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

If your campaign committee members agreed to make calls but nothing is happening, this episode will change how you respond and improve your results.In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-founders Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt tackle a common frustration in capital campaigns: committee members who accept prospect portfolios and then stall. The assignments are clear. The meeting is approaching. The report forms are empty. The development director is wondering how often she can “bug” people before the relationship starts to fray.Sound familiar?Andrea shares a real scenario from a weekly client support call where a lead gift committee of eight capable volunteers had one simple task: reach out to people they already knew and set up introductory conversations with the executive director. These were not solicitation calls. They were warm introductions. And yet, no one had made a move.Instead of offering tactics for stronger reminders or tighter accountability systems, Amy and Andrea propose something more effective: a shift in frame. What if the development director stopped thinking in terms of assignments and started thinking in terms of partnership? What if the question changed from “Why haven’t you done this yet?” to “What’s getting in your way?”In this practical and insightful conversation, you will learn:Why even seasoned board members and major donors hesitate to make simple outreach callsHow anxiety and uncertainty quietly stall campaign momentumThe right way to check in with volunteers without damaging relationshipsHow to offer scripts, practice, and side by side calling sessions that actually move people into actionWhy sitting in someone’s office while they make calls can dramatically increase follow throughHow to use email, text, phone, and in person outreach strategicallyWhy getting a clear no is often more valuable than chasing a lingering maybeHow to structure committee meetings so members learn from one another instead of feeling comparedAmy and Andrea explain that volunteers rarely resist out of indifference. More often, they feel unsure about how to start the conversation or nervous about how it will be received. A short opening script, a few bullet points, or a scheduled “call time” with staff support can remove that barrier. Once the first call is made, confidence builds quickly.You will also hear why development staff must resist the urge to become the schoolmarm. Campaign leadership works best when staff position themselves as allies. When volunteers sense that staff understand their hesitation and want to help them succeed, progress accelerates.This episode also explores a powerful campaign truth: clarity is everything. A yes allows you to move forward. A no allows you to move on. The maybes are what drain energy and stall campaigns. Teaching committee members to seek clarity liberates both staff and volunteers.If you are preparing for a capital campaign, leading a lead gift effort, or struggling with committee accountability, this episode offers practical guidance you can apply immediately. The strategies shared here are the same approaches Capital Campaign Pro uses with clients across the country to keep campaigns on track and relationships strong.Listen in to learn how to replace pressure with partnership and transform your committee from hesitant to confident ambassadors for your mission. For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.

Will a capital campaign drain your annual fund or strengthen it in ways you never expected?In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt talks with Hilary Jansen, Director of Philanthropic Engagement at Community MusicWorks in Providence, Rhode Island, about what actually happens to annual fundraising during and after a major capital campaign. Community MusicWorks recently completed a $15 million building campaign and has now lived through the results. If you worry that campaign gifts will replace annual gifts, this conversation offers real-world clarity.Community MusicWorks is a classical music performance, education, and social justice nonprofit with a powerful community presence. Before launching its campaign, the organization operated on an annual budget of $1.2 million. After opening its new 24,000 square foot home, that budget grew to $2.3 million. With 40 percent of revenue coming from individual giving and no tuition income, the stakes were high. Leadership had a legitimate concern: Would asking donors for larger, multi year capital gifts weaken annual support?Instead, the opposite occurred.Hilary shares how the campaign became a catalyst for annual giving. Annual fund goals increased. Donors continued to give. Many increased their annual contributions even after making significant campaign commitments. The campaign did not erode trust. It strengthened it.Why did this happen?First, seasoned philanthropists understand the difference between capital and annual support. They recognize that both are essential. Second, Community MusicWorks had invested for years in deep, authentic relationships. Donors trusted the leadership and believed in the mission. When the organization expressed a need, supporters understood it as genuine.The new building itself also transformed fundraising. The campaign was about bricks and mortar on paper, but in reality it was about mission growth. The building created a visible, tangible home for programs that were once harder to picture. Concertgoers now see lessons in action. Families gather in shared spaces. Community members walk in off the street and discover the work. The physical space provides context for larger annual asks and attracts new supporters who experience the mission firsthand.Andrea and Hilary also discuss the post campaign moment. After a successful $15 million effort, Community MusicWorks faced a higher operating budget and expanded programming. Would donors feel fatigued? Would they say enough? In practice, very few pushed back. Most understood that a larger organization requires greater annual investment. The building was not the end goal. It was the platform for expanded impact.Hilary reflects on lessons learned after stepping into development without prior fundraising experience. She emphasizes that fundraising is relationship work at its core. The success of the campaign rested on years of trust, stewardship, and shared belief. She also shares a critical insight for campaign leaders: You are not raising money for a building. You are raising money for what that building makes possible.This episode is essential listening for nonprofit leaders, development directors, board members, and executive directors who fear that launching a campaign will jeopardize annual revenue. Hear a candid account of what actually happens when relationships, mission clarity, and thoughtful planning come together.If your organization depends heavily on annual giving and you are considering a capital campaign, this conversation will reshape how you think about donor behavior, growth, and long term sustainability.To see what the research truly says about the impact of capital campaigns on the annual fund, download the State of Capital Campaigns Benchmark Report.

