In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt break down the essential quiet phase—the period that can make or break your campaign. They clarify that while it's called "quiet," this phase is actually an active and strategic time for securing major gifts before making a public announcement.

Amy and Andrea share three critical tips to ensure a successful quiet phase:

1️⃣ Identify the right donors – Focus on your biggest potential givers and those closest to your organization, such as board members.

2️⃣ Be patient and strategic – Work through solicitations methodically, starting with top donors before moving down the list.

3️⃣ Stay organized – Track conversations, proposals, and donor progress to keep everything moving smoothly.

This episode offers expert insights into donor engagement, solicitation timing, and how to create momentum for a winning capital campaign. Tune in and set your campaign up for success! 🎙️

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt challenge the common mindset around feasibility study interviews and make a compelling case for expanding the list beyond your current top donors.

A simple question from a prospective client—“Why do we have to interview more than 12 people?”—sets the stage for a deeper discussion about how nonprofit leaders often confuse necessity with opportunity. Andrea recounts a recent conversation that sparked this topic and explains why interviewing 30 or more people isn’t a burden—it’s a strategic move with long-term benefits.

Amy and Andrea break down why feasibility study interviews are not just about assessing campaign readiness but also serve as a powerful tool to build relationships, raise sights, and gather community feedback. This episode offers multiple frameworks for deciding who should be included in your interviews—ranging from concentric circles of connection to categories of influence and gift potential.

The conversation includes:

• Why focusing only on your current top donors limits your campaign’s reach
• How talking to $200 donors may uncover individuals with much higher giving capacity
• The role of community leaders and philanthropic influencers—even if they aren’t donors
• How to use feasibility interviews to inform and activate powerful connectors
• The difference between transactional interviews and strategic relationship-building
• Real client stories that show how consistent communication can lead to million-dollar gifts

This episode also unpacks why including diverse voices, even skeptics or naysayers, helps sharpen your campaign planning and create buy-in across key stakeholder groups. Whether you’re planning your first feasibility study or rethinking your approach for the next one, Amy and Andrea offer practical advice that’s grounded in years of hands-on experience.

Their core message? These interviews aren’t a checklist item. They’re an opening. An invitation. A chance to shape how your community sees your campaign and to build new relationships that could turn into major gifts—sometimes months or even years down the road.

If you’ve ever wondered how to “find new donors” or questioned the value of guided feasibility studies where staff conduct interviews themselves, this episode offers insights worth considering.

Have you been thinking too small with your interview list? This conversation might just change your mind.

Don’t forget to subscribe to All About Capital Campaigns wherever you get your podcasts. If you find value in what Amy and Andrea share, take a moment to rate and review the show—it helps others discover practical, experience-based capital campaign advice.

For more feasibility study guidance, be sure to download our free Ultimate Guide to Capital Campaign Feasibility Studies - https://capitalcampaignpro.com/feasibility-study-ultimate-guide

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt share expert tips on how nonprofit staff, board members, and key leaders can make the most of donor events. Too often, staff members stick together, leaving guests feeling disconnected. Instead, events should be an opportunity to strengthen relationships and move fundraising forward.

Listen in as Amy and Andrea cover essential strategies, including:

• How to prepare before an event, including setting goals and identifying key donors to engage
• Practical ways to make guests feel welcome and included
• How to introduce donors to one another to foster deeper connections
• Why follow-up is just as important as the event itself—and how to do it right'

If your team has ever struggled with feeling awkward or unsure about engaging donors at events, this episode will give you the tools to turn casual conversations into lasting relationships.

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

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt sit down with nonprofit expert Cherian Koshy to discuss the urgent federal funding crisis affecting organizations across the country. With government funding decisions shifting rapidly, many nonprofits are unsure how to secure financial stability. Cherian breaks down the latest legislative updates, what executive orders mean for nonprofit funding, and how organizations can adapt.

This conversation explores key questions:

• What’s really happening with federal funding, and who is impacted?
• How can nonprofits plan for potential funding cuts?
• Is private philanthropy a realistic solution to fill the gaps?
• What strategies can organizations use to advocate for continued support?

If your organization depends on federal grants or contracts, this episode is a must-listen. Learn what steps you can take now to navigate uncertainty and ensure long-term sustainability.

For more conversations surrounding the recent federal funding crisis, visit the Capital Campaign Pro resources archives.

Volunteers are the backbone of a successful capital campaign—but how do you truly engage, activate, and motivate them to take action? In this episode, fundraising experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explore the key strategies to transform passive supporters into passionate advocates.

