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

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.

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.

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.

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This is an encore presentation originally aired on February 7, 2022.

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.

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This is an encore presentation originally aired on June 27, 2022.

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.

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This is an encore presentation originally aired on November 15, 2022.

In this episode, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into one of the most critical aspects of fundraising success: identifying your top 50 donor prospects.

They discuss why these prospects are pivotal to your campaign's success, how to effectively identify and prioritize them, and strategies for leveraging your inner circle to uncover hidden potential.

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This is an encore presentation originally aired on July 25, 2022.

Do you wonder how to approach the wealthiest individuals in your community about your capital campaign? In this episode, Amy and Andrea give you a new perspective - and some useful tools - to address this crucial step in your capital campaign.

Discover how to identify potential donors, build genuine relationships around shared values, and create opportunities for collaboration that benefit both your mission and your community. Whether you're leading a capital campaign or simply looking to expand your network, this conversation offers actionable tips and inspiration to take the first step confidently.

This is an encore presentation originally aired on April 11, 2023.

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein hosts Melissa Bank Stepno from Helen Brown Group, a leading prospect research firm. Melissa brings her extensive knowledge to explore donor-advised funds (DAFs) and their transformative role in the nonprofit sector. With DAFs becoming a popular charitable giving vehicle, nonprofit leaders often have questions. Melissa explains what DAFs are, their tax advantages, and how they function as a “giving bank account” managed by nonprofits or financial institutions on behalf of donors. Discover the differences between DAF sponsors—community foundations, financial institutions, and single-issue funds like religious organizations—and how each contributes uniquely to the landscape of donor-advised funds.

The episode dives into why donors choose DAFs beyond tax benefits, including simplicity, flexibility, and even anonymity. Melissa addresses a common question among nonprofit professionals: Are DAFs helping or hindering philanthropy? By unpacking both the advantages and challenges, such as the “distance” sometimes created between donor and organization, she sheds light on how fundraisers can build strong relationships with DAF holders and why this knowledge is crucial for campaign success.

Amy and Melissa also discuss essential tools, like the DAFinitive database developed by the Helen Brown Group, which allows nonprofits to research and identify potential high-value DAF donors. Listen in for practical strategies to engage with DAF donors, including tips on how to leverage communication channels and online tools to facilitate DAF giving directly from your organization’s website. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to integrate DAFs into your fundraising strategy, connect with these uniquely positioned donors, and harness the full potential of donor-advised funds to boost your next campaign.

Tune in to hear why understanding donor-advised funds is more important than ever for fundraisers and how DAFs can become a valuable part of your nonprofit’s campaign strategy. 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 much-anticipated findings from the second annual State of Capital Campaigns Benchmark Report. This essential research, conducted by Capital Campaign Pro, unveils key insights into the capital campaign process, providing data-driven answers to questions that have lingered in the fundraising world for years.

Amy and Andrea discuss pivotal takeaways, such as the reassuring evidence that capital campaigns do not detract from annual fund revenue. In fact, for over three-quarters of organizations surveyed, annual funds either held steady or grew during their campaigns, debunking the common fear of "cannibalization."

The hosts also reveal the remarkable role of feasibility studies in enhancing campaign success, emphasizing that organizations who conduct these studies experience improved donor relationships, stronger staff performance, and more effective fundraising systems.

Other enlightening topics include:

Tune in to gain insights, bust myths, and learn best practices that will strengthen your campaign strategy. Be sure to download the full research report at capitalcampaignpro.com/research.

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-founders Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein dive into the hot topic of whether hiring a capital campaign consultant is a necessary investment or an unnecessary expense. They explore the significant role consultants play in guiding nonprofit organizations through the complex landscape of capital campaigns. From clearing up common misconceptions to highlighting the strategic advantages of expert guidance, this episode sheds light on how consultants can be the linchpin of a successful fundraising campaign.

Andrea and Amy discuss the challenges organizations face when they attempt campaigns without experienced leadership, emphasizing the value of an external consultant who brings a wealth of knowledge and an objective perspective. They share real-world examples, debunk myths, and offer practical advice for nonprofits navigating their campaign journeys.

Whether you're skeptical about the necessity of a consultant or curious about what they can bring to the table, this episode provides a thorough analysis. Discover why investing in a seasoned capital campaign consultant might just be the best decision your nonprofit can make to achieve its ambitious fundraising goals.

Tune in and learn how to maximize your campaign’s ROI and ensure a smooth, successful journey from planning to completion. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies from two of the leading experts in the field!

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