Do You Really Need a Feasibility Study? Yes! Here’s Why

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt answer a key question: Do you need a feasibility study before launching a capital campaign? Their answer is a clear yes—and they explain why skipping one can lead to poor decisions, missed opportunities, and campaign failure. They walk through how traditional feasibility studies have often kept donor feedback behind a curtain, leaving nonprofit leaders with vague reports and no way to follow up. Amy and Andrea introduce a new model where nonprofit staff lead the conversations with major donors themselves—building stronger relationships and collecting better insights along the way. Learn the benefits of guided feasibility studies, how they help shape realistic campaign goals, and why involving your largest donors early can change the course of your fundraising. You’ll also hear a compelling story of a million-dollar gift that would’ve been lost under the old model. If you're thinking about a campaign, don’t miss this episode. You’ll come away with two key takeaways: a feasibility study sets you up for a successful campaign, and you should never outsource your donor relationships. For more feasibility study guidance, be sure to download our free Ultimate Guide to Capital Campaign Feasibility Studies.