Pre-campaign preparation is essential to the success of your next capital campaign. Test your readiness by taking a moment to answer the following questions:
Q: Have you involved your board and other key donor constituencies in planning and preparing for the campaign?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Does your organization have a strategic plan that describes the future you envision, and how you intend to get there?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Has your (five-year) financial plan been validated through a planning study?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Have you provided your key prospective donors with an “insider’s briefing” on your plans, and an opportunity to offer their input?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Have you prepared a detailed, step-by-step plan of campaign and shared it with key board and staff members?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Have you reviewed the results of the last major fund-raising campaign your organization conducted?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Have you researched, reviewed and evaluated your top 50 to 100 donor prospects?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Have you prepared a strong case for support, written from the viewpoint of the donor?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Q: Have you identified and evaluated the best candidates for campaign general chairperson, and other leadership positions?
☐ Yes ☐ No
If you could “yes” to all of these questions, then you are to be commended, and may need a raise! If you can not answer “yes” to each of these questions, you may benefit from an initial consultation with fund-raising counsel. We have developed a set of guidelines to assist you in preparing for a winning campaign. To receive a copy of this guideline or any of our other publications, visit our website, or send an inquiry to info@goettler.com.
For more on Ready, Set, Go!, The Essentials of Preparing for a Campaign, access Goettler Series Volume 1