Starting your own Capital Campaign designed to raise $500,000 or more.

Your Very Own Capital Campaign -- Part 4

PHASE FOUR – Getting Ready For Your Campaign

If the Feasibility Study recommended that you have the proper resources to proceed with a Capital Campaign then you will need to begin to set up you campaign structure.

A. Needs list - Put your immediate goals and priorities in the form of a "needs" list. Discuss why funds are needed and what is hoped will be accomplished by a donor's gift. This is essentially a shopping list for individuals, foundations and corporations to underwrite specific program costs if they desire.

Another list that should be available is a "Wish List" of items that could be given in-kind (i.e., computers, paper, paint, office items, etc.). Individuals will often give a larger donation if there is an indication that their gift will be used specifically for what they are most interested in supporting; thus, the lists give them more options on giving when they may have originally thought that they could not have given more substantially.

B. Brochures and Printed Materials - Developing letters, brochures, pledge forms, gift transmittal forms, and reports are a vital part of any campaign. These documents keep the campaign on track. It will allow for easy flow of ideas and plans to get from the leadership to workers, from your organization to the public, and from donors back to your office in an efficient manner.

Early on in a campaign these materials should be developed by a PR committee and fundraising consultant or specialist. Proper 'thank you's' sent out within two weeks are a must. Actually several 'thank you's' should be sent from the president, executive director, and any client that was helped. This will increase future gifts and establish credibility.

C. Donation Acceptance Capabilities – Proper accounting of funds should be current and available for review by the public at all times. Develop an easily trackable donor management system or buy specific fundraising software. This will lend credibility and structure to your efforts.

Decide whether you will accept gifts online for convenience of your supporters and donors. There are several relatively inexpensive donation processing companies that you should investigate.

D. Select a Schedule or Calendar Of Events - Decide when you want to kick off the campaign. Then backdating, set the upcoming timetable of events in place. It will be important to stay with a set time schedule so that leaders and workers will not become discouraged with what seems to be a lack of progress. Proper communications though periodical progress reports will also help keep your campaign on track.

E. Leadership Recruitment - It is desired that many leaders will have been identified from the confidential Feasibility Study. However, a steering committee of 3 board members and 3 prominent business or community leaders should be formed to recruit the overall chairperson for the drive. This steering committee should begin meeting immediately once the kickoff date has been set. This committee will also help the Chairperson recruit his or her Campaign Leaders.

THE FINAL PHASE -- GO, GO, GO

Once the campaign chairperson has been recruited, then he/she should begin selecting the volunteer campaign team needed. As this is underway, a list of prior contributors should be compiled and researched. This research should give an idea about the extent of the current donor base and how much it should be expanded.

Conduct your campaign in a very positive and open manner with the public and donors. First, ask for donations from all of your past supporters, members and board of directors as these are your “In House” supporters.

Only then can you begin the next step of asking top contributors and foundations. This sends a clear signal that your organization is committed to the goal of achieving your stated objective.

Next, you should ask for donations from your "Lead" Gifts and Major Gift prospects. This will account for about 50% of your total fundraising goal. Therefore, these gifts must be sizeable.

Finally, only approach the general public as you are close to achieving your campaign goal. The announcement is made through media outlets that the majority of your objective has been achieved and you would like to include any supporters from the public at large.

By following these steps, you are sure to achieve a successful fundraising goal. You will also have achieved tremendous good will from among the public toward your nonprofit organization.

Also See...

Your Very Own Capital Campaign -- The Beginning, Part 1

Your Very Own Capital Campaign -- Phase One and Two, Part 2

Your Very Own Capital Campaign -- The Feasibility Study, Part 3

Your Very Own Capital Campaign -- Final Phase, Part 4