Posts by Andrea Kihlstedt
How to Recruit the Best Capital Campaign Volunteers
Capital campaigns that engage great volunteers have a better chance of being successful than those that don’t. Why? Because people who volunteer to help with campaigns also give to campaigns -- much like board members...
Overwhelmed? 4 Ways to Simplify Your Campaign’s Quiet Phase
Sometimes the solution to being overwhelmed is to be more efficient. You can get more things done in a shorter amount of time. Up-to-date lists, functional systems, and seamless staffing can enable you to whip through...
Donor Investment Reports: Help Alleviate Donor Confusion
One of the most common questions we get about capital campaigns is whether they will (or won’t) cannibalize the annual fund. And, if your organization relies on the annual fundraising to support your operating budget,...
Can’t Hire Help for Your Capital Campaign? Consider Another Approach
Betty, the Executive Director of a small nonprofit, works hard every day to keep her nonprofit running. She’s capable and committed. She cares deeply. She’s built an excellent team of people to keep the programs going....
4 Ways to Plan for Often-Overlooked Campaign Expenses
Capital campaigns are the most cost-effective form of fundraising. For many campaigns, the cost of the campaign itself is approximately 10% of the money raised. When compared with more expensive types of fundraising,...
Complex Gifts: A Huge Opportunity for Your Capital Campaign
We often go to great pains to make the concepts of capital campaign simple. It’s an illusion, of course! Campaigns often extend for three years or more and are peppered with complexity. Every day, you will likely...
Offended by a Donor? Try the “Feel-Felt-Found” Approach
I felt my blood pressure rise... When a Donor Says Something Offensive One of my wealthiest donors had just complained to me about the people we serve. Don had stopped by to drop off a check. As he walked into my...
How to Ask for a Campaign Gift Without Sounding Like a Robot
I’m sure you’ve been on those Zoom meetings when it looked like the person was talking to you, but you knew they were reading from a script. Even if the person reads the script well, it just feels different and a bit...
Learning About Your Lead Donors: Manipulation, Persuasion or Opportunity?
Make a short list of five things you want to know about your largest donors or prospective donors. Chances are your list will start with how much money and resources they have so you can determine if they have the...
Want a Complete Roadmap for Your Capital Campaign?
The Capital Campaign Toolkit gives you access to an innovative online platform that provides all the tools, templates, resources and support you need at every stage of your campaign.
