Choosing a Stellar Campaign Leader
Dedicated volunteers are worth their weight in gold to your charitable organization. These high-level volunteers, including your campaign leader, provide credibility and undertake the essential relationship-building that helps attract friends, supporters, and financial resources to your organization.
In a successful capital campaign, the importance of committed, high-performing volunteer leaders simply cannot be overstated. In fact, amid the many decisions you will make in planning a capital campaign, your leader selection could be the single greatest factor that determines your overall success. By evaluating candidates based on the presence of key qualities and attributes, you will be certain to pick a stellar campaign leader.
Passion and Commitment
The most effective leaders will become involved in your campaign because of their commitment to and interest in your organization’s campaign, not solely because of their wealth, connections or willingness to lend their name. Their commitment should encompass several things: belief in your mission, a sincere desire to serve others and the community, and a capacity to communicate those values to others and inspire them to become involved.
Does your campaign leader understand and believe in your organization’s important mandate? Will they be able to express genuine belief in the importance, urgency and value of your campaign? And will they succeed in convincing others that your organization is worthy of their personal support?
Collaboration and a Team Approach
A campaign is an intense effort with many moving parts, involving many people performing a myriad of tasks at different times. Is your campaign leader a team player, willing to collaborate and work with others? Can they efficiently delegate tasks and engage other campaign volunteers? Will they foster a positive atmosphere of openness and respect?
History of Success
Success breeds success. Does your campaign leader exemplify achievement and success? Do they lead a well-run business or institution in your community? Have their projects and organizations been successful in the past? People with a track record of accomplishment will bring knowledge and experience to your campaign.
And, perhaps more importantly, such leaders will attract others who are talented and motivated. People like to be involved with successful people. The opportunity to associate with and work alongside your campaign leader will motivate other business and community leaders to join your campaign. Together, these winners will help build buzz and momentum that will make your campaign irresistible to future volunteers and donors.
Respect and Influence
A great campaign leader must be enthusiastic and willing to open doors to the people who will make your campaign happen. To both engage volunteers and solicit major gifts, having the right person ask is almost always the most essential ingredient for success. Consider these questions:
- Is your campaign leader well-known and highly-regarded within your community?
- Are they someone that others will welcome into their boardrooms, offices, and homes?
- Will potential volunteers listen carefully to what they are saying?
- Will potential donors respond favorably to their encouragement and be willing to join them in committing time and resources to your campaign?
- Is your campaign leader charismatic and convincing?
Willing to Lead by Example
Your campaign leader should be excited about making a leadership pledge or gift. A leadership gift is not always judged entirely by size. The timing of the pledge or contribution can also be critical. Most often, personal commitment to a campaign by the inner core of volunteers begins with confirmation of the first and largest lead gift. Such a gift, typically made by the campaign leader, stimulates others to come forward and rise to the challenge.
A substantial lead gift provides essential leverage for the campaign and significantly affects the strategy and timing that drives the campaign to reach its goal. Essentially, your campaign leader’s substantial and precedent-setting gift will become the most powerful fuel to jumpstart your campaign.
Take the time to choose carefully
The most effective campaign leaders are chosen because they are excellent candidates, not because nobody else wants the job. It can be difficult to find qualified people to fill such an important role. Resist the temptation to fill the position as quickly as possible. The long-term benefits of setting your sights high will far outweigh the short-term delays or frustrations to your campaign. Be patient, thorough, and highly selective. If you follow these guidelines, your campaign leader will bring stellar leadership and extraordinary results to your capital campaign!
Contact Custom Development Solutions for more intensive help with your major gift fundraising, strategic planning, or capital campaigns.