CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS

A properly planned capital campaign is far more likely to run smoothly and find success in reaching its goals. Our strategy and plan are guided by the valuable insights gained from our feasibility studies. Using this knowledge, we develop a comprehensive, detailed Campaign Plan that includes:

• A timetable with revenue milestones

• A schedule of campaign activities

• Recommendations for campaign staffing and structure

• Defined roles and responsibilities

• Campaign policies and procedures

• Cost structure and recommended budget

We then work directly with our client partners to put the campaign plan into motion as a team.

Along the way, we provide guidance, training, mentoring, and expert counsel to help you successfully conduct your campaign. This will include strategizing and helping you prioritize, target, and approach donor prospects and supporters successfully. Coming up with creative ideas for promoting your project and campaign.

A successful capital campaign is built on a foundation of strategic planning, robust organization, and effective execution. Here’s how we make it happen:

1. Campaign Leadership and Consultation

• Senior-Level Consulting Team: Our Senior Consultants serve as your Campaign Coordinators, providing expert guidance and coaching throughout the process.

• Strategic Campaign Organization: Collaborating with your leadership, we design a campaign structure aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes.

2. Detailed Campaign Planning

• Comprehensive Campaign Plan: We develop a thorough, written Campaign Plan that includes:

  • Program direction and implementation strategies

  • A timetable with revenue milestones

  • Specific activity schedules

  • Fundraising strategies

  • Staffing recommendations

  • Training materials for staff and volunteers

  • Roles and Responsibilities Guide

  • Communications Plan

  • Campaign policies and procedures

  • Cost structure and recommended budget

3. Campaign Implementation and Support

• Plan Execution: We assist in the meticulous implementation of your Campaign Plan, making adjustments as necessary to address emerging opportunities and challenges.

• Operational Support: Providing direct support to ensure all campaign operations run smoothly, including administrative procedures, systems, logs, and reports.

4. Awareness Building and Community Engagement

• Building Awareness: Develop and implement a strategic Awareness Building Plan to highlight your campaign and engage the community.

• Community Leadership: Attract and involve community leaders to champion your campaign and help achieve your goals.

4. Leadership and Volunteer Training

• Identifying Leaders: Assist in identifying and recruiting campaign leaders.

• Committee Guidance: Provide ongoing support to your Steering and Campaign Committees.

• Comprehensive Training: Equip your staff and volunteers with the skills and knowledge needed to drive the campaign forward.

5. Donor Engagement and Solicitation

• Prospect Identification: Work with your team to identify and prioritize potential donors.

• Approach Strategies: Develop tailored solicitation strategies and Ask Amounts for donor engagements.

• Solicitation Teams: Organize and support teams tasked with securing gift and pledge commitments.

• Major Gifts: Create compelling Naming Opportunities and proposals for lead and major gift presentations.

• Donor Recognition: Design and implement a comprehensive Donor Recognition Program to honor your supporters.

6. Campaign Materials and Presentations

• Developing Materials: Collaborate with professional graphics firms to create impactful campaign materials (brochures, stationery, etc.).

• Creative Support: Provide innovative ideas and draft copy for all campaign-related materials.

• Presentation Development: Craft persuasive presentation materials to support fundraising efforts and awareness activities.

7. Review, Communication, and Reporting

• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly assess campaign performance and make strategic adjustments to maintain momentum.

• Regular Updates: Establish a schedule of review meetings to keep campaign leadership informed and engaged.

• Progress Reports: Deliver timely and detailed progress reports to ensure transparency and accountability.

8. Best Practices and Stewardship

• Industry Standards: Adhere to best practices throughout the campaign to maximize impact and efficiency.

• Stewardship: Ensure effective stewardship to maintain donor engagement and support beyond the campaign’s conclusion.

The American Association of Fundraising Professionals recommends the cost to conduct a capital campaign should not exceed 12% of the capital campaign goal. 

Baker Street’s professional fees are typically 5-8% - far below the national cost estimates for capital campaigns. They range between $9,500/month and $12,500/month, and our expenses (e.g., travel, lodging, meals) generally average $350-600/month, depending on the scope and complexity of the campaign.

This cost efficiency is achieved through our streamlined processes, local expertise, small company footprint, and focus on essential services without unnecessary overhead. Plus, and most importantly, we at Baker Street want our services to be affordable to nonprofits.

For Example

We are conducting a 14-month Capital Campaign Program with a $3 million goal for a renovation project.

Because of the details associated with this sample campaign, we have proposed our fees at $11,500/month with expenses estimated at $500/month.

