In this episode of the Charity Charge Show, host Grayson Harris sits down with
Joe Kendrick (Executive Director of Christian Mission) and
Lacey Kendrick (VP of Financial Development) from the
YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. The duo discusses the 180-year history of the YMCA movement, the strategic importance of its Christian heritage, and the complex balance between earned revenue and philanthropic impact.
Key Discussion Points
- The Roots of a Global Movement: Joe Kendrick recounts the 1844 founding of the YMCA by George Williams in London and how that original vision of "hope and grace" translates to modern-day Oklahoma.
- The Business of Mission: Lacey Kendrick breaks down the unique nonprofit model of the YMCA: balancing membership dues (earned revenue) with philanthropy to ensure no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.
- Cause-Driven Leadership: How the organization incentivizes mission-alignment among 1,500+ employees, ensuring the "C" (Christian principles) remains the foundation of their service.
- Tackling Community Deserts: A look at the YMCA’s bold expansion plans for 2026, focusing on providing childcare and food security in underserved Oklahoma metros.
- The Power of Storytelling: Moving beyond "gym and swim" to share transformative stories of social mobility and family stability.
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About Charity Charge
Charity Charge
is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the
Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to
bookkeeping,
gift card disbursements, and
state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at
charitycharge.com.
What is The Charity Charge Show - Nonprofit Podcast?
The Charity Charge Show features candid conversations with nonprofit executives, founders, and social impact leaders about what it actually takes to run a mission-driven organization: funding, operations, leadership, and the lessons nobody puts in the annual report.
The show is hosted by Stephen Garten, founder and CEO of Charity Charge, a Public Benefit Corporation founded in 2015 in Austin, Texas. Charity Charge provides financial tools built exclusively for nonprofits, including a credit card underwritten to the organization's EIN with no personal guarantee and no annual fee.
More than 3,000 nonprofits have used Charity Charge to manage their spending.
Learn more at www.charitycharge.com