{"id":1009,"date":"2019-05-08T03:06:58","date_gmt":"2019-05-08T03:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/blog\/?p=1009"},"modified":"2023-04-23T09:43:17","modified_gmt":"2023-04-23T13:43:17","slug":"are-you-ready-to-launch-a-capital-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/grantnews\/are-you-ready-to-launch-a-capital-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Ready To Launch A Capital Campaign?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If you’re preparing to launch a capital campaign, a lot of work goes into figuring out exactly how much money a nonprofit\u00a0can realistically raise. When looking to raise large sums, proper planning, preparation, and execution of all phases of the capital campaign are crucial.<\/p>\n

Nonprofits such as\u00a0museums;\u00a0community centers;\u00a0faith-based organizations like churches, synagogues, mosques;\u00a0and homeless shelters\u00a0often seek funding through\u00a0intricate, involved, capital campaigns to raise funds to purchase land, build a\u00a0building, and\/or renovate or preserve an existing structure.<\/p>\n

Here are some grants available on GrantWatch for capital campaign funding:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h6>\n

1. Grants to Central Indiana Nonprofits for Education, Health, Human Services, and Community Development<\/a><\/p>\n

Grants to Central Indiana nonprofit organizations and cultural institutions for activities in the areas of education, community development, health, and human services. Funding may be requested for either capital campaigns and operating support. As an Indianapolis-based organization, the Foundation predominately makes grants to Central Indiana organizations as well as a few national medical research institutions.<\/p>\n

2. Grants to Massachusetts Nonprofits to Benefit Residents of Hampden and Hampshire Counties<\/a><\/p>\n

Grants of up to $50,000 to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life for residents in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Prospective applicants must prequalify prior to submitting an application. Proposals may be in the areas of youth development, education, health, arts, religion, environment, and education. Capital Campaigns, building and renovation, land acquisition, and annual campaigns are all causes of particular interest to this Foundation.<\/p>\n

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Capital campaigns\u00a0can last for years, but it’s important to list\u00a0an end date and not let them drag on indefinitely. If you don’t reach your goal, you can have a new campaign in the future, apply for grants<\/a> and\/or loans, or change your budget\u00a0to reflect\u00a0what makes sense based on the funds you’ve actually been able to raise.<\/p>\n

According to Robert\u00a0Happy, President of Averill Fundraising Solutions, LLC, “Nearly every nonprofit institution struggles when it comes to successfully executing capital campaigns.” He offers some great tips in his article 10 Capital Campaign Do’s and Don’ts for Better Fundraising<\/a>, published by The Giving Institute.<\/p>\n

In addition, Averill Fundraising Solutions offers a comprehensive toolkit on its website. Capital Campaigns: 11 Steps to Set and Exceed Your Goals<\/a>, with information on Setting Capital Campaign Goals, Exceeding Capital Campaign Goals, and Maximizing Capital Campaign Success.<\/p>\n

Here are 10\u00a0Best Practices to increase your capital campaign’s success culled from our experience as well as gathered from nonprofit,\u00a0philanthropy, and fundraising experts:<\/p>\n

1. Plan Ahead! <\/strong><\/h5>\n

This can include some of the steps below. Running a successful fundraising project of this magnitude generally requires a strategic plan and having a good team in place to ensure the campaign\u00a0all runs smoothly.<\/p>\n

It’s important to make sure that you preserve annual giving so that you will have funds to continue operations, and possibly the higher expenses linked to a larger\u00a0facility after the campaign. Donors who’ve just made donations in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars can feel overtaxed or put upon if expected to continue to give annually at the same level.<\/p>\n

2. Choose\u00a0your team\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Your team\u00a0can consist of a combination of your\u00a0staff,\u00a0executive committee, and board members.<\/p>\n