Launching a capital campaign is a transformational moment for any nonprofit. However, success doesn’t come from wishful thinking—it comes from careful planning, strategic execution, and ongoing adaptability. Too often, organizations rush into fundraising without the right foundation, only to face roadblocks that could have been avoided.
At Fundraising Sol, we guide nonprofits through a three-step process that ensures they’re not just ready to raise funds, but positioned to build long-term donor relationships, strengthen their internal systems, and exceed their goals.
Let’s break down the three pillars of a successful capital campaign and why each one is critical to your organization’s success.
Pillar 1: Pre-Campaign Planning – Laying the Foundation for Success
Before you start asking for gifts, you need a plan. Pre-Campaign Planning is the foundation that ensures your organization is strategically, operationally, and financially ready to embark on a multi-year fundraising effort.
Why It Matters
Jumping into a campaign without assessing your readiness can lead to stalled efforts, missed goals, and frustrated stakeholders. Preplanning helps you:✅ Define your vision – What is the purpose of this campaign? How does it align with your organization’s long-term strategy?✅ Assess internal capacity – Do you have the staff, systems, and resources needed to execute a major campaign?✅ Ensure board & leadership alignment – Are your key leaders engaged and committed to making this campaign a success?
What’s Included in Pre-Campaign Planning?
Developing a clear roadmap with goals, budgets, and timelines.
Assessing fundraising capacity to determine if the goal is realistic.
Drafting a compelling case for support to inspire donors.
Identifying key prospects and understanding who will champion your campaign.
Think of preplanning as the blueprint—without it, you’re building a house without a foundation.
Pillar 2: Guided Feasibility Study – Creating the Roadmap
If preplanning is the foundation, the feasibility study is the roadmap. A Guided Feasibility Study allows you to test your preliminary campaign goals, gather donor insights, and refine your strategy before launching full force.
Why It Matters
Many organizations underestimate the importance of testing their campaign plan with key stakeholders. Here’s what the data tells us:
📊 61% of organizations conduct feasibility studies before launching a capital campaign.
📊 33% of those organizations increased their campaign goal based on the study’s findings.
📊 Organizations that complete feasibility studies are twice as likely to strengthen donor relationships and improve fundraising strategies.
What Happens During a Feasibility Study?
Engaging key donors and stakeholders to gauge their interest and support.
Identifying potential campaign leaders and understanding their willingness to participate.
Refining the case for support based on donor feedback.
Determining next steps to enhance success and ensure all elements of the campaign are aligned.
With a feasibility study, you’re not just guessing—you’re gathering real insights from the very people who will make or break your campaign.
Pillar 3: Ongoing Campaign Counsel – Keeping Your Campaign on Track
Executing a capital campaign is a long and complex journey. Having a plan is one thing—navigating obstacles, donor hesitations, and campaign fatigue is another. That’s why ongoing campaign counsel is essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring success.
Why It Matters
Campaigns are dynamic. They require adaptability, persistence, and consistent engagement with donors, staff, and leadership. A strong campaign management strategy ensures that:
🔹 The campaign stays aligned with your original goals.
🔹 Challenges are identified early and addressed with proactive solutions.
🔹 Major gifts and leadership support continue to grow throughout the process.
How Ongoing Counsel Helps
Facilitating campaign committee meetings to keep momentum high.
Training board and staff on how to make effective donor asks.
Tracking donor engagement and ensuring follow-up happens promptly.
Adjusting fundraising strategies to maximize results as the campaign progresses.
Ensuring team well-being so staff and volunteers don’t burn out along the way.
Successful campaigns don’t happen by accident. They require ongoing strategic adjustments, relationship-building, and expert guidance to keep everything moving forward.
Final Thoughts: Your Path to a Successful Campaign
A capital campaign isn’t just about hitting a fundraising goal—it’s about strengthening your organization’s fundraising capacity for years to come.
By focusing on: ✔️ Pre-Campaign Planning to ensure readiness, ✔️ A Guided Feasibility Study to refine strategy and secure donor buy-in, and ✔️ Ongoing Campaign Counsel to maintain momentum and overcome challenges,
your nonprofit can execute a campaign that not only meets its financial goal but also deepens donor relationships, strengthens operations, and positions your organization for long-term success.
If you’re considering a capital campaign and want to ensure your success, let’s talk. Contact Fundraising Sol today to learn how we can guide you through every step of the process!
Frances Roen is a Georgia girl at heart, and has been graciously adopted by beautiful, snowy Minnesota. She is a forty-something daughter, friend, mom, wife, and entrepreneur, and is always on the look-out for a perfectly
fried piece of chicken.
Frances is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) with nearly 20 years of experience fundraising and has raised over $200M for nonprofits. She has held fundraising positions at The Bakken Museum, Augustana Care Corporation, and YouthLink and consulted with dozens of nonprofit clients across the globe. In these roles, she has been responsible for all aspects of fundraising including comprehensive campaigns, major and planned gifts, annual funds, events, communications, corporate partnerships, and volunteers.
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