Raising transformative gifts
“Capital campaigns are moments of transformation for nonprofits—both in terms of serving the mission and donors’ relationship with the organization.”
Jethro Miller
Ambitious Goals, Impactful Results
Capital campaigns are opportunities to raise donors’ sights and ask for larger gifts than ever before. They can also engage new leaders in specific work tied directly to the organization’s future. They serve to bring together board members and staff around ambitious, exciting, and shared goals.
What Does a Successful Capital Campaign Require?
Compelling Case
Inspire donors to think larger than ever before.
Engaged Leadership
Ensure that they're personally committed to the campaign's success.
Pool of Donors
Engage those with the capacity to make large gifts.
Detailed Plan
Develop a strategy to reach an ambitious but achievable fundraising goal.
What Sets Jethro and His Team Apart
We have experience in planning and running capital campaigns for a variety of organizations—large and small, national and local—and reflecting a wide spectrum of missions, from healthcare and social service to advocacy, education, and culture. Their campaign goals have ranged from $5 million to hundreds of millions of dollars.
We have expertise in helping organizations build the internal staff capacity for campaign fundraising so they do not need to rely solely on outside consultants. Instead, we can support organizations in investing in their development teams for long-term growth and sustainability.
Our experience with campaigns has shown that while leadership support and a strategic approach to fundraising are absolutely necessary, they are insufficient by themselves. That's why JMA recommends conducting a readiness assessment and feasibility study before launching a campaign, and then using precise metrics and project management techniques during the campaign.
Jill Lafer
Former Board Chair
Planned Parenthood
Federation of America
"Jethro led a highly successful $250 million capital campaign, created a very effective bequest challenge, and expanded individual giving programs, all while maintaining excellent relationships with the board. In short, Jethro was the best development professional I've worked with in 40 years—'professional' being the best word I can use to describe him."
Campaign Readiness Assessment and Feasibility Study
An effective campaign process should include developing a preliminary case statement and conducting one-on-one interviews with top prospective donors (in-person or virtually). These initial conversations a) evaluate reactions to the case statement; b) measure willingness to donate and become involved; c) identify other possible campaign donors and volunteer leaders; and d) capture responses to a preliminary campaign goal and recognition plans.
The subsequent report would then include recommendations related to the campaign goal and a table of gifts as well as top prospective donors and volunteer leaders, and revisions to the preliminary case statement, donor recognition strategies, and a draft campaign timetable.
Campaign Management
JMA can provide leadership in managing a campaign throughout its lifecycle—by providing team members, helping your organization design a plan to invest in its own staff, and coaching your organization’s campaign team.
In addition, JMA can develop the implementation plan, including detailed timelines to ensure that the campaign stays on schedule. To propel the campaign forward, JMA can assist with the recruitment of campaign volunteer leaders and the solicitation of top campaign prospects. We can also guide you through both a campaign’s private phase, focused on raising the largest gifts, and public phase, focused on raising broad awareness and a large pool of smaller gifts.