Capital Campaigns

Some capital campaigns feel like a long slog. They begin with a big burst of energy and some large gifts from truly committed donors. But a couple of years later when, perhaps, the campaign has reached 70 or 80 percent of the goal, and the same remarkable volunteers continue to gather once a month to strategize about prospective donors, it can be hard to sustain the energy...

If you work with campaign volunteers, you probably wrestle with how to keep their work fresh and exciting. Here’s an exercise you can use to overcome two different challenges you’re likely to face...

Welcome back to #NPPTrendingNow, a weekly video series where NonProfit PRO Editor-in-Chief Nhu Te breaks down the top three coveted stories of the week. Here's what we've got going on for you this week: communicating with Millennials, tips for a share-worthy nonprofit video and an inside look at being a capital campaign consultant...

I was a successful capital campaign consultant. Every one of the campaigns that I worked on from assessment through the campaign reached and surpassed its goal. Was that because of my talent? Because I wave a magic wand?...

As you get ready for a capital campaign, you’ll probably consider hiring a nonprofit campaign consultant. And if you’re like most people, you’ll be under the somewhat misguided impression that you’re totally in the driver’s seat...

Capital campaigns rely extensively on large gifts. It’s common for 50 percent or more of the campaign goal to come from 10 gifts. So, the success of your campaign will depend on your ability to build strong relationships with the people who might make those gifts...

Do you wish you knew the secrets of building stronger relationships with people who might give large gifts to your organization? Do you feel a bit intimidated by people who have lots of money? Do you feel as though you can’t be the real you with donors, because your relationship with them is based on wanting their money? Chances are good that if you weren’t in the fundraising business, you’d never meet or speak with people like your major donors...

Because the goals are high, capital campaigns feel risky. And few people want to be associated with something they fear might not be successful. So you have to take great care in building confidence right from the start. And that starts with getting the right people on board...

Perhaps you’re about to outgrow your building. Or the landlord’s not going to renew the lease, and it’s time to own your own facility. Or maybe you’re thinking about a new, exciting program for your organization that’ll springboard your organization’s services to a new level of excellence...

If you are heading into a capital campaign, your board members will not only be called on to give generously of their own money, but they will be expected to ask their contacts and friends for generous gifts, too. And that’s often a sticking point!