Successful Capital Campaigns

4 Keys to Campaign Success

I have 30 years of fundraising experience including 10 years as a staff fundraiser and 3 rounds of consulting where I've advised more than 100 clients. I've found 4 key elements for a successful campaigns. Review them as you think about a camapign in your future, as you're preparing for one right now, or to evaluate your progress if your in the midst of one.

• Case statement – How compelling is your case? How does your organization benefit your community? What are your critical needs? Is your problem statement clear? Is your solution viable? Are your programs sustainable after initial campaign funding is complete?


• Volunteer leadership – Do you have people of affluence and influence to work on your campaign? Are they willing to open doors to potential pace-setting gift donors? Who is willing to ask for the order? Do you have a campaign chair committed to getting your campaign to goal?


• Financial support – You will need 80% to 95% of your campaign goal to come from the largest 30 to 50 gifts to your camapign. Do you have connections to this type of wealth? For every gift needed, you need 3 potential donors capable of giving at this level; do you know who to visit?


• Organizational readiness – Are your fundraising systems robust enough to help ensure success? A full-time, major gifts officer can handle about 125 prospects. How many prospects do you have and are there enough staff to build personal relationships with them? Does your organization have a strategic plan? Is your president or executive director willing to spend time on the campaign? Will their presence reassure donors you have a visionary leader and a tight-fisted manager who will assure donor funds will be well spent? Is the board committed to the campaign through their confirmation of the case and their willingness to participate in the campaign through their giving and fundraising help?

Of course, there are many ways to deepen these questions and to strengthen your current situation to assure campaign success.

What else have you found in your situation? I welcome your comments.

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