The Capital Campaign Process: What Should You Expect?-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, led by Christy Graham and presented by Kevin Wallace and Melissa Seiss of campaigncouncil.org, provides a comprehensive guide to managing capital campaigns for nonprofits. The session outlines the sequential phases of a capital campaign: the family phase, the quiet phase, the leadership phase, the community phase, the closeout phase, and finally, the public phase.<br /><br />Beginning with the family phase, materials such as a campaign video, brochure, solicitation letters, and donor recognition plans are developed. This phase emphasizes internal solicitations among staff and board members, promoting full participation and preparing for external outreach.<br /><br />The quiet phase follows, where high-level gifts are sought through face-to-face meetings, emphasizing the necessity of having well-connected committee members to make effective peer-to-peer solicitations. This phase aims to secure half of the campaign funds.<br /><br />In the leadership phase, the focus is on growing the campaign's support base and reinvigorating the committee to reach three-quarters of the financial goal. Communication with potential donors is maintained through controlled newsletters and grant applications.<br /><br />The subsequent community phase targets smaller donations to approach 95% of the overall campaign goal. The closeout phase follows, characterized by closing existing leads and securing pending donations to finalize intended pledges.<br /><br />Finally, the public phase opens the campaign to wider audiences, aiming to exceed the fundraising target by engaging with new donors via broader communication channels.<br /><br />Throughout the campaign, maintaining donor relations and gratitude through stewardship is stressed, ensuring long-term engagement beyond the campaign's immediate goals.

Keywords

capital campaigns

nonprofits

fundraising

donor relations

Christy Graham

Kevin Wallace

Melissa Seiss

campaign phases

stewardship

campaigncouncil.org