All About Capital Campaigns: Nonprofits, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Toolkit

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All About Capital Campaigns: Nonprofits, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Toolkit

All About Capital Campaigns is your weekly source for nonprofit fundraising advice. Each week hosts Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein, co-founders of Capital Campaign Pro (capitalcampaignpro.com) and special guests, provide practical tips about raising more money for your nonprofit organization. Topics include capital campaigns, feasibility studies, working with your board, donors, major gifts, volunteers, and more. This is a great resource for nonprofit Executive Directors/CEOs, Development Directors, Board Members, or others looking to learn about nonprofit fundraising.

  1. 20 HR AGO

    Navigating Capital Campaigns: Lessons in Leadership and Strategy

    In this episode, Andrea Kihlstedt talks with Alexandra O’Connor about her journey in capital campaign fundraising. From learning the ropes at Community MusicWorks to leading an ambitious endowment campaign at The Gordon School, Alexandra shares insights on donor engagement, strategic planning, and balancing operations with relationship-building. They also discuss the challenges of increasing campaign goals, the power of feasibility studies, and the importance of confidence in fundraising. Whether you're looking to strengthen donor relationships, refine your campaign planning, or gain confidence in making big asks, this episode is filled with valuable lessons. Tune in to hear Alexandra’s journey and discover practical tips to elevate your own fundraising efforts!

    33 min

  2. 28 JAN

    Unlocking the Power of Gift Range Charts for Campaign Success

    In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt reveal the incredible power of the gift range chart, an indispensable tool for any capital campaign. Often called a gift pyramid or table of gifts, this chart does more than outline donation goals—it serves as a comprehensive roadmap for your campaign’s strategy. Amy and Andrea explain how this simple yet complex chart can eliminate the chaos of campaign planning by structuring communications, guiding timelines, and aligning staff efforts. They discuss how tailoring the chart to reflect your organization’s donor base not only helps assess feasibility but also inspires larger gifts. From crafting donor recognition plans to focusing on top-tier gifts, the gift range chart brings clarity and focus to your campaign. Drawing on real-world examples, they highlight how this tool can empower nonprofit leaders to streamline their efforts and engage donors more effectively. Whether you’re launching your first campaign or refining your approach, this episode will leave you with actionable insights to make your campaign more manageable and impactful. To see if your organization is truly ready for a capital campaign, download this free Readiness Assessment. This guide will help you evaluate six aspects of your organization, including the board and your case for support.

    22 min

  3. 21 JAN

    Curiosity and the Art of Fundraising: Building Genuine Donor Relationships

    In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into the often-overlooked power of curiosity in fundraising. They explore how understanding donors' motivations and personal stories can transform your fundraising efforts and create authentic connections that inspire giving. Andrea shares a real-life example of an arts organization and explains why asking meaningful questions—like what drives a donor's passion—is the key to meaningful engagement. Learn practical strategies to prepare for donor meetings, craft tailored asks, and build relationships that lead to sustained support. Discover why the best fundraisers focus on the "why" behind a donor's generosity, and how taking the time to understand your donors can pave the way for campaign success. Whether you're in the quiet phase of a campaign or preparing for a significant ask, this episode will give you actionable insights to enhance your approach and raise more money. Tune in to learn why curiosity isn't just important—it's essential for fundraising success. For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.

    23 min

  4. 14 JAN

    Reframing Fundraising: Strategies to Combat Scarcity Mindset with Mallory Erickson

    In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein sits down with Mallory Erickson, fundraising expert, coach, and host of What The Fundraising podcast. Together, they dive deep into the origins of the scarcity mindset in the nonprofit sector, exploring how this pervasive mentality impacts fundraising practices and organizational culture. Mallory introduces concepts from her new book, What The Fundraising: Embracing and Enabling the People Behind the Purpose, highlighting actionable tools to shift mindset, reduce stress, and build authentic donor relationships. Discover how historical factors shaped the dynamics between funders and nonprofits, creating hurdles that persist today. Learn about the connection between mindset and fundraising outcomes, and how neuroscience supports a shift away from scarcity thinking. Mallory also shares two practical tools—one for the mind and one for the body—to help fundraisers manage stress and stay grounded during high-pressure campaigns. Whether you're gearing up for a capital campaign or navigating the challenges of day-to-day fundraising, this episode is packed with insights to transform your approach. If you’re looking to align your fundraising strategy with personal and organizational well-being, this conversation is a must-listen! If your aren't sure whether or not your organization is ready for a capital campaign, check out the Pre-Campaign Readiness Assessment from Capital Campaign Pro.

    26 min

  5. 7 JAN

    Capital Campaign Clarity: Boosting Impact, Big or Small

    Join fundraising experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt as they unravel the essentials of capital campaigns, from small-scale projects to multimillion-dollar transformations. Discover why size doesn’t define a campaign's success, but its potential to catapult your organization forward does. Through relatable stories, expert insights, and practical tips, this episode explores how campaigns differ from annual fundraising, strategies for securing transformational gifts, and the lasting benefits of building donor relationships. This episode dives into the power of strategic fundraising to achieve long-term impact. Amy and Andrea discuss the importance of tailoring your campaign to specific goals, whether it’s funding a $10,000 project or a $20 million expansion. Learn how to leverage one-time gifts, engage major donors, and maintain strong annual fund contributions while pursuing your big dreams. They also share examples of how campaigns can enhance donor engagement and elevate overall fundraising efforts. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the idea of mini-campaigns as a stepping stone between larger projects. These smaller, focused initiatives not only meet immediate needs but also provide a chance to strengthen donor relationships and practice capital campaign strategies on a smaller scale. Tune in for inspiring examples and practical guidance to help your organization thrive through intentional and impactful fundraising.

    19 min

  6. 30/12/2024

    How to Set the Right Goal for Your Capital Campaign

    In this episode, capital campaign experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt will help you think through the process of determining the right goal for your campaign. You’ll learn that it takes more than simply knowing how much your project will cost. And setting the right campaign goal sets your campaign up for success. ------------- This is an encore presentation originally aired on February 7, 2022.

    21 min

  7. 17/12/2024

    Asking for a Capital Gift an Annual Gift and a Planned Gift in One Meeting

    In this episode, campaign experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt have some fun role-playing examples of asking donors for complex gifts that combine campaign, annual and planned giving. --------     This is an encore presentation originally aired on June 27, 2022.

    18 min

  8. 10/12/2024

    Why Donor Stewardship Matters and Why You Need a Plan

    How do you determine the right price for naming opportunities in your capital campaign? Join Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt as they unravel the art and science behind donor recognition and stewardship. From avoiding common pitfalls in pricing naming opportunities to designing a donor recognition plan aligned with your gift range chart, this episode offers practical insights to elevate your campaign strategies. Discover innovative stewardship ideas, how to navigate DEI considerations in donor recognition, and why thoughtful planning from the outset can make or break your campaign’s success. Whether you're planning your first campaign or refining your approach, this episode is packed with actionable advice to inspire your next steps. ------------ This is an encore presentation originally aired on November 15, 2022.

    19 min
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About

All About Capital Campaigns is your weekly source for nonprofit fundraising advice. Each week hosts Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein, co-founders of Capital Campaign Pro (capitalcampaignpro.com) and special guests, provide practical tips about raising more money for your nonprofit organization. Topics include capital campaigns, feasibility studies, working with your board, donors, major gifts, volunteers, and more. This is a great resource for nonprofit Executive Directors/CEOs, Development Directors, Board Members, or others looking to learn about nonprofit fundraising.

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