What if the biggest barrier to your capital campaign success is the phrase “we don’t have time”?In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt pull back the curtain on a truth that experienced fundraising consultants see every day: organizations that prioritize real conversations with major donors outperform those that try to outsource or avoid them. Drawing from their work with nearly one hundred small and mid sized nonprofits at a time, Amy and Andrea unpack the mindset shift that separates stalled campaigns from fully funded ones.As nonprofits consider a capital campaign or feasibility study, leaders often split into two camps. Some are eager to sit down with their largest prospective donors and hear their thoughts. Others insist they are too busy running programs, managing staff, and keeping up with daily demands. Amy and Andrea challenge that assumption directly. Every leader has twenty four hours in a day. The question is not about time. It is about priority.You will hear why treating donor conversations as optional or delegating them to a consultant is a serious warning sign for campaign readiness. While there are tasks that can and should be outsourced, building relationships with top campaign prospects is not one of them. Major gift fundraising depends on authentic connection between organizational leadership and donors. When that relationship is handed off, a powerful opportunity is lost.Amy explains the Capital Campaign Pro guided feasibility study model, which equips executive directors and board members to lead strategic donor conversations themselves. Rather than sending in an outside consultant to gather feedback, leaders receive coaching, structure, role play, and debrief support so they can confidently meet with their top prospects. These early conversations take place before any formal ask, creating a lower pressure environment where leaders can listen, build trust, and gain insight into donor interests.Andrea shares a story from the early days of this model. A nonprofit leader insisted that he did not want a consultant talking to his donors. He understood that the moment of conversation was an opportunity to strengthen real relationships. Years later, that campaign remains one of the most successful they have seen, with donors giving generously and repeatedly. The reason was simple: relationships were formed and nurtured by the people closest to the mission.The episode also addresses the emotional side of major gifts. When you only have a small number of prospects capable of giving six figure gifts, the stakes feel high. Anxiety can hold leaders back. Amy and Andrea describe how coaching and preparation build confidence over time. Leaders who begin the feasibility process feeling nervous often finish it energized, surprised by how meaningful and even enjoyable the conversations have become.By the time the formal ask happens, it is no longer the first meeting. The donor has been heard. The leader has practiced. Trust has been established. That shift changes everything about a capital campaign.You will also hear Andrea outline three types of nonprofit leaders: the rare few who are excited to talk to major donors from the start, those who resist and prefer to hand fundraising to someone else, and the large group in the middle who are anxious yet willing to grow. The transformation happens in that middle group. When leaders commit to regular, thoughtful donor engagement, fundraising capacity expands long after the campaign ends.If you are planning a capital campaign, conducting a feasibility study, or trying to strengthen your major gift fundraising program, this episode offers a clear message. Sustainable campaign success begins with leaders who make time for donor relationships and treat those conversations as central to their role.For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.

