For the Next Generation
Joe Cavanaugh
Founder and CEO, Youth Frontiers
Nicole Sullivan
President, Youth Frontiers
FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
Some define a generation as 20 years. Others, 30. For Youth Frontiers — at this momentous anniversary — we unequivocally can say that, to us, a generation is 35.
Youth Frontiers has grown up. We have gained institutional wisdom over our tenure working with students in schools. That wisdom has given us more to say to more people — young adults, educators, parents, leaders — yet our core message remains the same: character matters.
Every coming-of-age story has its periods of growth, times of stretching beyond previous limits to become something more and achieve something greater. YF is at the beginning of a 2-3 year growth phase. We are making key investments in our staff, critical systems, and programs — investments that will enable us to remain both stable and nimble enough to meet the evolving needs of our community. In fiscal year 2022, those investments meant that we ended with an operational deficit. Due to our healthy cash reserves and Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness, we have absorbed that deficit and remain on track to greater impact.
Youth Frontiers is on the rise. Even as the pandemic shook us, new pieces of our mission fell into place: our innovative programs are deepening and expanding our reach; we’re underscoring our core message in the community; our next generation of leaders at YF is leaning in. Our financial position remains strong, our strategy sound, our people committed.
Last year, we saw a solid rate of programmatic growth. We tripled the number of programs we delivered from the previous year and reached more than 43,000 people. We are growing — fast — because the need for our mission continues to grow. We have programs to help meet that need. We are investing in hiring and training to ensure we have great people to meet that need. To succeed, we must have strong partners to help us meet that need, too.
Will you join us? Will you sign your name to the cause? Will you leave a legacy of character for the next generation, and for all generations to come?
May YF’s 35th anniversary year be a letter to our community, filled with our hopes, dreams and plans for calling a better day to rise — a day when our next generation of leaders is grounded in character and all can thrive.
Sincerely,
Joe Cavanaugh, Founder and CEO & Nicole Sullivan, President
OUR MISSION & VISION
We provide experiences that inspire character, civility and community.
We envision a future where our next generation of leaders is grounded in character.
2021-22 HIGHLIGHTS
338 Youth Frontiers retreats, programs and experiences spread character this year — triple the number we delivered last year!
43,266 students, educators and community members across the Midwest and beyond experienced our retreats. That’s nearly 10 times the people we served last year!
240 schools partnered with us to inspire character and build community.
“I continue to be super impressed with the talented people that visit us from Youth Frontiers. The kids loved them and really made a connection with them. I saw several of our more challenging kids hanging on their every word! SO impressed with the Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreats!”
— Elementary School Counselor, NE
Kindness Retreat
“I’m an 8th grader who went to the Courage Retreat yesterday, and I didn’t get a chance to tell the instructors thank you. It was such an eye opener. I wanted to tell you that you guys had an impact on me. That was an experience that I will never forget. It made me realize how I can be a better person to others and to myself.” — Student Participant, WI
Courage Retreat
After the Respect Retreat, student participants complete a survey about the impact of their retreat experience.
In the 2021-22 school year, 85 percent of survey respondents agree that since the Respect Retreat, they show more respect for others who may not share their views.
Respect Retreat
“To be a good leader, I first need to make sure that I am keeping myself in check. I need to have compassion, perspective, confidence, and presence. If I have these, I will be set to lead others in the right direction.” — Student Participant, IA
Character Academy
2021-22 RETREAT SURVEY RESULTS
Agreed: 90%
Disagreed: 10%
Since the Kindness Retreat, I feel more confident to help someone who is being picked on.
Agreed: 88%
Disagreed: 12%
The Courage Retreat helped me understand how acting with courage can make a positive difference for me and my school.
Agreed: 92%
Disagreed: 8%
[Since the Respect Retreat] I am respectful to all the students in this school, not just my friends.
Agreed: 97%
Disagreed: 3%
Character Academy inspired me to use my leadership to make a positive difference in my community.
FEATURED STORY
It was a chilly, damp morning. Eighth-grader Elizabeth was dodging raindrops and running late. She had just left a conversation with her school counselor about volunteering at a Youth Frontiers retreat at her old elementary school — and now she needed to get to her own. Elizabeth rushed out of the mist and into the middle school gym where her class’s Courage Retreat was just beginning.
“I just remember the gym being warm, not in a temperature sense, but warm, just like in the atmosphere,” Elizabeth said. “Everyone was super welcoming, but all the students were still questioning like, ‘Will I have fun here? Will this be a great day?'”
Elizabeth resolved that, for her part, it would be. “My mom always has raised my brother and I to think, ‘You get out what you put in.’ So I just decided that being all-in was going to lead me to just learn the most.”
After a day of community-building, storytelling, and meaningful conversations, it became clear that Elizabeth’s class had chosen to learn, too. At the end of the retreat, the eighth graders got the opportunity to share one way they will practice courage moving forward. Many stepped up.
“I heard from a lot of kids that I would sort of think of as the troublemakers and the loud kids … just walk up to the microphone and say, ‘Hey, I’m sorry that I bully people, and my act of courage is just to be sticking up for other people instead of being the one people have to stick up against.'”
Buoyed by her experience, Elizabeth left school excited for the next day’s Kindness Retreat and ready to give her all, all over again. According to Elizabeth, it paid off.
“I learned as much being a leader as I did being a participant,” she said. “Just seeing those fifth graders change … it was an amazing experience seeing all of them being more vulnerable or just … being more of themselves.”
For Elizabeth, that’s what the Kindness and Courage retreats were all about. “Youth Frontiers retreats help kids understand how to be the best version of themselves on a deeper level,” she concluded.
“The Honor Retreat was exactly what our staff needed (and many of them didn’t even know they needed it!) It was a wonderful blend of reflection, connection, and entertainment. As a principal with a limited budget, I found this worth every penny.” — Principal, WI
Honor Retreat
“The most meaningful part of the retreat was helping me center myself and remind me of why I started going down this path [of education].” — Teacher, MN
Purpose Retreat
“I have left each workshop feeling more inspired. You have helped to refill my bucket at times when it was pretty empty and for that I am grateful.” — Virtual Conference Participant
Elements Series
SURVEY RESULTS
Agreed: 98%
Disagreed: 2%
After the Honor Retreat, I feel a stronger sense of community with my colleagues.
Agreed: 100%
Disagreed: 0%
The Purpose Retreat reminded me of why I continue in the noble profession of education.
Agreed: 100%
Disagreed: 0%
Because of this conference, I feel more inspired to continue in my important work as an educator.
HONOR ROOM CONCERT SERIES
In January 2022, Youth Frontiers launched a 5-part virtual concert series to honor our educators. Each mini performance featured a talented YF or community musician and an encouraging message from YF programs facilitator, Jane Leyden.
PARENT ACADEMY
“[I valued] the thought-provoking questions and the path to helping young people become the responsible, empathetic adults and parents for the next generation.” — Participant, Spring 2022
Agreed: 100%
Disagreed: 0%
I would recommend this program to other parents.
2021 WEEK OF CHARACTER
In December 2021, Youth Frontiers launched our first Week of Character. In a five-part audio series, Joe Cavanaugh, Founder & CEO of Youth Frontiers; Head of Leadership Frontiers, shared a reflection with nearly 8,000 members of our YF community to offer inspiration and support as we all strive to live with character.
GEOMETRY OF A LEADER
In Spring 2022, Leadership Frontiers hosted our second-annual Geometry of a Leader Conference. Nearly 200 leaders signed up to join us for a chance to to step back, connect and gain new tools for leading with their values even — and especially — when it’s difficult.
2022 SURVEY RESULTS
Agreed: 100%
Disagreed: 0%
The Geometry of a Leader has increased my confidence in my ability to lead with character.
Agreed: 100%
Disagreed: 0%
The Geometry of a Leader has equipped me with tools I need to face today’s leadership challenges.
Agreed: 98%
Disagreed: 2%
The Geometry of a Leader has deepened my commitment to making my workplace and my community better for all.
“As a new business owner, this has been such an amazing experience for me. It made me uncomfortable, which forced me to think and grow as a leader.”
“Being able to talk with peers across all sections of business/nonprofit — safe spaces to talk with different points of view matter. It is support, it is thought diversification, it builds bridges and strengthens our workplaces.”
“As I mentor young professionals, these principles are critical to my ability to authentically support their intention or goals to become the best leaders they can become.”
CHARACTER ANGLE CONVERSATION
Leadership Frontiers’ Character Angle Conversations explored how leaders navigate the tension between “ideal” leadership and “real” leadership. In this first one-hour session, Joe Cavanaugh hosted Tim Welsh, Vice Chair and Head of Consumer and Business Banking at U.S. Bank, and Ann Miller, Talent Development Program Manager at Liberty Diversified International who shared how they are succeeding (and sometimes failing) at cultivating humility and connection in their workplaces and communities. Lively Q&A and small-group discussion allowed participants to share tips and encouragement with each other.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
“Youth Frontiers’ remarkable innovation last year became this year’s platform; our successful experiments with new mediums and audiences became this year’s standard programming. Through all of the changes, our strong balance sheet has provided YF with a stable foundation, enabling us to deliver these experiences and make strategic investments in our program diversification. As content and delivery mediums evolve, the core mission of YF remains the same: to provide experiences that inspire character, civility and community. More and more audiences are seeking the YF experience, eager to get re-equipped with timeless, foundational tools for working through today’s challenges and opportunities. Thanks to the amazing support from our donors, YF continues to exist to provide these programs. Thanks to the amazing work by everyone in the organization, YF continues to deliver these programs and inspire positive change in our communities.”