$11,500 x 14 months = $161,000 for professional fees

$500 X 14 months = $7,000 (or less) for expenses

TOTAL = $168,000 - 5.6% of the $3 million campaign goal

• Expertise and Experience: With decades of experience, our team brings unparalleled expertise to every project, ensuring your campaign is positioned for success.

• Customized Approach: We tailor our strategies to meet your unique needs, ensuring personalized solutions that resonate with your organization and its supporters.

• Proven Track Record: Our history of successful campaigns speaks for itself. We’ve helped numerous nonprofits achieve their fundraising goals and make a lasting impact.

• Collaborative Partnership: At BSCG, we work hand-in-hand with you, fostering a true partnership that leverages your strengths and amplifies your message.

• Depth of Knowledge: Baker Street Consultants have specialized expertise in fundraising that can significantly boost the effectiveness of your campaign strategies.

• Cost-Effective Solution: While hiring consultants may initially seem like a significant expense, it is more cost-effective than hiring new full-time employees, incurring ongoing costs such as benefits, taxes, or long-term salaries. BSCG Consultants are engaged only for the duration of the campaign, making our team a cost-effective option for this specialized, temporary endeavor.

• Broader Perspectives: We bring fresh eyes to your organization’s challenges and opportunities and can often identify solutions that internal teams might overlook.

• Resource Allocation: While we must work together on the campaign, BSCG can manage some of the campaign intricacies or provide field-tested frameworks and templates, allowing you and your staff to focus on day-to-day operations without being overstretched.

• Accelerated Learning: Your team will learn advanced fundraising strategies and best practices firsthand from experts, enhancing their professional growth. It is also a great way to increase the capacity of your organization.

• Risk Reduction: BSCG Consultants help foresee potential pitfalls and devise strategies to avoid them, reducing the risks associated with ambitious fundraising goals.

• Strategic Fundraising: Our consultants will help develop a strategic approach to fundraising and donor stewardship, which is critical for long-term sustainability beyond the campaign.

• Donor Insights and Research: Our team has access to research tools and databases that provide valuable background, insights, and giving potential on prospective donors. We also have extensive grant research capabilities.

• Validation and Credibility: Having a reputable consulting team on board can enhance your organization and your project’s credibility, making it more attractive to major donors and stakeholders.

Can we pay our consultant a percentage of the funds raised?

This is a request we get a lot, but it should not be done by any consulting firm. Paying consultants a percentage of the funds raised can create ethical issues and may mislead donors who want their contributions to go directly to your cause. In fact, the AFP ethical guidelines advise against it.

Plus, any consultant should aim to build sustainable systems and processes that will benefit your organization in the long run. An incentive-based payment system could encourage practices that elicit short-term rewards at the expense of deeper relationship-building.

We recommend focusing on sustainable fundraising throughout your organization and pay for a nonprofit consultant through careful budgeting. Or, you may be able to find a grant to help pay for consulting services.

What additional fees might arise during a campaign?

Baker Street includes estimated fees and expenses such as travel, lodging, and meals in all of our proposals and we will not exceed that amount without discussing it with you first.

Additional campaign costs to consider:

• Design and Printing: Costs for developing and printing marketing materials.

• Website: You may incur costs updating your website or if you decide to use a social media strategist.

• Mailings or Promotions: Solicitation mailings, presentations, and public relations.

How do we choose the right fundraising consultant?

It’s important to find a consultant who understands your organization’s unique needs and goals. Consider their experience, approach, and how well they fit with your team. It’s also beneficial to speak with multiple consultants and request detailed proposals to make an informed decision.

Can our organization save money by handling parts of the campaign internally?

While internal efforts can reduce costs, partnering with a professional consultant ensures a strategic, comprehensive approach and often leads to higher fundraising success. Consultants bring expertise, experience, and an objective perspective that can significantly benefit your campaign.

How do we budget for a fundraising consultant?

Plan ahead and prioritize your needs. Discuss funding priorities with your board and consider seeking support from major donors specifically for the consulting project. It isn't out of the ordinary for a donor to step up to fund this type of engagement. You might also research grants that can be used for consulting services or technical support. Clear budgeting and understanding the consultant’s fee structure will help justify the expense to stakeholders.

How long does a typical capital campaign last?

The duration of a capital campaign can vary, but they typically span 14 to 36 months. This includes initial planning, active fundraising, and follow-up activities to ensure sustained donor engagement and support.

What outcomes can we expect from a successful capital campaign?

A successful capital campaign can result in substantial financial support for major projects, strengthened donor relationships, enhanced community engagement, and a solid foundation for future fundraising efforts.