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

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into the delicate art of managing donor expectations when their funding ideas don’t align with your organization’s mission.

Drawing from a real-life scenario, they explore what to do when a wealthy donor offers a significant contribution—but with a catch. The donor’s vision, in this case, starting a goat farm in Africa, doesn't match the organization’s strategic goals or mission. How do you navigate this complex situation without alienating the donor?

Amy and Andrea share practical advice from a discussion with their CEO Roundtable, emphasizing the importance of sticking to your organization’s strategic plan while tactfully engaging donors in meaningful conversations.

Discover strategies for redirecting donor interests, avoiding mission creep, and preserving relationships—even when the proposed project doesn’t fit. Learn how to buy time, leverage your board, and maintain transparency with donors, all while upholding your organization’s long-term goals.

Key takeaways include:

Andrea and Amy also highlight one of Capital Campaign Pro’s innovative services: the monthly CEO Roundtable, where nonprofit leaders from around the globe come together to discuss challenges and solutions related to capital campaigns. This episode is packed with wisdom for nonprofit leaders on how to handle tricky donor situations with grace and strategic foresight.

Tune in to learn how to keep your campaign on track, preserve donor relationships, and confidently steer your organization toward success.

Visit CapitalCampaignPro.com to learn more about how Capital Campaign Pro can help you manage your capital campaign and navigate these vital donor conversations.

Don't miss this insightful episode on managing donor expectations during your capital campaign!

In this comprehensive episode, Andrea Kihlstedt and Chelsea Lamego dive deep into the critical aspects of managing and reporting on donor funds. Chelsea, co-founder and CEO of FundMiner, shares her expertise on overcoming the complexities of fund management, particularly in large institutions and small nonprofits alike.

The discussion highlights common challenges such as tracking funds, managing restricted gifts, and creating effective impact reports.

Chelsea provides practical advice on where responsibility for impact reporting should lie within an organization, emphasizing the importance of allocating resources wisely and engaging board members. The conversation also addresses the catch-22 of fundraising—how to ensure that the effort to raise funds translates into effective and transparent management that meets donor expectations.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into:

Chelsea also shares her personal experiences and practical tips for making impact reporting a fundamental part of fundraising strategy. This episode is essential for anyone involved in development or financial management, offering actionable strategies to enhance donor relations and organizational success.

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive deep into one of the most critical questions facing nonprofit leaders: "How do you know if your organization is ready for a capital campaign?" As seasoned campaign experts, Amy and Andrea walk you through the essential indicators that signal whether your nonprofit is prepared to embark on this significant fundraising journey.

They start by debunking a common myth: an anniversary or milestone year does not automatically qualify your organization for a capital campaign. Instead, they emphasize the importance of having a compelling, transformational idea that truly elevates your mission to the next level. Learn why a strategic plan and a well-vetted big idea are crucial before even considering launching a campaign.

Andrea and Amy also discuss the critical role of board engagement. Is your board fully committed and excited about the campaign? Do they understand the project’s implications and are they willing to step up their involvement? Without a solid and supportive board, your campaign is unlikely to succeed.

Another vital point covered in this episode is the necessity of having a history of effective fundraising. The hosts explain why having a track record of securing major gifts and maintaining robust donor relationships is key to campaign readiness. They offer practical advice for organizations that may not yet have asked for million-dollar gifts but have the potential to do so with the right preparation and approach.

Throughout the conversation, Amy and Andrea share real-life examples, including the story of a small arts organization that secured a million-dollar gift despite never having raised such an amount before. This example illustrates that with a compelling vision and the right approach, even smaller nonprofits can achieve big results.

For those who feel their organization might not be ready just yet, don’t worry—Amy and Andrea explain how the pre-campaign planning phase can be a powerful process in itself. By taking the time to prepare, you can build the necessary relationships, strengthen your board, and set the foundation for a successful campaign.

Whether you're on the brink of starting a capital campaign or just exploring the idea, this episode provides actionable insights and expert guidance to help you assess and enhance your readiness.

To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein dive into the art of transforming your capital campaign meetings from boring and unproductive to engaging and effective. Whether you're tired of meetings where attendance dwindles or you’re just looking to inject more energy into your sessions, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies.

Andrea and Amy begin by discussing the critical role that meetings play in the success of a capital campaign. Campaigns often span several years and involve numerous committees and workgroups, making well-run meetings essential to maintaining momentum and engagement. They highlight the importance of designing meetings with clear objectives and meaningful participation, ensuring that every attendee feels valued and involved.

The hosts then break down the elements of a "bad meeting"—those sessions where participants check out mentally, engage in other activities like checking emails, or simply don't show up at all. They contrast this with the features of a successful meeting, where participants are eager to attend, actively contribute, and leave feeling accomplished.

Andrea and Amy provide actionable advice on how to design meetings that resonate with your team. They suggest starting every meeting with a clear purpose, engaging participants right from the beginning, and ensuring that everyone has a role to play. They also share their insights on how to handle different personalities in meetings, such as the overly talkative or the silent observer, ensuring a balanced and inclusive discussion.

