
Capital Campaigns

What kinds of things should nonprofits look at, and seek advice on, if they are considering embarking on a campaign? In this video, Orr Group leaders discuss three critical components: 1) the need for a big idea and a big vision to motivate and inspire donors 2) the value of a dynamic, authentic and credible…
If one of your largest donors asked you what would transform your organization—what would “take it to the moon” in terms of helping more people and having more impact—would you have an answer? Though capital campaigns are usually more practically focused than that, if you’re in a capital campaign, you ought to have an answer to the question…
I went to the movies to see the movie, “First Man,” last weekend because I was interested in what happened July 20, 1969. This reminded me of a capital campaign...
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “Some people have all the luck.” And if you’re halfway reasonable, you wish you were one of those luck-struck folks—particularly if you’re working on a capital campaign...
I spent an hour talking with a client, Jenny, about capital campaign goals. She’d try them on and then toss them off again as though she was getting dressed in the morning and couldn’t decide what to wear...
It’s a rare day that I don’t spend two hours or more on the phone coaching groups of three to six people as their organizations get ready for capital campaigns, which often involve virtual capital campaign meetings...
Your organization is working on a large project; maybe it’s a new building, a renovation or another ambitious undertaking. Projects like these are complicated, and one of the most important parts of the process is determining how to pay for it...
In applying for funding or recruiting executive leadership, nonprofits are acutely aware of the competitive landscape before them and the impacts of these processes’ outcomes. However, when navigating a critical moment in nonprofit real estate, a mission-aligned approach may not seem plausible...
As you know, capital campaigns rely on very big gifts for their success. In most campaigns, 10 big gifts account for more than 50 percent of the campaign goal. So to have a successful capital campaign, you’ve got to be able get some very big gifts from a few wealthy donors...
You’re planning a capital campaign to raise somewhere between $6 and $10 million. It’s based on a design of a building plan that’s just been finished. The costs are still a stab in the dark and it’ll take some time to estimate the real numbers. But on their way out of the meeting when the new building design was approved, three enthusiastic board members decided they wanted to make a big gesture of support...