices, youth are able to recognize their big feelings and cope with them.”
- YMCA Healthy Living Program Leadership
Thank you to Target, Carolyn and all of our Forward for All donors for the steadfast support that keeps the Y strong and serving the community. Together, we are pushing what’s possible so all can thrive.