— Jon Reissner, President, Activar, Inc.; Board Chair, Youth Frontiers
FISCAL YEAR 2022
Ended June 30, 2022
TOTAL REVENUE – $3,579,442
Program Fees: 26%
Donations: 56%
PPP Loan Forgiveness: 18%
TOTAL EXPENSES – $2,953,757
Programs: 74%
Fundraising: 16%
Administrative: 10%
MORE FINANCIAL DETAILS
Fully audited documents are available upon request.
YOUTH FRONTIERS DONORS
Youth Frontiers fuels our mission through a nearly equal split between client program fees and the generosity of our donors. This model reduces costs for schools and nonprofits who cannot afford to pay full price for our programs, while keeping them vested in the experience. It takes the commitment of a community to spread kindness and curiosity, responsibility and respect, compassion and courage. Thank you, our generous donors, for investing in our mission and in the legacy we are leaving for the generations to come.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MISSION ADVISORY COUNCIL & COMMITTEES
Special thanks to the members of our board, mission advisory committee, and local councils who are partnering with Youth Frontiers to lay the foundation for the next 35 years of our mission and beyond.
Ben Tierney, Director of Excellence, Catholic Schools Center of Excellence
Brandi Redburn†, Principal, St. Columbkille Catholic School
Brett Frevert, Managing Director, CFO Systems, LLC
Bridgett Gonzalez‡, Program Officer, Bader Philanthropies
Chase Sutton†, Financial Advisor, Renaissance Financial Corporation
Debbie Finnicum, Guidance Counselor, DC West Middle School
Doug Sutko†, Managing Director, Commercial Banking, First National Bank of Omaha
Dwight Johnson, Retired Chrysler Corporation Executive
Elizabeth Dickson†, School Counselor, Millard South High School
Eric Iverson, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist, Mounds View Public Schools
Forrest Newburg†, VP, Commercial Banking, Union Bank & Trust
Heather Teskey, Chief Marketing Officer, Deluxe Corporation
Isadora Korak, Corporate Responsibility Manager, Winnebago Industries
Jackie Herd-Barber, Community Volunteer
Jan Brown†, Chair, Countryside Community Church
Jane Laughlin†, Principal, King Science & Technology
Jayne Hladio‡, Consultant
Jeff Voelkel‡, Retired, American Family Insurance
Jen Roe Darling, President & CEO, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation
Jim Haver†, Assistant Principal, Lewis Central High School
Joe Cavanaugh*, Founder & CEO, Youth Frontiers, Inc.
Josie McDonnell†, Social Emotional Learning Supervisor, Omaha Public Schools
Jon Reeves, Principal, St. Michael-Albertville High School
Jon Reissner**, President, Activar
Karen Hohertz-Jacobs*, Senior Director, Procurement Operations and Cost Transformation, Best Buy
Kathy English†, COO, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center
Kevin Dasher†, VP, Northwest Bank
Kevin Rotman, Audit Senior Manager, Deloitte & Touche
Dr. Kim Anderson Khan‡, Psychotherapist, Children’s Wisconsin
Kim Saum-Mills†, Executive Director of Leadership and Strategic Planning, Millard School District
Kristal Melbye‡, Parent Coach
Kristi Newburg†, Psychotherapist & CEO, Counseling Connections & Associates
Mark McIlmoyle, Education Leader
Mark Newsome, Chief Financial Officer, Refrigerated Solutions Group
Matt Curtis†, Assistant Principal & Athletic Director, Gretna High School
Dr. Michael Lovett, Adjunct Faculty, University of Minnesota & University of St. Thomas
Michelle McKenna, Counselor, Brookfield East High School
Mitch Dorr, Principal, St. John the Baptist Catholic School
Molly Bell‡, Founder, Bloom For Girls
Nicole Kalley†, Parent, Westside district
Paige Roberts, Principal, Reeder Elementary School
Paul Omodt, Owner and Principal, Omodt & Associates Critical Communications
Renato Westby, Director of New Program Development, Common Hope
Ruban Cano†, Principal, Omaha South High Magnet
Ryan Vandewiele, Vice President & General Counsel, Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc.
Sherri Schendzielos, Assistant Principal, Blaine High School
Tiffany Ogle, TV Host, The Morning Blend
Tim McNeal, Partner, RSM US LLP
Tim Stewert‡, President & Managing Partner of DeWitt
Tom Langseth, Financial Executive, SPIRE Retirement & Investment Services
Will Berigan, Wealth Advisor and President, Shamrock Wealth Management
(Unmarked names designate FY23 Mission Advisory Council member)
*FY22 & FY23 board member
**FY22 & FY23 board chair
†FY22 Omaha Advisory Committee member
‡FY22 Wisconsin Advisory Committee member