The Major Gift Visit – Firing for Effect

Major gifts are the key to successful fund-raising. Major gifts take many forms, often depending on the needs, the goal and the method of solicitation. For the purposes of this discussion, major gifts are the top gifts in a capital campaign that comprise at least 60% of the funds raised. Typically, major gifts in a…

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Campaign Committee Prospect Evaluation

Prospect evaluation during the early parts of a capital campaign is perhaps one of the most awkward activities. The key is to have a well-developed strategy that demystifies the process, puts the campaign volunteers at ease, and draws out clear conclusions about which prospects represent the greatest potential for support. The benefits reaped from candid…

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Capital Campaign Essentials: The Case Statement

There are four essential elements to every successful capital campaign. In our Capital Campaign Essentials series, we provide a quick overview of each of these four elements so that you can successfully grow your organization’s fundraising influence. This article focuses on defining a case and teaching you how to build a case statement. Check out…

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Upgrade Your Capital Campaign Committee

In a well-organized capital campaign, it is the Campaign Executive Committee, or CEC, that understands and assumes responsibility for the success of the campaign. The members of the committee are often serious business professionals in their own right, but each campaign is typically a multi-million dollar project. Therefore, as fundraising counsel, we cannot assume that…

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A Major Fundraising Capital Campaign –Take Your Marks, Get Set, and Go!

Preparing for a major fundraising campaign can be a momentous process in the life of a non-profit organization. Board members, executives, and professionals are excited and probably more than a little anxious as they consider how best to begin the complicated and important process of raising major capital commitments. The objective viewpoint of experienced campaign…

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Research and Study Can Often Open One’s Eyes to Reality

Nonprofit organizations regularly hire fundraising consultants to help them determine the feasibility of undertaking a capital campaign. Often times the management and board of the non-profits have notions and beliefs about fundraising that are not consistent with reality. It is the responsibility of the consultant to diplomatically but firmly correct the misperceptions. This can be…

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Ready, Set, Help – Are We Ready for a Capital Campaign?

One of the most common objections to beginning a capital campaign is that the organization’s leaders do not feel the group is “ready” to begin. How do you know if your organization is indeed ready for a campaign? It’s best to begin with the needs: Are there clear needs that must be funded? Do you…

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