25 Tips and Ideas for Organizing a Capital Campaign

Capital campaigns are an effective way for nonprofit organizations and other groups to raise money they need for new or updated facilities, equipment, endowments and much more. Collecting a lot of money or pledges in a short window of time can be intimidating at first, so try these 30 tips and ideas to organize a successful capital campaign.

Prep for the Campaign Launch

1. Gauge Your Needs - Talk to your team (this could include staff, volunteers and a board of directors) about their "wish list" for projects to promote in the campaign well before its launch. Then collaborate to assign priorities.
2. Set Your Goal Carefully - It's tempting to set a fundraising goal based solely on the amount of money needed for your project, but you'll also need to consider your ability to raise the dollars needed. You want to set your organization up for success.
3. Conduct a Feasibility Study - Whether you hire a consultant or have your own staff conduct the review, you'll benefit from this information. Good questions to ask include how other local nonprofits are meeting their fundraising goals, whether the community is likely to see the need to donate to your project and the donor population's size and willingness to give.
4. Make a Gift Table/Chart - It may seem elementary, but a physical depiction will help you visualize how close you are to your fundraising goal. You could even divide it up by creating a goal for each "gift level," but be aware you might get one donor who blows the whole plan out of the water (a great problem to have!).