Stuck Campaigns, Quick Wins: The Four Rs to Restart Capital Campaign Momentum

In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt talks with Capital Campaign Pro senior advisor Dedee Wilner-Nugent about what to do when a capital campaign feels stalled. Dedee shares a practical framework she uses with clients across the country: the Four Rs. These simple moves help leadership teams steady nerves, reengage volunteers, and rebuild momentum during the quiet phase and beyond. You’ll learn how to:Reframe expectations so leaders, staff, and committees understand that campaigns rise and fall in pace across phasesRecommit to purpose by centering mission moments in meetings and inviting a campaign champion to keep vision and energy front and centerRefocus on small wins through short-term benchmarks, internal updates, and celebrations that recognize progress in outreach, meetings, and gift conversationsReassess when progress slows by refreshing prospect priorities, addressing capacity gaps, and shifting attention to donors who are ready to advance Highlights from the conversation:Why early lead gift work often creates long stretches with few visible results, and how to set expectations before that lull beginsA simple way to map phases on a shared timeline so every participant knows the current focus and their roleHow a lead donor’s brief remarks can reenergize a board at key pivot pointsWhat to include in a monthly internal update to lift morale and show momentum across teams working on feasibility, design, prospecting, and leadership recruitmentA relationship-first approach to the quiet phase that tracks meaningful touchpoints, introductions to additional leaders, and readiness for an askWhen to rotate prospects up the depth chart to secure near-term wins while larger gifts continue on a longer path Whether you are a CEO, development director, or campaign chair, this episode gives you a clear playbook to steady the team and move forward with confidence when progress feels slow. 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!