Most capital campaign advice comes from stories and experience. This episode brings three years of real data that confirms what actually works and what common fears miss.In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, host Amy Eisenstein is joined by Steven Shattuck, Director of Engagement and Technology at Capital Campaign Pro, to share findings from the third annual Capital Campaign Benchmark Report. Drawing on responses from more than 650 organizations, they explore what successful campaigns have in common, how annual funds perform during and after campaigns, and why gift distribution follows a predictable pattern that boards need to understand.Amy and Steven begin by explaining how the research is conducted and why the consistency across three years matters. Organizations at every stage were surveyed, from early planning to post campaign completion, creating a living dataset that reflects how campaigns actually unfold. With that foundation in place, they tackle one of the biggest questions nonprofit leaders ask. Are capital campaigns successful? The answer from the data is clear. An overwhelming majority of completed campaigns report success, even when final totals land below the original goal. Many organizations still complete transformative projects, expand services, and raise more money than ever before.The conversation then turns to a long standing concern that often stops campaigns before they start. What happens to the annual fund? The research shows that for most organizations, annual giving holds steady or increases during a campaign, followed by strong growth after the campaign concludes. Amy and Steven discuss why this happens and how thoughtful campaign planning strengthens donor relationships, systems, and staff capacity in ways that support long term fundraising health.They also break down one of the most misunderstood elements of campaign strategy. Where the money really comes from. New data confirms that a small group of lead donors provides the majority of campaign dollars, reinforcing the importance of a disciplined quiet phase, early leadership gifts, and a realistic gift range chart. This section offers clear language leaders can use with boards to explain why campaigns are built from the top down and inside out.Throughout the episode, the focus stays on practical insight backed by evidence. From feasibility studies to board expectations, this conversation equips nonprofit leaders with credible data they can use to plan, explain, and lead campaigns with confidence.You can download the full 2026 Capital Campaign Benchmark Report here and share it with your leadership teams as a grounding tool for smarter decisions.

A snowstorm shuts down a city, a systems failure brings operations to a halt, or a major campaign gift suddenly falls apart. Moments like these reveal how strong a nonprofit’s donor relationships really are.In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, host Amy Eisenstein is joined by Capital Campaign Pro co founder Andrea Kihlstedt to explore how nonprofit leaders can engage donors as true partners during moments of uncertainty, urgency, and high stakes decision making. Drawing from real world examples ranging from weather emergencies to immigration enforcement disruptions to internal system failures, Amy and Andrea share practical guidance on how leaders can communicate clearly, think strategically, and strengthen donor trust when circumstances change fast.The conversation begins with external crises that affect entire communities, such as severe weather events or sudden policy actions that disrupt daily life. Amy and Andrea discuss how these moments create natural opportunities to reach out to major donors with care, transparency, and purpose. They explain why timely phone calls often matter more than broad email messages, and how early communication helps donors feel informed, valued, and connected to the organization’s thinking.Listeners will hear how involving donors does not always mean asking for advice. Sometimes it means sharing decisions before they become public. Sometimes it means checking in personally to see how a donor is doing. Other times it means inviting a small group of trusted supporters to help think through options, risks, and tradeoffs. Amy and Andrea emphasize that discernment matters, since every donor plays a different role.The episode then turns to internal crises, including technology failures, data disruptions, leadership challenges, and reputational threats. Amy and Andrea speak candidly about their own experience when Capital Campaign Pro faced a complete systems outage, and how that experience highlighted the value of contingency planning and donor expertise. They explain why transparency builds confidence over time and how reaching out to donors with relevant experience can lead to stronger solutions and better preparedness.The discussion also connects these ideas directly to capital campaigns. Amy and Andrea walk through scenarios that campaign leaders fear most, including a lead gift that collapses late in the process or a project that suddenly becomes unviable. They outline how early communication, scenario planning, and thoughtful donor engagement can help organizations respond with clarity rather than panic.Throughout the episode, the message remains consistent. Donors want to feel like partners, especially during moments that matter. When nonprofit leaders communicate early, think ahead, and invite the right people into the conversation, crises often become turning points that deepen relationships and strengthen campaigns.This episode offers nonprofit executives, development professionals, and campaign leaders practical insight into building donor relationships that hold steady when plans change and decisions carry real weight.