From setting clear expectations to creating accountability structures and celebrating wins, Amy and Andrea share practical, proven techniques to help campaign leaders inspire their volunteers and board members. You’ll learn how to assign meaningful tasks, align volunteer efforts with the fundraising cycle, and create an environment where participation is not only effective but also fun and rewarding.

If you’ve ever struggled with getting your board or campaign committee to take action, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover how to build a motivated, energized team that drives your campaign forward.

And if you need expert guidance, the Capital Campaign Pro Team is here to help! Visit our website to learn how we can support you in building a high-performing volunteer network for your next campaign.

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, marketing and strategy expert Seth Godin joins Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt from Capital Campaign Pro for a conversation about storytelling, outreach, and engagement.

Seth shares insights on crafting messages that inspire action and build stronger connections. This discussion explores ways organizations can communicate effectively, especially when clarity and trust are more important than ever.

Whether you're refining your donor outreach or looking for fresh ideas to strengthen engagement, this conversation offers practical takeaways to help you connect with your audience in meaningful ways.

Tune in for an insightful discussion filled with actionable advice on strengthening donor relationships and creating messages that resonate.

In this episode ofAll About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt break down how to plan and run meetings that keep campaign volunteers engaged, energized, and eager to contribute. Discover practical strategies for structuring meetings, creating effective agendas, and ensuring that every participant feels heard and valued.

Drawing from real-life campaign experiences, Andrea shares how well-facilitated meetings helped one organization achieve outstanding financial success over a six-year period, with volunteers so engaged that they didn’t want committees to end. Amy and Andrea offer specific techniques for setting meeting goals, fostering meaningful discussions, and avoiding common pitfalls like unproductive wordsmithing and disengaged participants.

You’ll also learn the benefits of structuring conversations to give everyone “air time,” how to balance input from dominant voices with quieter participants, and why sometimes the best meeting decision is to cancel it altogether. Whether you’re planning in-person or virtual meetings, the tips shared in this episode are designed to boost productivity and build strong volunteer connections.

If you’re interested in learning more about creating compelling meetings or want to explore Capital Campaign Pro’s services, tune in and find out how successful campaigns are fueled by thoughtful planning and enthusiastic participation.

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

In this episode ofAll About Capital Campaigns, we’re sharing the audio from a recent webinar addressing the uncertainty nonprofits are facing due to the federal funding pause in early 2025. While we usually record standalone podcast episodes, this discussion was too important not to repurpose.

Hosts Amy Eisenstein, Andrea Kihlstedt, and Sarah Plimpton of Capital Campaign Pro break down the impact of the funding freeze, what it means for nonprofit leaders, and how to approach fundraising in unpredictable times. They discuss:

• How to communicate with donors in a time of uncertainty

• The role of emergency funding campaigns and scenario planning

• Why staying engaged with funders, legislators, and board members is critical

• Practical ways to support nonprofit staff through the stress of an unstable funding landscape

The conversation also highlights lessons learned from past crises and why nonprofit leaders must stay proactive, adaptable, and connected to their communities.

If your organization relies on government grants, is planning a capital campaign, or is facing financial uncertainty, this episode offers valuable perspectives and strategies.

For additional insights and steps you can take now, check out the full webinar series atcapitalcampaignpro.com/emergency

Don’t miss this essential discussion for nonprofit leaders navigating a shifting funding environment.

In this episode ofAll About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into one of the most pressing challenges for nonprofit leaders: managing a capital campaign on top of an already packed workload. If you’re an executive director or development professional, you know the demands of juggling end-of-year fundraising, annual campaigns, galas, and donor management. Adding a $5 million or $10 million campaign can seem impossible, but Amy and Andrea share practical strategies to make it manageable.

They begin by discussing the importance of setting clear, actionable goals tailored to the unique structure of capital campaigns. Unlike regular fundraising, these campaigns are top-heavy, requiring you to secure large gifts early on. Learn how to use a gift range chart to structure your efforts, break down large goals into smaller, achievable milestones, and maintain momentum without burning out. Amy shares her passion for goal-setting, offering tips on dividing big objectives into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks that drive results.

Andrea emphasizes the power of focused work, offering a simple but effective tactic: dedicating a consistent time block each week solely to securing meetings with key donors. You’ll hear why this time investment can be a game-changer, how to collaborate with board members to open doors, and why even the smallest actions can lead to major funding breakthroughs. They illustrate this through real-life examples, including a nonprofit that successfully secured a $2 million gift by prioritizing top prospects.

Whether you’re facing your first capital campaign or looking for tips to refine your approach, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you prioritize effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and achieve your campaign goals. Plus, Amy and Andrea remind listeners that the quiet phase is where success begins—so staying laser-focused on top gifts is crucial before broadening outreach.

To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital CampaignStep-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, 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!