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

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt reveal the incredible power of the gift range chart, an indispensable tool for any capital campaign. Often called a gift pyramid or table of gifts, this chart does more than outline donation goals—it serves as a comprehensive roadmap for your campaign’s strategy. Amy and Andrea explain how this simple yet complex...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into the often-overlooked power of curiosity in fundraising. They explore how understanding donors' motivations and personal stories can transform your fundraising efforts and create authentic connections that inspire giving. Andrea shares a real-life example of an arts organization and explains why askin...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein sits down with Mallory Erickson, fundraising expert, coach, and host of What The Fundraising podcast. Together, they dive deep into the origins of the scarcity mindset in the nonprofit sector, exploring how this pervasive mentality impacts fundraising practices and organizational culture. Mallory introduces concepts from her new book,...

Join fundraising experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt as they unravel the essentials of capital campaigns, from small-scale projects to multimillion-dollar transformations. Discover why size doesn’t define a campaign's success, but its potential to catapult your organization forward does. Through relatable stories, expert insights, and practical tips, this episode explores how campaigns dif...

In this episode, capital campaign experts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt will help you think through the process of determining the right goal for your campaign. You’ll learn that it takes more than simply knowing how much your project will cost. And setting the right campaign goal sets your campaign up for success. ------------- This is an encore presentation originally aired on February 7,...

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. --------     This is an encore presentation originally aired on June 27, 2022.

How do you determine the right price for naming opportunities in your capital campaign? Join Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt as they unravel the art and science behind donor recognition and stewardship. From avoiding common pitfalls in pricing naming opportunities to designing a donor recognition plan aligned with your gift range chart, this episode offers practical insights to elevate your ca...

In this episode, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into one of the most critical aspects of fundraising success: identifying your top 50 donor prospects. They discuss why these prospects are pivotal to your campaign's success, how to effectively identify and prioritize them, and strategies for leveraging your inner circle to uncover hidden potential. -------- This is an encore presentation...

Do you wonder how to approach the wealthiest individuals in your community about your capital campaign? In this episode, Amy and Andrea give you a new perspective - and some useful tools - to address this crucial step in your capital campaign. Discover how to identify potential donors, build genuine relationships around shared values, and create opportunities for collaboration that benefit both yo...

In this episode of  All About Capital Campaigns , Amy Eisenstein hosts Melissa Bank Stepno from Helen Brown Group, a leading prospect research firm. Melissa brings her extensive knowledge to explore donor-advised funds (DAFs) and their transformative role in the nonprofit sector. With DAFs becoming a popular charitable giving vehicle, nonprofit leaders often have questions. Melissa explains what D...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into the much-anticipated findings from the second annual State of Capital Campaigns Benchmark Report . This essential research, conducted by Capital Campaign Pro, unveils key insights into the capital campaign process, providing data-driven answers to questions that have lingered in the fundraising wor...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , co-founders Andrea Kihlstedt and Amy Eisenstein dive into the hot topic of whether hiring a capital campaign consultant is a necessary investment or an unnecessary expense. They explore the significant role consultants play in guiding nonprofit organizations through the complex landscape of capital campaigns. From clearing up common misconceptions t...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , co-founder Andrea Kihlstedt speaks with Lila Thorne, former Director of Development at the Northern Forest Center, about their groundbreaking $30 million capital campaign. Lila shares the compelling story of how the Northern Forest Center launched an innovative campaign that combined philanthropy and impact investing to support communities across a...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into one of the most crucial aspects of campaign planning: setting a realistic and effective capital campaign goal. Whether you're building a new facility, expanding your programs, or establishing an endowment, determining the right working goal is far from simple. Amy and Andrea discuss why a working o...

In this episode of  All About Capital Campaigns , co-hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive deep into the critical role of CEOs and Executive Directors in leading successful capital campaigns. As the central figures, these leaders often feel overwhelmed by the complex, multi-faceted demands of a campaign, managing everything from program planning to board involvement, and campaign operatio...

In this episode, Amy Eisenstein of Capital Campaign Pro sits down with fundraising expert Courtney Leonard, who shares her experiences from an 18-year career in philanthropy. Currently serving as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Clark University, Courtney delves into the challenges and triumphs of leading a $40 million comprehensive campaign at a small university. Courtney share...

In this episode, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt discuss the importance of recognizing the unsung heroes of fundraising campaigns. These individuals often work behind the scenes, making crucial contributions that drive campaigns to success. Amy and Andrea share stories of meaningful and creative ways to show gratitude. They talk about how personalized recognition, such as handwritten notes or...

In this episode, Amy Eisenstein and Sarah Plimpton tackle a common issue in the world of fundraising—campaigns getting "stuck." Every fundraising campaign experiences ebbs and flows, but the key to success is knowing how to navigate the valleys. Together, Amy and Sarah share actionable strategies to help you get your campaign back on track. From revisiting current donors for potential se...

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...

In this comprehensive episode, Andrea Kihlstedt and Chelsea Lamego dive deep into the critical aspects of managing and reporting on donor funds. Chelsea, co-founder and CEO of FundMiner, shares her expertise on overcoming the complexities of fund management, particularly in large institutions and small nonprofits alike. The discussion highlights common challenges such as tracking funds, managing r...

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive deep into one of the most critical questions facing nonprofit leaders: "How do you know if your organization is ready for a capital campaign?" As seasoned campaign experts, Amy and Andrea walk you through the essential indicators that signal whether your nonprofit is prepared to embark on this...

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 a...

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 c...

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....

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...