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

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.

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.

If you’re curious about what goes into a campaign plan, this episode is for you. Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt go through each of the 10 elements of a campaign plan one at a time.

In this insightful episode, Andrea Kihlstedt and Dedee Wilner-Nugent dive into the transformative power of adopting a growth mindset, particularly in the context of capital campaigns.

As fundraising professionals know, embarking on a capital campaign can be daunting, fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Dedee, a senior advisor at Capital Campaign Pro, shares her deep understanding of mindsets and explains how a growth mindset—characterized by resilience, adaptability, and positivity—can be the key to overcoming the inherent stresses of fundraising.

Throughout the conversation, Andrea and Dedee explore practical strategies for cultivating a growth mindset, from harnessing optimism and engaging in positive self-talk to thinking like a scientist when faced with setbacks.

Dedee offers compelling anecdotes from her experience with various organizations, illustrating how shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset not only mitigates anxiety but also opens the door to greater opportunities and successes in capital campaigns.

Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, this episode provides valuable insights into how a growth mindset can enhance both your personal and professional life.