Hiring a capital campaign consultant can quietly shape the success of your entire campaign, long before a single dollar is raised.In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt walk through how nonprofit leaders can involve their boards, educate their teams, and choose a capital campaign consultant with clarity and confidence. Amy and Andrea share why the consultant selection process itself creates valuable learning for board members and staff, even before any hiring decision is made. They explain how a thoughtful process builds alignment, surfaces assumptions, and helps organizations understand what experienced capital campaign support actually looks like.Listeners hear why starting with conversations matters more than paperwork, and how early calls with consultants reveal far more than a standardized proposal ever could. Amy and Andrea outline how to form an effective consultant selection committee, who should serve, how large it should be, and how to set expectations so the work stays focused and productive. They also explain how involving skeptical board members at the right moment can strengthen buy in rather than stall progress.The conversation addresses one of the most common missteps nonprofits make when hiring a consultant: relying on an RFP to drive the decision. Amy and Andrea explain how RFPs often lead organizations to define services they do not yet understand, while strong consultants respond best to real conversations about goals, readiness, leadership dynamics, and fundraising history. Listeners learn what to listen for during early calls, including curiosity, responsiveness, and the kinds of questions consultants ask when they truly understand campaigns.This episode also tackles persistent myths about local consultants and donor lists. Amy and Andrea clarify why ethical capital campaign consulting never involves bringing outside donors into an organization, and why experience across many campaigns matters more than proximity. They discuss how national firms bring broader perspective, tested approaches, and exposure to a wide range of campaign environments, while still respecting local context and relationships.As the episode continues, Amy and Andrea explain how to narrow a consultant list, gather proposals that actually reflect strategic thinking, and evaluate models of support. They compare hands on implementation approaches with advisory and coaching models, helping listeners identify which style best fits their organization, staff capacity, and campaign goals. The discussion also highlights why staff leadership matters in the final decision, since staff will work most closely with the consultant throughout the campaign.This episode offers practical guidance for nonprofit executives, development leaders, and board chairs who want to approach consultant selection with intention rather than pressure or assumptions. By the end, listeners gain a clearer understanding of how to use the hiring process as a learning opportunity, how to avoid common traps, and how to choose a consultant who truly strengthens their campaign from start to finish.For more board engagement tips, be sure to download our free Board Member’s Guide to Capital Campaign Fundraising. It answers the questions board members most frequently ask, or wish they could ask.

Your largest capital campaign donors often give early, generously, and then quietly disappear from view. That silence can cost you far more than most organizations realize.In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt talk candidly about what strong stewardship looks like during the long middle stretch of a capital campaign and why the period after the initial gift is where future success is decided. Andrea and Amy explain how capital campaigns are built on a small number of transformational gifts, why those donors are usually secured early, and how easy it is for even well run organizations to lose momentum with the people who matter most.The conversation explores what major donors experience when months pass without meaningful contact, updates, or personal outreach. Amy and Andrea share practical ways to stay in close relationship with your top twenty to twenty five donors through consistent, thoughtful communication that keeps them engaged as partners rather than completed transactions. They discuss simple systems leaders can use to keep these donors front of mind, from monthly reviews to creative reminders that prompt personal outreach.Listeners will hear real stories from campaigns where steady stewardship made the difference. One example shows how a campaign that stalled near the finish line was completed by returning to early donors who had been kept informed and involved all along. Another story highlights how asking a major donor for advice during an unexpected challenge led to an extraordinary outcome that reshaped the organization’s future.The episode also addresses a common reality in nonprofit leadership. Many development directors inherit donor relationships that were neglected after a previous campaign. Amy and Andrea outline clear steps for repairing trust, resetting expectations, and building a healthier culture of stewardship going forward. They explain how organizations can create shared responsibility and simple structures so donor care continues through staff transitions and busy campaign periods.This episode offers practical guidance for executive directors, board members, and development professionals who want to protect their most important relationships, finish campaigns strong, and set the stage for future giving long after the campaign ends.To see if your organization is truly ready for a capital campaign, download this free Readiness Assessment. This guide will help you evaluate six aspects of your organization, including the board and your case for support.

