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Leadership · typically years 7–15Capital CampaignsFree preview

Capital Campaign Readiness

Before the feasibility study, before the consultant: an honest readiness assessment and the two years of quiet work that make campaigns succeed.

Through the Higher Ed lens

The annual-program foundation is usually strong in a mature advancement shop, so the readiness gap more often shows up in the leadership-pyramid section, whether principal-gift relationships exist beyond the names the campaign is assuming, or in the capacity section, where a comprehensive count spanning every school and unit can outstrip even a well-staffed office's systems.

Continuing education

1.50 points

Leadership and Management · Securing the Gift

Learning objectives

  • State the four foundations of campaign readiness, a healthy annual program, a credible case and plan, a leadership pyramid, and the capacity to carry it, and explain why readiness is assessed before a feasibility study.
  • Score the four-part readiness assessment out of 40 with your ED and development chair, read the parts before the total, and convert every item scored 0 or 1 into a fix with an owner and a date.
  • Run a quiet phase that secures 100% board participation, the lead gift in writing, and the leadership tier before announcing, with a commitment threshold in the 50% to 70% range set from the tested gift table.
  • Decide whether campaign counsel earns its fee for a given campaign, scope any engagement to a defined function with knowledge transfer written in, and decline percentage-based compensation.

Designed for CFRE continuing education. Not yet accepted; no CFRE points can be claimed.

Lessons

Each lesson opens on its own page. Complete written lessons are available now. Downloadable editions open as each one clears review, and video editions follow.

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