Setting the Right Capital Campaign Goal: Planning for Success

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt dive into one of the most crucial aspects of campaign planning: setting a realistic and effective capital campaign goal. Whether you're building a new facility, expanding your programs, or establishing an endowment, determining the right working goal is far from simple. Amy and Andrea discuss why a working or draft goal is essential and explore the factors that influence how much you can realistically raise for your project. They explain why organizations often misunderstand the role of feasibility studies, the importance of accounting for all project costs (from architectural fees to startup program costs), and why it's crucial to think big early in the planning process. You'll learn how to test your goal, inspire your board—especially more conservative members—to embrace a higher target, and the risks of setting a goal that's too low. Plus, the hosts share research from their latest Capital Campaign Pro Benchmark Report, which reveals that many organizations raise their goals after a feasibility study, further emphasizing the flexibility needed in goal-setting. Key takeaways include: How to create a comprehensive project budget. The role of a feasibility study in refining your goal. When and how to adjust your campaign goal throughout the process. How your campaign goal can inspire larger gifts from your lead donors. Whether you're just beginning your campaign or preparing to test your goal, this episode will provide you with actionable strategies to plan and execute a successful campaign that pushes your organization to the next level. Tune in now to get expert tips on setting a winning capital campaign goal! 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!