Campaign Readiness: Is Your School Prepared?

Wondering what to prepare as you embark on a campaign? From volunteer leadership to data analytics, this article offers key considerations and advice from four former CCS client partners on how to get started.

Your board has determined the need for a fundraising campaign, and you are responsible for elevating this activity. How do you know if your organization is ready to implement a successful campaign?

Your first step in determining campaign readiness is confidently answering “yes” to the following questions:

1. Do you have defined goals that require funding?
2. Is your data in an implementable status and do you know who your prospects are?
3. Do you have a compelling story to tell?
4. Does your staff have the bandwidth to effectively implement a campaign?
5. Is your Board ready to lead a campaign?
6. Have you defined an adequate philanthropic goal and timeline to complete?
7. Do you have a well-defined volunteer structure?
8. Are your volunteers ready to serve on a committee or request funds from others?

Four previous CCS client partners, who each developed the successful foundations for their campaigns, provide their advice from the field — sharing their perspective and recommendations for any organization considering embarking on a campaign.

The Feasibility and Planning Study

All successful campaigns begin with an informed roadmap. To provide your organization with this information and confidence, implementing a feasibility and planning study is the first step in building your campaign foundation. A study will inform the following areas:

• Prospects’ relationships to your organization and their perception of your progress
• Reactions to your initial case for support and areas of need
• Advice on success directly from your prospects and supporters
• Individuals’ willingness to engage in your proposed campaign
• Overall view of the philanthropic climate and economy

Click here to learn more about determining an informed campaign goal, recruiting strong volunteers, and developing your campaign plan.

Make plans to join us February 14-15 in Atlanta for the 2024 Advancement Institute presented in partnership with CCS Fundraising. The SAIS Advancement Institute will guide you through the most effective strategies for cultivating major gifts, stewardship, planned giving, and more. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional, this program will offer tailored instruction to help you develop strategies to help you achieve your fundraising goals.

Jennifer Devon has over a decade of experience working with institutional leadership and staff to create successful projects and build lasting relationships. Jennifer brings deep expertise in large scale campaign fundraising operations, management, and implementation, strategic planning, nonprofit management and organizational operations, feasibility and planning studies, leadership and major gift pipeline development, and annual giving program implementation.