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

In this episode of "All About Capital Campaigns," Andrea Kihlstedt, co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro, delves into the intriguing world of donor-advised funds and community foundations, breaking down their complexity and revealing how they can be a game-changer for your fundraising efforts.

With guest expert Laura Young, a former vice president at the Maine Community Foundation and a seasoned capital campaign consultant, this episode offers a rare insight into both the advantages and the subtleties of engaging with community foundations.

Laura shares her journey from consulting to managing philanthropic efforts and explains why donor-advised funds can be a smart choice for donors looking to make a significant impact while gaining tax advantages. The discussion also covers practical tips for development directors on how to navigate and leverage relationships with community foundations to support their organizations' goals.

This episode is packed with actionable advice, including how to:


Approach community foundations and integrate their focus areas with your organization's mission.


Use donor-advised funds to streamline giving and engage younger generations in philanthropy.


Build and maintain strong relationships with donors who contribute through community foundations.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, a development professional, or simply interested in the mechanics of philanthropic giving, this episode provides valuable insights into making the most of community foundations and donor-advised funds.

Tune in to learn how these vehicles can provide strategic advantages to your fundraising efforts and help you connect more deeply with your donors.

Join hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt as they unravel the complexities of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) in retirement accounts and how they can become a strategic opportunity for philanthropy.

Learn why fundraisers must grasp this concept, empowering them to engage donors effectively and maximize charitable giving potential. Dive into real-life examples and practical insights to navigate RMDs confidently, ensuring donors' philanthropic goals align seamlessly with their financial planning.

In this episode, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt provide more insight into engaging the wealthiest people in town for your campaign. Listen to learn how to identify, research, and cultivate them for your capital campaign.

In this episode of "All About Capital Campaigns," hosts Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein tackle one of the most challenging aspects of capital campaigning: identifying and securing lead donors. If your nonprofit is grappling with a shortage of lead donors or struggling to predict where significant campaign contributions will come from, this episode is a must-listen.

Andrea Kihlstedt sets the stage by explaining the importance of the gift range chart and the depth chart—two critical tools in capital campaign planning. She details how these tools help organizations strategize the number and size of donations needed to meet campaign goals, and more importantly, how they guide the identification of potential lead donors.

Amy Eisenstein simplifies these concepts further, discussing how different types of organizations might adjust their gift charts based on their donor base. She uses relatable examples, like comparing donor bases of an animal shelter versus an independent school, to illustrate how these charts are modified.

The conversation also covers the real-world challenges nonprofits face in filling the top tiers of their gift range charts. Amy and Andrea discuss strategies for engaging potential donors who may not initially seem capable of making top-tier donations but can become key contributors through strategic cultivation and multiple gift requests.

Listeners will gain insight into the practical use of the depth chart, learning how to populate it with names against each gift level and how it serves as a dynamic tool guiding donor engagement throughout the campaign.

This episode is packed with actionable advice, including how to:


Use gift range and depth charts to strategically plan your capital campaign.


Identify and engage potential lead donors based on their capacity and relationship with your organization.


Adjust your fundraising strategies according to the breadth and depth of your donor base.

For more resources, visit our website at capitalcampaignpro.com where you can access tools like our readiness assessment to help determine if your organization is prepared for a capital campaign.

Whether you are a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, understanding these fundamental aspects of campaign planning will enhance your ability to secure the vital lead gifts that drive campaign success. Tune in to empower your fundraising team with the knowledge and tools necessary to transform your campaign's potential into reality.

To see if your organization is truly ready for a capital campaign, download this free Readiness Assessment https://capitalcampaignpro.com/assess - This guide will help you evaluate six aspects of your organization, including the board and your case for support.

In this episode of "All About Capital Campaigns," we dive into an enlightening conversation with Esther Landau, the Senior Director of Advancement at The Arc of San Francisco. Join host Amy Eisenstein as she explores the strategic planning and execution behind successful capital campaigns, focusing on The Arc's innovative approach to expanding its programs and services.

Esther shares the origins of their campaign, rooted in a strategic planning process with stakeholders, aimed at enhancing program accessibility by addressing staffing and compensation. We delve into the campaign's journey, highlighting its mid-point status and the critical role of a feasibility study in refining their messaging to resonate more deeply with potential donors.

Esther's insights into the nuances of donor engagement, staff compensation, and the impact of waitlists on both the community served and potential supporters offer a rich narrative on the challenges and triumphs faced by nonprofits in the fundraising arena.

Amy and Esther discuss the importance of maintaining annual fund contributions during a capital campaign, offering practical strategies for navigating donor expectations and ensuring sustained support for ongoing operations. They tackle the unforeseen hurdles of the campaign, sharing valuable lessons learned from engaging with donors and the community through innovative communication methods, including the strategic use of video testimonials and personalized outreach.

As we journey through The Arc's campaign, this episode illuminates the complexities and rewards of capital campaigning, offering actionable advice and inspiration for nonprofit leaders looking to embark on their fundraising ventures. From the strategic use of donor discussion guides to the importance of board member engagement and leveraging technology for donor outreach, listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the ingredients for a successful capital campaign.

Tune in to this episode of "All About Capital Campaigns" for a deep dive into how The Arc of San Francisco is transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and impact, setting a benchmark for excellence in nonprofit fundraising.

To see how other nonprofit organizations have found success through Capital Campaign Pro's unique model, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/clients/

In this episode of "All About Capital Campaigns," join fundraising experts Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein as they dive deep into the essence of giving through personal stories and insights.

Discover the profound impact of building genuine relationships with donors and learn how personal connections can transform the landscape of fundraising.

Andrea shares her touching experience with a theater company in New York, highlighting the strength of loyalty and the remarkable effect of personal care in donor relations. Amy adds to the conversation by recounting her involvement with a food pantry, demonstrating how emergencies can foster increased generosity among already supportive donors.

Together, they explore the surprising revelations of their own philanthropic actions, shedding light on the unexpected joy and fulfillment that come from giving more than once a year. Through these personal anecdotes and expert advice, this episode offers valuable lessons on engaging donors, expressing gratitude, and the importance of maintaining communication, especially during challenging times.

Whether you're a fundraiser looking to deepen your approach to donor engagement or a donor curious about the impact of your contributions, this episode will leave you inspired to foster stronger connections within your charitable endeavors.

For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources