A Surefire Way to Raise More Than You Ever Imagined

There’s one surefire way to raise more money than you ever imagined for your organization. It’s not simple or quick or easy, but it’s practically guaranteed.

The surefire way to raise more than you ever imagined is through the power of a capital campaign.

Capital campaigns are magical because they require nonprofit leaders to implement fundraising best practices with the added bonus of deadlines and pressure. There’s immense pressure not to fail because the goal is so huge.

The challenge (and the opportunity) is to come up with a vision so big and so bold that you cannot fail.

3 Reasons NOT to Have a Capital Campaign

Before we delve into the immense power of capital campaign fundraising, let’s look at a few reasons you shouldn’t have a capital campaign.

1. You need more money.

It’s important to understand that you can’t have a capital campaign simply because you need more money. Your reason for a campaign must be more strategic and inspiring.

If you simply need to raise more money, try raising major gifts as part of your annual fund instead.

2. You’re celebrating an anniversary.

You also can’t have a campaign simply because you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary. Your donors don’t care enough about an anniversary to dig deep and give a transformational gift. However, an anniversary might inspire transformational ideas.

3. You want a fundraising-ending endowment.

You can’t have a campaign because you want a big enough endowment that you don’t need to continue fundraising.

Campaigns are about transformation.

Transforming your organization, your impact, your community, the people you serve, and your organization. That’s why you need a big bold vision to make the power of campaign fundraising work.

5 Steps to Begin Considering a Capital Campaign

Here are the first few steps to get you headed toward a capital campaign. This might take a year or more to figure out, but it’s worth it.

1. Start with a ‘Big Bold Vision’.

Start with a strategic planning process and some blue-sky visioning. What’s the biggest vision your leaders can imagine for the next decade for your organization? What would it take to get there?

2. Get board buy-in.

Your board members need to agree, generally, that this is the direction the organization is headed and that you (and they) will do whatever it takes to get there. Your vision likely involves big changes at your organization. Initially, the board should vote that you’re going to move ahead and seriously explore the opportunity to realize the vision.

3. Invest in expertise.

Now is where the rubber meets the road. Is your board willing to invest in the big vision? Regardless of the vision and the project, you will likely need expertise beyond that of your current staff and board members. That may mean hiring an architect or starting to work with a commercial realtor.

4. Assess your needs and readiness.

It’s time to assess whether your current team has the expertise and experience to develop and implement a capital campaign. Do you have someone who has led multiple campaigns from start to finish and understands campaign strategy? Do you have someone who has experience in soliciting seven-figure gifts?

5. Hire the help you need.

Unless you have people on your team with extensive campaign expertise, you will want to hire help.

Do some research and ask for referrals and recommendations. Interview three or four campaign consultants to learn what they offer and how they can help you plan for a successful campaign.

Capital Campaign Fundraising Can be Incredible

I told you it at the start of this post that this wasn’t going to be quick or easy. But if you take the time necessary to plan your campaign well, you will raise more than you ever imagined.

Three Free Resources

Additionally, did you know I have a weekly podcast called All About Capital Campaigns ? Check it out here!