PART TWO: What You need to Know to Run a Successful Capital Campaign

We’re back to conclude our overview of capital campaign tips and tricks!

If you missed part one, you can check it out here.

THE FUNDRAISING PHASE

By Chloe Hart

Junior Consultant

The “quiet” phase

In the “quiet” phase, your nonprofit is developing a solid base of funds in order to present a convincing argument to the public later on. To quickly minimize your funding gap, you will need to approach larger funders early in the process, immediately after your existing partners. Depending on your timeline and campaign goal, your quiet phase may take a year or longer to complete. This phase can include large government programs, foundations, corporations and major individual donors.

The public phase

In the public phase of your campaign, you want to attract attention to your cause in order to close your funding gap. Somethings you will want to consider will be:

• The kind of campaign are you running (ex: individual giving or peer-to-peer)

• How your campaign will stand out

• Create a communications plan for the campaign.

• Will there be rewards, incentives or recognition for different levels of giving?

• Do you have campaign allies who may not donate, but will share your message?

• Apply pressure as the deadline approaches!

• How you will be accepting donations (online, mail, text message)

• Set up an online donation platform (Zeffy, CanadaHelps, other) to host your campaign and connect this campaign to your website.

• Mobilizing your fundraising committee to promote your campaign and make personalized asks to their network

• Re-soliciting sources that expressed interest in your campaign but did not make a commitment during the quiet phase

• Creating and distributing a press release to attract media attention

• Holding a fundraising event (warning: fundraising events are labour-intensive, but they can be an important tool for raising awareness and mobilizing corporate funders!)

THE STEWARDSHIP PHASE

Congratulations, you have successfully met your fundraising goal!

It is important to maintain the relationships you have built throughout your campaign. This is the time to fulfill any promises you made in terms of recognition, and to express your gratitude! Funders will want to receive news not only when you meet your goal, but as your project progresses.

Consider identifying key moments for communication, such as the public launch of your scholarship program, the announcement of its first recipient, their first day of university, etc. You may also want to gather all contributing parties for an event to express your thanks.

By building these connections, you may be able to create long term financial partnerships, and opportunities for expansion of your project in the future.

For more help on capital campaign planning, contact us anytime at info@socialimpactconsultingmtl.com to book a free hour session for new clients!