When your board lacks time, wealth, or fundraising experience, does that mean a capital campaign is out of reach?In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, host Andrea Kihlstedt is joined by fundraising trainer, author, and longtime colleague Andy Robinson to explore how capital campaigns succeed in small, grassroots, and unconventional organizations. Drawing on decades of experience and two detailed case studies, Andy challenges common assumptions about board driven fundraising and shows what really makes campaigns work when infrastructure is thin and capacity feels limited.Together, Andrea and Andy unpack what happens when organizations face urgent needs, limited systems, and boards that care deeply about the mission yet cannot carry the bulk of fundraising activity. Andy shares the story of a tiny, lay led synagogue with a modest annual budget that raised over $775,000 across a multi year capital effort, even after part of the building was condemned. The campaign relied on a handful of committed leaders, strong belief in the mission, and steady persistence rather than a large or wealthy board.The conversation then shifts to a very different setting, a member owned food cooperative that raised more than $2 million to relocate and expand. The board focused on complex business negotiations while a volunteer campaign committee led community fundraising. Through a blend of gifts, community loans, fiscal sponsorship, and impact investing, supporters gave generously and stayed deeply engaged in the future of the co op.Throughout the episode, Andrea and Andy connect these stories back to core capital campaign principles that apply across sectors and organizational structures. They discuss why people give, what truly motivates participation, and how engagement and investment reinforce one another over time. They also address why tax deductions and legal status rarely drive generosity, how urgency sharpens focus, and why campaigns can build confidence and momentum even in organizations that feel under resourced.This episode is especially relevant for nonprofit leaders, board members, consultants, and community organizers who worry their organization is too small, too new, or too informal for a capital campaign. It offers reassurance, perspective, and practical insight into what matters most when asking people to invest in something they care about.If you work with grassroots organizations, faith communities, cooperatives, or nonprofits with lean staffing and limited systems, this conversation will expand how you think about capital campaigns and what is truly possible when commitment runs deep.For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.

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 conversation and decades of campaign experience, they unpack why this concern surfaces year after year and why it continues to stall bold plans.Amy and Andrea explore how uncertainty shapes donor behavior and how strong organizations respond when the climate feels unsettled. They share what they see across hundreds of campaigns during economic shifts, political tension, public health crises, and periods of social change. The conversation highlights a pattern that surprises many nonprofit leaders: organizations with a clear vision, strong leadership, and thoughtful donor relationships continue to raise significant gifts in every season.The episode walks through common fears voiced by board members and major donors, including anxiety about financial markets, concerns about personal security, and questions about generational giving. Amy responds with practical insight grounded in real campaign results, showing how donors continue to act generously when they feel connected to meaningful work and trusted leadership.Listeners will hear how instability often sharpens a case for support, motivating long time donors to lean in when public funding tightens or community needs grow. The discussion also addresses planned giving, stewardship, and the lasting impact of how donors feel after they make a gift. Andrea emphasizes how thoughtful follow up and personal connection influence future generosity far more than headlines or economic forecasts.The episode closes with a powerful reminder that capital campaigns unfold over years, not moments. Leaders who keep planning and stay in conversation with donors place their organizations in a stronger position when conditions shift again, as they always do. For anyone facing hesitation from a board, an executive director, or even their own internal doubts, this episode offers language, perspective, and confidence to keep moving forward.To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!

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 campaigns.Drawing from his new book Neurogiving: The Science of Donor Decision Making, Cherian shares research from hundreds of peer reviewed studies that explain how donors experience stories, make identity based decisions, and move from emotional connection to meaningful action. This conversation connects neuroscience with practical fundraising strategy, offering insight that campaign leaders, development staff, and board members can apply right away.The discussion opens with storytelling and brain chemistry. Cherian explains how narrative creates neural coupling, a process where the listener experiences the story at a physical and emotional level. This shared experience shapes understanding, memory, and motivation. Fundraisers learn why stories shape donor choices and how thoughtful language and narrative arcs influence how supporters experience a mission.The conversation then shifts to major and leadership gifts within capital campaigns. Cherian explains what happens in a donor’s brain when considering a significant commitment. Rather than focusing on affordability, donors connect gifts to identity, values, nostalgia, and legacy. Amy and Cherian discuss how campaigns succeed when messaging reflects who donors see themselves becoming and how the project expresses that identity through impact rather than square footage.Decision friction and generosity decay form another core theme. Cherian outlines how delays, long processes, and complex steps slow generous intent. When emotional connection and action drift apart, motivation fades. Examples from campaign follow up, pledge processes, and online giving show how timing and simplicity keep donors engaged when enthusiasm runs high.The episode also examines campaign thermometers and the goal gradient effect. Cherian explains why campaigns gain momentum near the finish line and why the quiet phase plays a central role in building confidence and participation. Amy connects this science to proven capital campaign strategy, reinforcing the value of early leadership gifts, phased solicitation, and disciplined sequencing.Throughout the episode, listeners gain language, frameworks, and research grounded insight that explains why proven campaign practices work. This conversation equips fundraisers with science backed clarity that strengthens storytelling, major gift conversations, and campaign structure while building trust with donors, boards, and leadership teams.For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.

