How the Northern Forest Center Raised $30M: A Capital Campaign Success Story

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-founder Andrea Kihlstedt speaks with Lila Thorne, former Director of Development at the Northern Forest Center, about their groundbreaking $30 million capital campaign. Lila shares the compelling story of how the Northern Forest Center launched an innovative campaign that combined philanthropy and impact investing to support communities across a 30 million-acre landscape spanning four states in the Northeastern U.S. Lila provides a behind-the-scenes look at the unique challenges and successes of this campaign, which initially set out to raise $20 million but surpassed expectations, driving them to raise the goal to $30 million. She discusses how the organization navigated asking for major gifts and impact investments, the power of big ideas in securing support, and the importance of developing a strong, resilient fundraising team. Along the way, Lila shares valuable lessons learned, such as the importance of meticulous planning, thinking big, and investing in your team’s success. This episode also delves into the innovative financial model that fueled the Northern Forest Center’s impact investments, how they managed to raise funds across multiple communities and states, and how they achieved success by securing significant investments from national foundations, corporations, and even a church. Lila explains how they were able to appeal to donors and investors alike by offering both philanthropic and investment opportunities, highlighting the organization’s ability to combine social good with financial returns. Throughout the conversation, Lila recounts the personal side of her journey, managing to lead a high-stakes campaign while also becoming a mother of three. Her story is both inspiring and informative, offering key takeaways for anyone involved in nonprofit fundraising, especially those embarking on capital campaigns that blend philanthropy with innovative financing. Tune in to learn: How a $20M goal turned into a $30M campaign The role of impact investing in nonprofit capital campaigns Strategies for managing large-scale, multi-community fundraising efforts How to cultivate a culture of asking for big gifts and why it works The importance of team building and leadership in campaign success Whether you’re planning your first capital campaign or looking for ways to innovate your fundraising efforts, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world advice from a successful campaign leader. Don’t miss Lila’s reflections on leading through challenges, taking risks, and achieving big goals, all while balancing work and family. Plus, hear Andrea Kihlstedt’s expert thoughts on what makes campaigns like this not only possible but successful. Listen now to discover how you, too, can create an inspiring and effective capital campaign! 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.