What does the image of boot camp evoke for you?
Exercise, sweating, military training, intensity? Probably all the above.
According to a quick Google search:
A boot camp workout is basically a type of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — bursts of intense activity alternated with intervals of lighter activity.
For centuries, soldiers in armies everywhere have been expected to be in good shape with strong endurance. The term “boot camp” dates back to the Spanish-American War. Military recruits in the United States wore leggings known as “boots,” so their training camp became known as boot camp.
And the name stuck. But what does that have to do with fundraising?
The Concept of Fundraising Boot Camp
When the pandemic started, Andrea (my Co-Founder at the Capital Campaign Toolkit) and I knew that many organizations needed money fast! While we don’t believe in “fast fundraising” per se, it can be done in certain circumstances, under the right conditions.
Think about natural disasters or other types of emergency fundraising. In those cases, a lot of money is raised in a relatively short amount of time.
A Concept Born in Response to COVID
Although COVID-19 was considered an emergency, it wasn’t the same as a literal tsunami or super storm. The waves of pain for nonprofits and the individuals who lead them were slow and steady, and at the same time, uncertain.
In response to the pandemic, we developed an 8-week mini-version of a capital campaign fundraising strategy to help organizations raise the money they so urgently needed.
Participants learned the most strategic and impactful capital campaign strategies and applied them to an urgent case for support in a supportive environment. The results were astonishing!
Peer Support is a Key Ingredient for Success
Part of any boot camp experience is being surrounded by peers who are going through the same experience to cheer you on and commiserate with you.
Fundraising can be a lonely, isolating experience. Having a supportive community of peers is more valuable than you might imagine. The accountability and motivation which accompanies peer group learning is significant and shouldn’t be discounted.
We were on to something with this scaled-down campaign model that thrived on peer support.
Principles of Capital Campaign Fundraising, Scaled Down
A “mini-campaign” (as we referred to it) applies the timeless best practices of traditional capital campaign fundraising and scales everything down into timely, actionable steps.
This modified small-scale campaign revolves around a number of capital campaign core principles:
- Ask for gifts that are over and above ongoing annual gifts. Since capital campaigns raise money for items that are not part of the operating budget, donations made to them are in addition to those that are given to support operations.
- Have a compelling case for support. Why donate to your cause? Your case for support must be exciting and inspiring while explaining how its success will benefit your constituents and community.
- Rely heavily on large gifts. In a full-scale capital campaign, at least half of the total goal is raised from around ten large gifts. The primary focus is on your organization’s top donors who are likely to give large donations.
- Concentrate on one-on-one, personalized solicitation. Since these campaigns rely on a handful of large gifts, you must solicit them in highly personalized ways. Building close relationships with prospective donors is a must.
- Engage top-level volunteers. Senior volunteers should play integral roles in planning and implementing a the campaign. Some of the top-level volunteers (like the campaign chair or board chair) often solicit the largest gifts.
- Follow a strategic order of solicitation. You’ll start by soliciting the largest potential donors and those closest to the organization before broadening your attention to other donors. Securing the largest gifts first allows you to clarify and finalize your goal.
The plan for this sort of scaled-down campaign effort is built around a gift range chart, not unlike a full-scale capital campaign. This chart (also called a gift pyramid) reflects the number of gifts you need at each level. With this chart in mind, you’ll develop a list of potential lead donors and supporters — including board members.
Putting the plan together involves engaging your prospective lead donors in conversations to secure their buy-in. Then you’ll solicit donors for major gifts using modified techniques and watch the money roll in!
Lessons Learned from Our Scaled-Down Model
Nearly three years after our first cohort, we’ve adjusted and expanded this eight-week program to help everyday fundraisers — just like you — achieve extraordinary results. Participants have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in a relatively short period of time by applying tried-and true-campaign strategies on a small scale.
With the support and encouragement of our boot camp facilitators and cohort colleagues, participants feel the burn of the boot camp environment. The pressure is on to raise big bucks in a short amount of time. It’s intense!
The peer pressure, shortened timeline, and peer support all work in tandem to provide the perfect program for everyday fundraisers to raise significant dollars in a short period of time. But you don’t have to take my word for it…
As of today, we have raised $108,000, including $40K in matching funds. We should blow our $150K stretch goal out of the water! And the best news is that this early success has allowed us to post our Development Coordinator position which will add a second full-time staff member dedicated to fundraising. This process has been incredibly helpful to us!
Jill Henke — Gateway Pet Guardians, Development Director
Here’s what another recent participant said:
The boot camp program was terrific! It was well organized. It was also very concrete. Most importantly, you were accessible. You answered any questions we had, whether they were posed during a session or emailed to you in between scheduled Zoom meetings.
Marjorie Frankel Nathanson — Hunterdon Art Museum, Executive Director
You Can Do It Too!
If this scaled-down campaign process sounds intriguing to you, you’re in luck! Our next Campaign Boot Camp cohort will begin in six weeks and we’d love to have you join us in the New Year. During this intensive eight-week program, you’ll:
- Learn campaign best practices.
- Draft an inspiring case for support.
- Develop and practice in-person and virtual solicitation techniques.
- Solicit your biggest and most loyal donors for lead gifts.
- Mail and email your full donor list to achieve total participation.
Participation is limited to 8 organizations: Slots will fill quickly. As loyal readers of my blog, I wanted to give you the first opportunity to participate. Imagine how you’d feel if you could start the New Year with an additional $50,000, $100,000, or even $250,000 more than you planned to raise.
A word of caution: This program is intended for serious fundraisers who are going to show up and put in the work necessary to achieve big success. We’ll guide you through the process and give you the tools and support you need, but we can’t do the work for you. You’ll need the drive and determination to do your part.
For that reason (and because there are only so many slots available), we ask that you apply to join the program. Our program leaders will determine whether you’re a good fit for this amazing opportunity.
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Don’t say, “Maybe next year…”
Instead, make 2023 your year. Make it your moment. Learn how to apply capital campaign strategies to your ongoing fundraising efforts and reap the rewards throughout 2023, and many years to come.
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