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 real-world bumps; from project delays to leadership changes and unexpected donor situations.Campaigns unfold over long periods of time, which means surprises are almost guaranteed. Amy and Andrea outline the four most common categories of challenges: project complications, staff transitions, board disruptions, and donor or gift issues. They share stories from campaigns where discoveries during construction altered entire timelines, where board members created friction just as solicitations were ramping up, and where donor misunderstandings required recalibration of expectations. You’ll hear how organizations found footing again, often with stronger clarity and focus than before.A key theme in this conversation centers on defining success. Instead of locking success to a specific number, Amy and Andrea encourage leaders to look at whether the project itself moved forward in meaningful ways. They describe campaigns that raised less than the initial working goal but still transformed services for the community, and others where early enthusiasm pushed the goal higher. Their message: success reflects the full picture of outcomes, strategy, and impact, not a rigid starting figure.The episode also introduces the two core levers every organization controls: the working goal and the timeline. By using a flexible goal during the quiet phase, campaign leaders maintain room to adjust based on donor feedback, project changes, or unexpected opportunities. Likewise, timeline extensions can be used effectively when genuine prospects remain. Amy and Andrea explain why extensions only make sense when the prospect list supports additional solicitations, and how leaders can recognize the moment when calling the campaign complete is the most strategic move.Listeners gain insight into how campaigns can evolve, why most campaigns eventually adjust their plans, and how confidence grows when leaders recognize that these shifts are normal. Amy and Andrea close with a discussion about aspirational goals; goals that stretch an organization toward the full potential of its donor community. They emphasize that reaching slightly below a bold stretch goal often produces a far more powerful outcome than aiming safely from the start.This episode offers a grounded perspective, seasoned guidance, and encouraging examples to help nonprofit leaders stay steady and strategic through the full arc of a campaign. Anyone planning or managing a capital campaign will walk away with a stronger sense of how to respond when circumstances shift and how to maintain momentum through uncertainty.To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!

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 of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt and Capital Campaign Pro’s Vice President and Chief Happiness Officer, Sarah Plimpton, take a close look at five common myths surrounding feasibility studies and shed light on a more effective approach: the Guided Feasibility Study Model. Drawing from years of collective experience and more than one hundred guided studies, they share why early donor conversations strengthen your case, sharpen your direction, and build the kind of relationships that fuel successful campaigns.Andrea explains how her early career conducting traditional studies revealed a key flaw. Consultants were often the first people to speak with major donors about a project, even though they were not the ones who knew the organization’s plans with the same depth and nuance. When donors asked questions about the vision, program details, or the reasoning behind the project, the consultant could only speak to what they had been told. That disconnect revealed the need for a new structure—one that placed executive directors, board chairs, and other leaders directly in front of donors while still benefiting from consultant expertise behind the scenes.Sarah then walks through the first myth: the belief that everything must be polished before meeting with donors. She describes how donors respond with enthusiasm when they are invited to help shape ideas during the early planning stage. Instead of feeling like they are being presented with a finished product, donors feel trusted. They ask better questions, offer insight leaders may not have considered, and place greater value on the project because they helped strengthen it.Andrea and Sarah then address the idea that leaders do not have enough time for this level of involvement. They share stories of executive directors who initially felt overwhelmed yet soon realized that these donor conversations were the most important work they could be doing. When leaders reorganize their priorities, delegate less essential tasks, and commit to these meetings, the entire campaign gains clarity.Next, they take on the myth that feasibility studies slow things down. In practice, Andrea and Sarah have seen the opposite. The guided model leads to early relationship-building, clearer messaging, and, on occasion, early commitments. Leaders walk into the quiet phase with stronger groundwork already in place because cultivation has been happening throughout the study.Finally, they explain why consultant involvement still matters even when leaders conduct the interviews. Consultants train interviewers, shape the right questions, help teams gather useful information, and interpret feedback so the organization can produce a meaningful report for its board. Without this support, leaders may struggle to make sense of what they hear or overlook important themes.The episode closes with a shared observation: leaders consistently find these conversations enjoyable. Many say they wish the study could continue because the discussions feel energizing and deeply connected to their mission. Andrea notes that this shift often strengthens fundraising long after the campaign is complete.If your organization is preparing for a major project or exploring the first steps of campaign planning, this episode offers guidance that will help you build stronger relationships and clearer direction from the start.For more feasibility study guidance, be sure to download our free Ultimate Guide to Capital Campaign Feasibility Studies.

