Minneapolis, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, is proud to announce that Michelle Edgerton, executive vice president and chief advancement officer, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Blackbaud Impact Awards, which celebrate outstanding organizations and leaders who are advancing their missions, strengthening their communities and achieving extraordinary results with technology from Blackbaud, the world’s leading provider of AI-powered solutions for social impact.
Presented by Blackbaud, the awards recognize changemakers across the nonprofit, education, healthcare, foundation and corporate social responsibility sectors who are creating meaningful impact in their communities and around the world.
Edgerton was selected as a finalist for the Outstanding Leadership Award, which honors executive leaders who empower their teams, foster collaboration and innovation, inspire a shared sense of purpose and guide their organizations toward lasting success.
“Michelle leads with integrity, vision and an unwavering commitment to our mission,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “She empowers those around her to think creatively, embrace new opportunities and deliver meaningful results for the communities we serve. This recognition reflects the extraordinary impact she has had on our organization, our culture and our future.”
Edgerton was recognized as a finalist for leading one of the most comprehensive advancement teams in the YMCA movement, raising $36.4 million in 2025 while exceeding the organization’s endowment goal by 25%, engaging more than 10,800 active donors and achieving 100% board participation in giving. Under her leadership, the YMCA of the North also advanced its fundraising capabilities through Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, real-time grant dashboards and Gratavid, strengthening donor engagement and positioning the organization as a leader in philanthropic innovation.
For more than four decades, Blackbaud has partnered with organizations across the social impact ecosystem, including nonprofits, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, foundations and companies dedicated to doing good. The Blackbaud Impact Awards shine a spotlight on customers that are embracing innovation, breaking down barriers and delivering measurable outcomes for the people and causes they serve.
“The stories behind this year’s finalists highlight the incredible ingenuity, resilience and passion that define the social impact community,” said Todd Lant, chief customer officer, Blackbaud. “Across sectors and geographies, these organizations are finding innovative ways to solve challenges, strengthen connections and create lasting change. We’re honored to celebrate their achievements and the impact they’re making every day.”
The Blackbaud Impact Awards continue to grow as a global celebration of customer excellence. The 2026 finalists represent a diverse group of organizations and leaders from around the globe who are transforming how social impact work is delivered. Finalists were selected from nominations spanning multiple sectors, regions and award categories, reflecting the breadth and scale of the Blackbaud customer community worldwide.
Winners of the 2026 Blackbaud Impact Awards will be announced on Aug. 18. Blackbaud will continue the celebration throughout the year, including award presentations and recognition at bbcon 2026 in Columbus, Ohio; London, England; and Sydney, Australia.
To learn more about the Blackbaud Impact Awards, view finalist profiles and stay informed about the winner announcement, visit blackbaud.com/impact-awards.
About the YMCA of the North
The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 170 years ago, the Y seeks to be the leader in experiences that foster wellbeing for people and communities. By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcanorth.org.
About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world's leading provider of AI-powered solutions for social impact. Serving nonprofits, educational institutions, companies committed to corporate social responsibility, and individual change makers, Blackbaud propels impact at scale with the sector’s most intelligent solutions for fundraising and engagement, education solutions, financial management and CSR and grantmaking. With the deepest expertise powered by the world’s largest philanthropic data set, the most connected workflows, and the most powerful impact network, Blackbaud’s solutions are building a future where resources are unleashed at the speed of need. Blackbaud has been recognized by Fast Company, Newsweek, Quartz, Forbes and more for AI innovation, responsible leadership and workplace excellence. Blackbaud has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India and the United Kingdom, supporting users in 100+ countries. Learn more at www.blackbaud.com or follow us on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.