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

The easier pace of the summer weeks makes them a perfect time to connect with your donors.  This week Amy and Andrea share their favorite ways to do that.  You’ll learn the power of sharing “insider information” and of asking people for advice as you plan for the fall. -------------       This episode was recorded as part of a live webinar held Monday, June 28, 2...

Amy and Andrea discuss the importance of thinking expansively about your organization every once in a while. They offer suggestions about how to get your board excited about thinking from abundance – whether in special half-day planning meetings or just in short 30-minute bursts of inspiration. They also discuss the importance blue sky thinking for you in your personal life.

Amy and Andrea share with you some important tips about hiring a consultant. They discuss whether or not you need a campaign consultant and why you shouldn’t issue an RFP to find your consultant. They also discuss the new innovative models they use to provide organizations with the support they need for their campaigns. -------------      This episode was recorded as part of a...

Andrea welcomes author, master trainer and friend, Andy Robinson to join her as a host on this Toolkit Talk. They share the principles and effective practices you should know about how to train adults.  Spoiler Alert: Adults remember more of what THEY say than they do of what YOU say! Andy and Andrea co-authored a book of training exercises, and they share some of their favorites with you.&nb...

In this episode, Amy and Andrea discuss the importance of building volunteer engagement into the structure and fabric of your capital campaign. They review why it’s important and give you strategies for what kinds of committees you might have. They also discuss how to involve volunteers in a way that will increase the likelihood of their effective participation. As usual, Amy and Andrea branch out...

In this episode, Amy and Andrea are joined by Claire Taylor Hansen , Creative Director of Big Duck, one of the premier nonprofit communications firms in the country. They talk about why a capital campaign needs a “brand” and how it should be different from the organization’s brand. Claire shares her ideas about how a brand should capture the spirit or personality of the organization and the campai...

Amy and Andrea dive into the topic of nonprofit boards and governance, topics dear to the heart of Simone Joyaux, who died on May 2. They refer to Simone’s book, Firing Lousy Board Members, And Helping the Others Succeed as a starting place for the discussion. They share their stories about Simone and her amazing contributions to the field.  Then, they field a wide range of questions, includi...

Amy and Andrea share their current thinking about cases for support and why they recommend donor engagement tools when speaking with donors. You’ll learn what they are and how to develop one for your campaign. It might transform the way you speak with your largest donors. They also fielded questions about campaign planning, raising money to pay down debt (or not!), and a host of other pressing que...

In this episode, Amy and Andrea talk about Feasibility Studies — what they are, why they matter, what else you might call them, and much more. You’ll also learn about the importance of leadership and why, if the leader of your organization isn’t capable, you might think about finding a new job.  You’ll get a great tip about how to test your case for support. As a bonus, you’ll get a refresher...

In this episode, Amy and Andrea discuss approaches to raising money as your organization emerges from COVID. They talk about capacity campaigns and mini-campaigns, and they answer a slew of questions about whether and when you can ask donors for yet another gift.  ------------- This episode was recorded as part of a live webinar held Monday, April 19, 2021. To participate in future webinars,...

In this episode, Amy and Andrea conduct a lively conversation about training board members. Prompted by many questions, they give a rundown of key things to know about training adults, and board members in particular. You’ll learn why it’s important to get board members talking (and not just listening) during a training. You’ll find out at least two topics that are important for any board training...

Next week, Amy and Andrea will talk about the power of thinking from abundance rather than scarcity. As you get ready to plan a campaign, that kind of open, exciting thinking about what  our organization might be if you didn’t have to pinch every penny will inspire everyone to think bigger. And when it comes to fundraising, inspiring ideas generate larger gifts. Don’t miss this talk. It’s lik...

Today, Amy and Andrea discuss key issues of timing when it comes to capital campaigns. They focus on three key points.   First, you should resist the temptation to launch a capital campaign for a new building until you've secured a site for the building and have schematic plans. Second, don’t start a campaign if the leadership of your organization is iffy. Donors give large, generous gifts wh...

In today's episode, Andrea is joined by Sebastian Ruth, Founder and ED of Community Music Works, an organization that is in the midst of a lively and effective campaign. They chat about the lessons they’ve learned through the first two years of the campaign.  They talk about setting goals, board giving and ways to make campaign committees function well. ------------- This episode was recorded...

Amy and Andrea discuss the work to be done once your campaign has reached its goal. They talk about celebrating and reporting and making sure that your donors feel great about the campaign. They highlight the importance of effective post-campaign activity and suggest that it’s really the very beginning of your next campaign.   And in their wide-ranging discussion, you’ll even learn about “Six...

Have you ever wondered why capital campaigns raise so much money? Has it dawned on you that you might be able to adopt some of the principles of capital campaign fundraising to the rest of your fundraising program? In this episode, Andrea and Amy discuss why you should adopt a "campaign campaign mindset" and how you might do that. ----------------- This conversation was recorded live on a webinar...

In today’s episode, Amy and Andrea discuss an unlikely truth about boards and capital campaigns. You may think that you’ve got to scramble to build a strong board before your campaign, but in today’s episode you’ll learn why that’s not the best strategy. And Andrea shares a remarkable idea about boards that she learned from a major donor some years ago. -------- This episode was recorded...

In this episode, Amy and Andrea take on the important subject of feasibility studies. Can they really tell you how much you can raise? Is it important that the interviews are done by an outside consultant? And much more... ------- This conversation was recorded live on a webinar on February 22, 2021. To participate in this live call, register at ToolkitTalks.com .

In this episode, Amy and Andrea weave together the many aspects of organization and infrastructure of successful campaign.  Do you have an effective CRM system? Have you developed effective ways of reporting on your campaign progress?  Do you have a plan for managing volunteer committees? Join Amy and Andrea in a free-flowing conversation about these topics and much more winding up with...

One of the ways campaigns build capacity is by providing opportunities and energy to identify potential donors and build or strengthen  relationships with them. Campaigns provide an excellent context for focusing on that important work. As they plan campaigns, organizations are primed to think about increasing their impact. And, the promise of increased impact sets the stage for donor co...

In this episode, you’ll learn a number of ways you can apply the principles of capital campaign fundraising to build your fundraising program —  with or without a campaign! Join Amy and Andrea for this lively discussion. ------------ This conversation was recorded on a live webinar on February 1, 2021. To participate in future webinars, register at ToolkitTalks.com .

In this episode Amy and Andrea discuss topics related to 1) What to include in your campaign goal; and 2) The relationship between annual fund and capital campaigns; and 3) The importance of a generous mindset for fundraising. . . . . This conversation was recorded on a live webinar on Monday, January 25, 2021. To sign up and participate in future talks like this, register at ToolkitTalks.com

In this episode, Amy and Andrea answer questions and discuss topics related to 1) staffing up for a campaign; and 2) how to budget for a campaign; and 3) why feasibility studies are so important. *** This episode was recorded on a live webinar held on January 18, 2021. To participate in future live events, go to ToolkitTalks.com .

In this episode, Amy and Andrea discuss how to think about having campaign to build your capacity, including your endowment. They answer lots of great questions about the specifics of the difference between true endowments and quasi-endowments, as well as how to discuss those options with donors. This episode was taped on a live webinar on January 11, 2021. To join these live conversations, regist...

As we start the year, Andrea and Amy ask you: What's your BHAG - your Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal?  You and your organization should have one. In fact, not only should you have a BHAG, but it should drive your organization forward. Your BHAG should inspire you, your board and your staff to do everything  they can to make an even bigger difference in the world you serve. You'll also learn...