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 conversation offers clear, practical guidance for anyone preparing to launch a major fundraising effort or reassessing their current prospect pool.Amy and Andrea begin by breaking down a truth that catches many organizations off guard: more than half of your campaign goal will come from twenty or fewer donors. They explain why this pattern is consistent across campaigns of all sizes and why even small or midsize organizations should expect the same dynamic. What often surprises leaders is realizing they may already know several people who could step into those roles once the right project is presented to them.From there, the discussion turns to understanding donor potential. Many donors give modest amounts simply because they’ve never been invited to support a bold vision. That makes your largest annual donors (whether they give $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000) the most likely candidates to consider a six- or seven-figure gift when a compelling campaign arises. Amy and Andrea outline how to recognize early signals of capacity by observing patterns in a donor’s giving history across your organization and the wider community.The episode then walks through a practical approach to assembling a strong list of leadership-level prospects. This includes reviewing your current donor data, speaking with board members, and using wealth insights to form an initial group of ten or more people who could consider gifts of $1 million or higher. Amy and Andrea also emphasize the importance of looking beyond your files to the broader philanthropic landscape around you. In many communities, a small group of generous individuals consistently support major projects across several institutions. Seeing those patterns helps you understand who might step forward for your campaign.To support that effort, the hosts offer a simple field exercise: visit donor walls at nearby hospitals, theaters, libraries, and museums to observe which names appear repeatedly. Noticing these patterns sharpens your understanding of who cares deeply about your community and may be open to learning about your plans. The conversation also addresses the preparation needed before a feasibility study. Amy explains how assembling a list of twenty to forty individuals capable of contributing gifts of $100,000 or more strengthens the study and improves the accuracy of your early projections. She offers guidance on how long list-building can take and why these early steps are key to an effective quiet phase later on.A recurring theme throughout the episode is the value of curiosity. Andrea highlights the power of asking, “Who else should I be talking to?” This single question encourages donors, board members, and community leaders to open doors, make introductions, and broaden your audience. It also provides an easy way to circle back to earlier conversations and express genuine appreciation.The episode closes with a welcome reminder: campaign fundraising is energizing when it is rooted in mission and authentic relationships. Following curiosity, learning about people, and building meaningful connections brings a sense of purpose to the work. That spirit is what leads to transformational support and lasting community impact.To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!

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 campaigns depend on gifts of varied sizes and how a thoughtful gift range chart helps leaders understand what it will take to reach a major goal. Amy expands on the Pareto principle and the 90/10 pattern that appears so frequently in campaign fundraising, reinforcing why the top group of donors must be approached early.Together, they illustrate the concepts of top-down and inside-out solicitation (beginning with the largest donors and the most committed insiders) so the quiet phase can build meaningful early progress. They share examples of how organizations can get stuck when they start by asking everyone at once, including a story about an animal shelter that initially relied on broad direct mail outreach before learning how to focus on individual conversations with high-capacity supporters.Listeners also hear how early board commitments strengthen the case for support, how confidence shapes donor response, and how a clear strategy influences staffing, timing, and long-term relationship building. Andrea and Amy outline the anxiety many teams feel when approaching top donors, and how a well-run feasibility study helps leaders prepare for these pivotal conversations.By the end of the episode, you will understand the structure behind a successful quiet phase and how this approach sets the stage for a strong public launch and stronger fundraising overall.To see if your organization is truly ready for a capital campaign, download this free Readiness Assessment. This guide will help you evaluate six aspects of your organization, including the board and your case for support.

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’s side.Sanjeevanee, a civil engineer turned project management expert, explains the pivotal role of an owner’s representative — the person who helps nonprofit leaders, boards, and executive directors make informed decisions throughout complex construction projects. She shares how bringing in an owner’s rep early can help you assess potential sites, align budgets with design realities, and avoid expensive surprises down the line.Listeners will learn how project feasibility studies differ from fundraising feasibility studies, what to expect when hiring architects and contractors, and how to keep scope, budget, and schedule aligned from concept to completion. The conversation bridges the gap between campaign planning and construction management, giving nonprofit leaders practical insights for steering multimillion-dollar projects with confidence.Through real-world examples — including major academic and nonprofit facilities — Sanjeevanee reveals what makes collaboration between owners, architects, and construction managers truly work. She also discusses how even smaller organizations can benefit from owner’s rep guidance, ensuring every dollar raised is spent wisely.Whether your organization is dreaming of a new arts center, school expansion, or community facility, this episode will help you understand how to manage your project’s moving parts, anticipate potential pitfalls, and build a team that shares your vision. Tune in to learn how preparation, communication, and the right expertise can turn your campaign’s construction goals into a reality.To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!

