Capital Campaign Readiness Scorecard

You are a nonprofit leader who knows something has to give. Your facilities have outlived their intended lifespan, and short-term fixes will no longer do. Or your space has reached capacity while your constituents line up around the block figuratively or literally. You’re considering a capital campaign.

Or maybe you’ve seen a fellow nonprofit launch the public phase of their campaign and you’re curious about what it takes to get there but don’t know where to start.

A capital campaign is a major undertaking. Most nonprofits and nonprofit leaders – boards and senior staff – have never experienced one.

To help you begin processing the basics of what’s required of an organization beginning to plan for a capital campaign, use the following scorecard to evaluate your readiness. Share it with staff and board members and compare your results. Use it to get the conversation started.

Rate each statement from 1 (Not True) to 5 (Very True).

Score Interpretation

36-45 points
Your organization may be well positioned to begin campaign planning. A capital campaign workshop will help get your board and staff on the same page and answer all your questions about the process before moving forward.

27-35 points
Additional preparation may strengthen your likelihood of campaign success. The key piece you must work to have in place before campaign planning begins is board support for the project and the campaign. Speak with them privately and individually about their personal commitment to seeing the project through.

Below 27 points
Your organization may benefit from addressing key readiness factors before launching a campaign. Shore up your scores in as many of these areas as you can. Use our capital campaign readiness assessment to ask important questions of your organization.

Take the Next Step

Learn as much as you can about capital campaigns by reviewing our other campaign resources.

Wherever you fall on the scorecard, Campaign Counsel is always happy to discuss your project and your options. We can help as you sort through your next steps. Contact us today!