The episode includes real-life examples and anecdotes that bring their tips to life, illustrating how effective meetings can propel your campaign forward. They also discuss how to use meetings as opportunities for brainstorming, decision-making, and progress reporting, making sure that every session is a step toward your campaign goals.

Whether you're meeting in person or virtually, the principles discussed in this episode apply across the board. Andrea and Amy emphasize that good meeting design is crucial, no matter the format, and they share their experiences in both in-person and virtual settings. From the importance of clear agendas to the necessity of follow-up tasks, this episode covers it all.

By the end of the episode, you’ll have a toolkit of ideas to ensure your meetings are productive, engaging, and pivotal to your campaign’s success. If you’re involved in leading or organizing meetings for a capital campaign, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t let another meeting pass by without putting these expert strategies into practice!

Join Andrea and Amy as they turn the mundane into the motivational and show you how to make every campaign meeting count. Tune in now and start transforming your meetings today!

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

In this episode of "All About Capital Campaigns," hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into the transformative power of women in philanthropy with their special guest, Kathleen Loehr. Kathleen, a leading expert on women's giving and author of "Gender Matters: A Guide to Growing Women's Philanthropy," shares her deep insights on the unique ways women approach charitable giving and why they are often the unseen yet significant donors in capital campaigns.

Kathleen discusses the rising wealth among women and how they are becoming key decision-makers in philanthropy, often giving more and in different ways compared to their male counterparts. She highlights the importance of curiosity in fundraising, encouraging organizations to ask insightful questions and truly understand the motivations and values of women donors. Kathleen also challenges the traditional fundraising practices that were established with male donors in mind, emphasizing the need to adapt these strategies to better resonate with women and other unseen donors.

Throughout the episode, Kathleen offers practical advice on how to engage women donors effectively, from data mining and asking the right questions to understanding the complexities of women's relationships with money. She also touches on the growing trend of collective giving among women and how role models like MacKenzie Scott and Melinda Gates are inspiring more women to make significant contributions.

Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or new to the world of capital campaigns, this episode is packed with valuable insights that will help you better engage with women donors and unlock their full philanthropic potential. Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation that could transform your approach to fundraising.

Tune in to learn how you can start seeing and valuing the unseen donors in your campaigns!

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

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive deep into the critical roles that board members play in a successful capital campaign.

With decades of experience, Amy and Andrea share practical insights and actionable advice on how to fully engage your board members, ensuring everyone is aligned and contributing effectively to the campaign’s success.

The episode kicks off with a discussion on the importance of evaluating and possibly restructuring your board before launching a campaign. Andrea emphasizes the need to ensure all board members are not just present, but also fully engaged and excited about the campaign. They discuss how to identify and politely transition those who may not be a good fit for the campaign’s demands.

Amy and Andrea then explore several key roles that board members should take on during the campaign. From selecting the right consultant and making a stretch gift, to serving as advocates and solicitors, the hosts provide a comprehensive overview of how each role can contribute to the overall success of the campaign.

They also discuss the significance of board members making meaningful gifts that are significant to them, regardless of the amount.

The hosts highlight the importance of involving board members early in the process, particularly in the selection of a campaign consultant. Andrea points out that this not only aids in selecting the right partner but also serves as a valuable educational experience for the board members.

A key takeaway from this episode is the idea that not every board member needs to be comfortable with asking for donations, but all should support the fundraising efforts in their own way. Amy and Andrea offer tips on how to identify board members who are natural askers and how to train them for success.

Throughout the episode, Amy and Andrea share practical tips on how to keep board members motivated and engaged, such as involving them in prospect brainstorming sessions and leveraging social media to expand their networks.

If you're preparing for a capital campaign or are in the midst of one, this episode is packed with valuable strategies to help you maximize your board’s potential. Don’t miss the chance to download the free Board Member’s Guide to Capital Campaigns available on the Capital Campaign Pro website under the Resources tab. This guide provides even more detailed insights into board members’ roles and responsibilities during a campaign.

Tune in to learn how to turn your board members into your campaign’s biggest champions, and be sure to share this episode with your fellow board members and fundraising team.

For more board engagement tips, be sure to download our free Board Member’s Guide to Capital Campaign Fundraising. It answers the questions board members most frequently ask, or wish they could ask.

In this eye-opening episode, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt address the critical issue of rampant fraud that can impact anyone, including nonprofits and individuals.

Andrea shares her personal experience of check fraud and offers practical advice on how to prevent it. From using indelible ink pens to the importance of regularly monitoring bank accounts, they cover essential tips to safeguard your finances.

Tune in for a vital public service announcement that aims to protect your personal and organizational funds from fraudulent activities.

Are you worried that a capital campaign might cannibalize your annual fund? If so, you’re not alone! And in this podcast, campaign experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt will tell you what to do to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Amy and Andrea are joined by campaign expert, Xan Blake, in a lively conversation about boards and capital campaigns. Xan suggests that for the early planning phases of a campaign, board members should be in learning mode. Once the campaign plan takes shape, your board will move into a more active role that falls into three buckets: organizing, advocating and participating.

Fundraising is part art, part science. In this episode, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt discuss the fine art of asking donors for advice.