INNOVATION CHALLENGE

INNOVATE. DO GOOD. CHANGE LIVES

For more than 150 years, the Greater Green Bay YMCA has served our community. Through our history, our most valuable assets have been our staff and the YMCA programs we have developed in support of the community. Our intentional focus on program development and program delivery has built our Y, driven our growth, and expanded our Associations reach – impacting countless lives.

Despite our success, we aspire to do more; to grow and serve our changing community in meaningful ways. The Greater Green Bay YMCA’s Innovation Challenge is calling on all creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to submit ideas that will accelerate program development within the Greater Green Bay YMCA.

Three YMCA volunteers smiling and standing together outdoors under a tent, with fresh produce and food crates visible on tables in the background.

HELP US SHAPE THE FUTURE

As Cause-driven leaders, participating in the generation, experimentation, and implementation in new approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s Mission and work is a critical part of every Greater Green Bay YMCA staff member’s job. To that end, we are inviting all YMCA staff, full-time and part-time, to participate in our Innovation Challenge.

This year, we are looking for program ideas that answer the question “How might we strengthen the experience of families.”

ABOUT THE INNOVATION CHALLENGE

You are invited to participate individually or in Innovation Teams of up to 3 members (maximum).
There are four phases of the Innovation Challenge:
1) Ideation Phase
2) Pitch Phase
3) Pilot Phase
4) Launch Phase.

PHASE 1: IDEATION PHASE

This phase focuses on individuals and/or Innovation Teams developing an innovative program idea and submitting it for consideration. A basic business plan is a part of the submission and ideas will be scored based on how clearly and logically the following criteria are met:

  • How original or unique is the program idea/concept?
  • Might it maximize current Association resources (equipment, facility, etc.)?
  • Are philanthropic dollars used to sustain the program?
  • How fast might the program be replicated within the Association?

HOW TO SUBMIT AN IDEA

Resources are provided and are to be completed during Phase 1. To access the resources, please email kenzie.hagerstrom@greenbayymca.org.

Individuals or 1 person per Innovation Team must submit their ideas to Katie Prellwitz at Kathleen.prellwitz@greenbayymca.org. All submissions will be reviewed by the Innovation Challenge Committee, consisting of Executive Leadership Staff.

 

Program ideas that score well in Phase 1 will be notified and will advance to Phase 2. Not all submitted ideas will move to Phase 2.

PHASE 2: PITCH PHASE

This phase focuses on further vetting the program ideas that scored well to determine which concepts are best positioned to move into prototyping or testing. Individuals and/or Innovation Teams will make an in-person pitch presentation to the Innovation Challenge Committee to share an overview of the program concept and answer questions. Program concepts that advance to this phase will result in a $100 spot bonus incentive per individual/Innovation Team member.

PHASE 3: PILOT PHASE

This phase focuses on prototype development and refinement based on user and organizational feedback. Individuals/Innovation Teams will develop and run a prototype/pilot of their program concept. The Association will support funding needed to support the test program. Program concepts that advance to this phase will result in a $150 spot bonus incentive per individual/Innovation Team member.

PHASE 4: LAUNCH PHASE

Successful prototypes that move into this phase will work to launch the program in the next program session with the full support of Association Resources. Program concepts that advance to this phase will result in a $250 spot bonus incentive per individual/Innovation Team member – after the program is formally run through operations.

KEY DATES:

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Submissions Open

Friday, May 30, 2025
All Submissions Due

Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Phase 2 Qualifiers Notified

Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Phase 2: Pitch Presentations

Monday, June 23, 2025
Phase 3 Qualifiers Notified

June-August 2025
Phase 3 Qualifiers Prepare and Promote Pilot Program

September-December 2025
Phase 3: Pilot Phase during Fall Program Sessions

January 2026
Phase 4: Launch Phase during Winter Program Sessions

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions or want additional information, please contact: