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What to Do When Your Campaign Timeline Is Unrealistic (But the Board Loves It)
You’re sitting in a board meeting, and someone says it: “So… our goal is to reach our goal by next June, right?” Heads nod. People are energized. The timeline sounds bold and inspiring. And in your gut, you know: There is no way. This is one of the most common campaign tensions I see: a timeline that looks great on a slide, but doesn’t match your donor pipeline, internal capacity, or external realities. The good news? You don’t have to choose between being the “no” person and
Frances Roen
5 days ago3 min read


Three Practical Tips to Engage Your Board in Year-End Giving
Looking for easy ways to engage your board in year-end giving? Try our top 3 ideas!
Frances Roen
Oct 283 min read


Your First Five Gifts: Why They Matter More Than the Next Fifty
Early campaign gifts don’t just fund your project — they define its spirit. Discover why the first five gifts matter more than the next fifty.
Frances Roen
Oct 173 min read


The Real Cost of Hiring the Wrong Consultant (or None at All)
Examples of who to hire as a consultant and why.
Frances Roen
Oct 93 min read


Developing Leads Throughout the Life of a Campaign
When a campaign begins, most organizations focus on the donors they already know can make a major gift. That’s natural—you need to test...
Frances Roen
Sep 192 min read


When They Don’t Call Back: How to Get A “Yes” for Your Feasibility Study Interviews
How to Get A “Yes” for Your Feasibility Study Interviews
Frances Roen
Aug 153 min read


How to Use Community Ecosystem Insights to Strengthen Campaign Readiness & Case Development
A future-facing lens through community ecosystem forecasting.
Frances Roen
Jul 313 min read


Your Capital Campaign Needs a Communications Plan
A campaign communications plan is your roadmap for how you’ll keep people informed and inspired throughout your capital campaign journey.
Frances Roen
Jul 183 min read


You've Had A Viral Fundraising Campaign. Now What?
You've had a viral moment. Your board is asking you to repeat it. Here's how to set expectations with your board, your executive director, and your fundraising department after you've gone viral.
danaehudson
Jul 33 min read


Why Supported Feasibility Studies Don’t Require More Capacity—They Build It
When nonprofits consider a supported feasibility study, one of the first questions they ask is:
“Does this take more of our time?”
Frances Roen
Jun 192 min read


Sleeper Gifts and Bon Jovi: Why Campaigns Can’t Be Built on a Prayer
Campaigns, like real-world change, require more than “thoughts and prayers.” As much as I love Bon Jovi (and I do), we can't build a fundraising campaign on the expectation of a miracle gift.
Frances Roen
May 302 min read


Mastering Capital Campaigns: Sidestepping Common Mistakes
What are the most common mistakes around capital campaigns? We have listed them here and ways to avoid them.

Francie Nelson
Apr 143 min read


Capital Campaigns in a Down Economy: Readiness Matters More Than Ever
A tough economy is not the time to gamble on shaky readiness for a capital campaign. Here's how to invest in your fundraising infrastructure
Frances Roen
Apr 92 min read


Capital Campaign Costs vs. Project Costs: Budgeting for Success
Embarking on a campaign, the excitement is often centered on the project, but if you don’t budget for the campaign itself, you risk failure.
Frances Roen
Mar 34 min read


Your Campaign’s GPS: The Role of Strategic Planning in Fundraising Success
Strategic planning is not just helpful—it’s essential groundwork for campaign planning. Here's why.
Frances Roen
Feb 112 min read


The Three Pillars of a Successful Capital Campaign
We're breaking down the three pillars of a successful capital campaign and why each one is critical to your org's success.
Frances Roen
Jan 244 min read


Why You Need a Depth Chart for Your Capital Campaign
A depth chart is a critical tool in your campaign planning effort. Here's why.
Frances Roen
Mar 18, 20243 min read


Charting a Course for Growth in the New Year, Part 2: Prioritizing Your Priorities
How do you figure out what priorities are crucial for fundraising success, especially when everything feels urgent?
Frances Roen
Dec 19, 20233 min read


The Case for Starting Year-End Donation Planning in September
The advantages of a September start to your year-end donation planning.
Frances Roen
Sep 10, 20233 min read


Staffing Up for Success: A Guide to Preparing Your Nonprofit for a Capital Campaign
Capital campaigns require staff with specialized skills and intensive commitment. Building the right team is a vital first step.
Frances Roen
Aug 9, 20233 min read
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