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

There is always someone in the room who believes the timing is wrong, the moment feels uncertain, and waiting sounds safer than moving forward. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt tackle one of the most common objections heard in boardrooms and leadership meetings: the belief that now is a bad time to raise money. Drawing from a real dinner co...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , campaign experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt discuss why it matters that your board chair, executive director, and development director are the real power team for your campaign and they share some thoughts about how to get them working together well.

Capital campaigns are not well suited for raising money for endowment. The most successful endowment fundraising is done through concentrated work on planned giving. That being said, most campaigns include a component of endowment. Amy and Andrea will unpack this complicated idea in this episode.

Stories change how people think, feel, and choose to act, and the science behind that process has direct implications for fundraising success. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein welcomes Cherian Koshy, vice president at Kindsight and a leading voice on the neuroscience of generosity, to explore how brain science explains donor behavior in major gifts and capital campai...

The moment a major gift falls through, a construction issue pops up, or a key leader steps away can feel like a turning point. Yet these situations often reveal how much control organizations actually have during a capital campaign. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explore the practical actions nonprofit leaders can take when campaigns encounter...

Some long-held assumptions about feasibility studies can slow an organization’s progress long before a campaign begins. Many teams believe they should polish every detail, finalize every plan, and prepare elaborate materials before speaking with their largest supporters. But when you pause to look closely, those assumptions create missed opportunities and weaker campaign momentum. In this episode...

Curiosity about who your earliest campaign leaders could be often sparks surprising discoveries and opens paths to support you may not have recognized. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explore how organizations can identify and engage the select group of donors who provide the earliest and most significant gifts in a campaign. Their convers...

A core principle shapes the success of every capital campaign, and this conversation clarifies exactly how it works and why it matters. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , co-hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt talk with each other about the strategic order of solicitation and how top gifts drive momentum, confidence, and overall campaign performance. Andrea explains why campaig...

If your capital campaign includes a construction or renovation project, there’s far more to think about than fundraising goals and donor lists. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , host Andrea Kihlstedt sits down with Sanjeevanee Vidwans , an independent capital project management consultant, to unpack what it really takes to plan and manage a successful building project from the owner...

What happens when you say “yes” to something that feels just a bit bigger than what you’ve done before? In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , co-founder Amy Eisenstein takes the guest seat as Andrea Kihlstedt interviews her about stepping outside her comfort zone — preparing for and delivering a 35-minute keynote speech without notes in front of hundreds of peers. Amy shares how she bui...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , co-founder Andrea Kihlstedt is joined by fundraising expert and Capital Campaign Pro senior advisor Kent Stroman for a thoughtful conversation about how authentic, two-way communication can make major gift fundraising more natural and rewarding. Together, they explore how asking the right questions and truly listening can turn donor meetings from st...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explore how nonprofits can use video to connect with donors, share impact, and bring their campaign stories to life. They discuss why video has become such an essential communication tool, replacing traditional brochures and static materials, and how organizations can use it effectively throughout every phas...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt , the co-founders of Capital Campaign Pro , invite listeners behind the scenes of a recent Campaign Conversations session: a live Q&A forum where nonprofit leaders ask their most pressing campaign questions. Four guests join to discuss real-life challenges many organizations face during their campaigns: Randy...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , co-founder Andrea Kihlstedt is joined by senior advisor Jeff Hensley to discuss what to do when leadership shifts in the middle of a capital campaign. From sudden retirements and staff departures to unexpected crises, they share practical ways to keep your campaign moving forward while maintaining confidence among staff, donors, and your board. Jeff...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein sits down with Alonda Williams, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, to talk about how artificial intelligence is transforming nonprofit leadership, operations, and impact. With a background in technology at companies like Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Verizon, Alonda brings a unique perspective to the nonprofit sec...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt outline three essential steps that nonprofit leaders should take to prepare their boards for a capital campaign. Many board members come to the table with limited or inaccurate ideas about what a campaign involves. Amy and Andrea explain how to bridge that knowledge gap, address common anxieties, and set clear exp...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein welcomes nonprofit leader, coach, and advocate Joan Garry for an inspiring conversation about how development directors and nonprofit executives can maintain optimism, motivate their teams, and rethink what fundraising success looks like in challenging times. Joan Garry is an internationally recognized champion for the nonprofit secto...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt tackle one of the most important and often misunderstood aspects of a successful capital campaign: creating and funding a campaign budget. A capital campaign requires more than enthusiasm and a compelling case. It demands resources, staff support, and a financial plan that spans several years. Amy and Andrea expla...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Andrea Kihlstedt talks with Capital Campaign Pro senior advisor Dedee Wilner-Nugent about what to do when a capital campaign feels stalled. Dedee shares a practical framework she uses with clients across the country: the Four Rs. These simple moves help leadership teams steady nerves, reengage volunteers, and rebuild momentum during the quiet phase...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Andrea Kihlstedt talks with Rob Riley, President of the Northern Forest Center, about how his organization raised $35 million through a unique blend of philanthropy and impact investing. Spanning 30 million acres across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, the Northern Forest Center set out to revitalize rural communities while protecting th...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein welcomes Capital Campaign Pro’s Director of Engagement, Steven Shattuck, to explore how nonprofit organizations can approach artificial intelligence with confidence, strategy, and purpose. Whether you’re skeptical of AI or eager to experiment, this conversation unpacks what it means to use AI responsibly while staying focused on relat...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explain why a gift range chart is one of the most essential planning tools for any successful capital campaign. They break down what a gift range chart is, how to create one, and why it can guide your campaign from start to finish. You’ll hear why setting the right top gift amount is critical, how your donor...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Andrea Kihlstedt sits down with Graeme Watt, co-owner of Anthem Creative, to explore how nonprofit leaders can sharpen their storytelling to strengthen donor engagement and drive campaign results. Graeme shares his journey from founding a grassroots youth nonprofit in his living room to leading large-scale digital storytelling efforts with organizat...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt unpack a deceptively simple question: what counts toward your campaign goal? Getting this wrong can damage your credibility, confuse your board and donors, and throw off your reports. The good news? A clear set of campaign policies established early on can prevent most of the trouble. But clarity is not always eas...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , host Amy Eisenstein is joined by nationally recognized nonprofit consultant Christal Cherry, known to many as “The Board Pro,” to talk about one of the biggest challenges for nonprofit leaders: how to find and keep the right board members. With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Christal has helped hundreds of organizations re...