Running Capital, Endowment, and Special Project Campaigns

Running multiple campaigns over the past 27 years, I have learned many tips and techniques to share with people who want to run various campaigns. First, you need to read many how-to books, attend training, and become an expert in fundraising. Organizations run into problems, not knowing how to do it and also not having the staff or budget to do the work themselves. Truthfully, the board and organization, not you, need to run the campaign, know the prospective donors, and understand the complexity of the process.

Create your Database

There are some essential things people need to run a campaign. A thorough database that already has the information you need to sort your data, analyze donor giving, and know your top prospects. If you have one, that is great, if not build it before you start your campaign. Check these out for software suggestions. https://www.donorsearch.net/fundraising-software/

Create a Gift Range Chart

Once you are confident in your database, you run a gift range chart for the campaign goal. Fundraising is top-down giving. You start at the top of your chart and work down. You never start at the bottom and work up. Check out this online resource at http://giftrangecalculator.com/ or google gift range calculator. Prospect identification is listing people you believe can and will donate to your campaign. These candidates need to be researched to determine if they can contribute. Analyze each person and ask, do they have a link to your organization, the ability to give, and an interest. If yes, they stay on your list. If not, they will maybe prospects at a lower level in the future.

Write the Case for Support

Then you need to start internally to write the case for support. What are you raising money for and how will this benefit those you serve. An excellent resource is available on Amazon is Developing Your Case For Support by Timothy L Seiler, former Director at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. The essential components of the case include: What need do you have that a campaign will solve? Why is your organization the best one to respond to the problem?: What have you recently accomplished? What is your plan for achieving what you say you are going to do? What will it cost, and how is the money projected to come raised? How will your building be maintained for the next five years after its completion? Why now? Do you have support from people to help with a campaign? What do you want the reader to do?

These steps can take several months and need to be begun six months to a year before you start your campaign.

Tips for a Capital Campaign

Carole J Pence

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