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

Managing Donor Expectations: How to Handle "Out-of-the-Box" Funding Offers During Your Capital Campaign


Listen Later

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:

  • Tactful ways to decline donor proposals that don't align with your mission.
    • How to use your board and strategic priorities as tools to guide conversations.
      • The benefits of redirecting donors to other organizations when their passion projects don’t fit.
        • Why generosity and collaboration with donors can lead to stronger, long-term relationships.
        • 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!

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store

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

          • 4.9
          • 4.9
          • 4.9
          • 4.9
          • 4.9

          4.9

          33 ratings


          More shows like All About Capital Campaigns: Nonprofits, Fundraising, Major Gifts, Toolkit

          View all
          Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

          Freakonomics Radio

          32,096 Listeners

          The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

          The School of Greatness

          21,186 Listeners

          Pivot by New York Magazine

          Pivot

          9,335 Listeners

          Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications by Joan Garry

          Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications

          315 Listeners

          The Daily by The New York Times

          The Daily

          111,052 Listeners

          Up First from NPR by NPR

          Up First from NPR

          55,966 Listeners

          The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

          The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

          7,713 Listeners

          On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

          On Purpose with Jay Shetty

          26,977 Listeners

          Real Talk for Real Fundraisers by Veritus Group

          Real Talk for Real Fundraisers

          38 Listeners

          The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast by Tammy Zonker

          The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast

          15 Listeners

          IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson by Higher Ground

          IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

          12,740 Listeners

          What the Fundraising by Mallory Erickson

          What the Fundraising

          121 Listeners

          Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell by Julia Campbell

          Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

          59 Listeners

          The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart by Comedy Central

          The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

          10,612 Listeners

          The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

          The Mel Robbins Podcast

          19,689 Listeners