FUNDING BRIEF
STAYING ON COURSE WITH
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTS
What should you do if your campaign gets off track?
Remember the early 1970’s television program The Dating
Game? One contestant sat behind a screen and asked
questions to three unknown individuals – hoping that
the ensuing date would result in magic.
Well, your selection of a capital campaign consultant is a
little like that show. You and your campaign committee
ask prospective firms questions and then try to pick
“the right one.” Once selected, you hope that the chosen
consultant brings desired results.
It is important that your committee interview several
firms, assess their services, and try to rate your
congregation’s compatibility with them. Capital
campaign consultants offer a wide range of resources,
including conducting a feasibility study to assess your
funding capacity; defining the roles of key leaders;
providing strategies and organization to the campaign;
training volunteers and staff to ask for contributions;
developing communication materials, and collaborating
with the congregation’s committee to ensure everything
is done to reach your goal.
Such services range in cost from approximately $40,000
to $60,000, depending on the scope and timeframe of
a campaign. Typically, consultants work in six-month
periods. You and your committee can expect to meet with
them frequently as the campaign takes shape.
Certainly, your collaboration should result in increased
funding and a successful campaign. However, what
should you do if the campaign gets off track? First, step
back to get perspective. Were your expectations realistic?
Did you believe that the consultant’s participation would
ensure a million-dollar gift? It’s important to know
that capital campaign consultants don’t bring a list of
philanthropists to the table.
Consultants will help you review and rate your list of
members, both current and past. They will help your
committee conduct a “rating” meeting so that members’
true capacities for gifts are assessed. They can guide your
committee in brainstorming about other connections as
sources of support.
Capital campaign consultants may draft some foundation
proposals, though this is not typical. Foundations have
specific guidelines; visit your central library’s reference
department to read the latest Foundation Center
Directory – your library may also have access to the
Foundation Center’s online services, which
19 • Sacred Places • www.sacredplaces.org • Fall 2009
include sample proposals. If so, then you can also check
regional foundations’ tax returns for information on past
recipients, typical grant ranges and contact information.
Keep in mind, i