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 built confidence through practice, coaching, and mastery — and how those same principles apply to fundraisers leading capital campaigns.Listeners will discover how Amy’s experience parallels the journey nonprofit leaders take when launching their first campaign. From hiring a coach to working through self-doubt, Amy and Andrea connect lessons from public speaking to the art of donor solicitation. When fundraisers deeply understand their case and prepare thoroughly, they can let go of the script and build genuine, authentic relationships with donors.Amy also reveals how one client turned an initial “no” into a $2 million lead gift through consistent communication and trust—proof that persistence, relationship-building, and thoughtful follow-up are essential habits for campaign success. The episode closes with a candid moment when Amy forgot her place mid-speech and turned vulnerability into connection—an example of how authenticity strengthens both speaking and fundraising.Key takeaways include:Mastery through preparation: Why practice and coaching transform confidence and competence.Authentic connection: How knowing your material lets you focus on people, not notes.Daily donor engagement: How reaching out to one key prospect each day can dramatically improve results.Resilience and vulnerability: What to do when things don’t go perfectly—and how those moments build trust.This conversation will inspire nonprofit professionals to stretch beyond their comfort zones, refine their skills, and embrace the mindset that confidence is built, not born. Whether you’re preparing for your next major gift conversation or simply trying to deepen your donor relationships, Amy and Andrea’s insights will help you approach your work with mastery and ease.

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 stressful transactions into meaningful partnerships.Kent shares insights from his book Asking About Asking and his work through The Asking Academy, where he teaches the principles of conversational fundraising. He and Andrea discuss how to shift from a mindset of "getting the gift" to one of helping donors make informed and heartfelt decisions that align with their values.Key takeaways include:How conversational fundraising differs from traditional asking methodsThe connection between Kent’s 10 Step Staircase and Andrea’s Arc of the AskHow to use questions such as “What would you like your gift to accomplish?” to inspire dialogueWhy quiet moments help donors think and respond more openlyWays to manage deadlines and expectations without creating pressureHow preparation builds confidence and calm before donor visitsWhy listening more than talking leads to deeper understanding and stronger relationshipsKent and Andrea also explore how empathy, curiosity, and genuine interest can replace anxiety with confidence. By focusing on purpose and shared goals, fundraisers can create experiences where donors feel valued and excited to give.This episode offers practical tools and examples for anyone involved in major gift fundraising, from nonprofit leaders to board members and campaign volunteers.Learn more about Kent Stroman’s work at AskingAcademy.com.Explore additional free trainings and resources, including Andrea’s Arc of the Ask, at CapitalCampaignPro.com.

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 phase of a campaign.Amy and Andrea share practical examples and relatable stories — from quick, authentic clips captured on a phone to professionally produced campaign kickoff videos. They explain how both approaches can serve different purposes: short, informal clips to thank donors, show project progress, or highlight client success stories; and more polished productions to inspire confidence and showcase your organization’s vision.Listeners will learn how to:Use video to present your case for support in ways that align with how donors consume information todayCapture authentic, personal moments that strengthen relationships with donorsIncorporate short, meaningful clips into campaign updates and social mediaBalance formal and informal video strategies depending on your campaign stage and audienceAvoid common pitfalls — like showing long, unfocused videos or relying too heavily on slides during donor meetingsThe conversation also highlights the accessibility of video creation, noting that most staff can produce compelling clips using simple tools like a smartphone and a selfie stick. For teams that need extra help, Amy and Andrea offer suggestions for outsourcing editing and production affordably, or engaging volunteers to support ongoing video work.Through humor and real-world insights (including Andrea’s story about her cat jumping on her shoulder and Amy’s professional keynote video project), this episode demonstrates that video doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. What matters most is authenticity, brevity, and intentional storytelling that keeps your donors engaged and informed.Whether your organization is just starting to experiment with video or ready to refine your approach, this conversation offers clear, actionable ideas for makingvideo an integral part of your campaign communications.Tune in to learn how your nonprofit can use video to show progress, express gratitude, and inspire giving one clip at a time.For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.