Capital campaigns are exciting! They hold the power to transform your work, your opportunities and your mission. But let’s be real – we all know they are a heavy and complex lift.
One key success factor: The strength of your volunteer leadership.
The right volunteer leaders can absolutely make or break your campaign.
That’s where this handy checklist comes in. We want to guide you to gauge your volunteer leadership readiness and set you on the path to a super successful campaign.
Why Do We Need Strong Volunteer Leadership?
Why are influential leaders so crucial for capital campaigns? It all comes down to trust.
You need strong trust and organizational credibility for your initiative, and these lovely leaders can help you build it.
These people have already earned the magic ingredient of credibility in your community. They can add connections and resources to your cause.
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When major community leaders step up to champion your campaign, it’s like a big thumbs-up to potential donors. Plus, they can bring a “multiplier effect.”
Since a capital campaign is built on major gifts, you also want volunteer leaders who have financial capacity to make leadership campaign gifts. Their early enthusiasm and investments will help attract other donors, creating a wonderful ripple of generosity!
The Volunteer Leadership Checklist: A Deep Dive
Let’s explore each question in more detail:
1. Do you have a history of influential people involved with your cause in the past?
Can you evaluate the people who have been involved with your organization in the past? They can actually be a fantastic predictor of future support.
When key individuals already understand your work and its value, it’s easy to rekindle their enthusiasm. Consider looking back through your donor records, event attendees, and especially your neglected former board members.
Who are the former donors and leaders of your past capital campaigns? Reviewing your past leaders will help you discover some hidden gems!
Think about well-known figures, business and social leaders, or philanthropists in your area. How about a former mayor or governor? Could you access them?
Also, consider the top community leaders and stakeholders in your service community. Who is well-known and respected? Who are the influencers in your specific community?
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Ask yourself: Do these individuals align with our mission? Do you have access or can you gain it?
Why not make a list of your Dream Team Campaign Committee? That’s an exciting initiative that will probably get everyone fired-up! !
3. Do you have influential people currently involved with your cause?
It’s excellent if you have some influential and well-known people already involved. These individuals are your low-hanging fruit!
Who are your “Influencers”? What doors can they open? Who can they influence?
These individuals might be current board members, major donors, or volunteers. Start by identifying the network of key leaders that you have right now.
How strong are your relationships with them? Can you get them even more involved right now?
Why not engage them immediately by having Advice Visits with them. Seek their input about your early campaign planning – and you’ll find some doors they can open right now.
4. Can you identify potential campaign leaders and create a plan to enlist them?
This is where a little (or a lot!) research comes in. What are their interests? What’s their giving history? How strong is your relationship with them?
Who do they know? And, more importantly, who can influence them?
Once you have identified your Dream Team Campaign Committee leaders, it’s time to look deeply into your connections with them. Often there are a series of steps to take before your leaders are able to get an in-person meeting with the right leaders.
Consider creating a personalized outreach plan to engage them. Start by asking for advice, having coffee, or having a brief meeting to brainstorm your plans.
5. Do you have campaign leaders already enlisted?
Often, an institution will identify its top most-desired campaign leaders early on. If the perfect leader is already on board and willing to step up, move forward now with an early invitation.
If they are already on board, that’s terrific! Waste no time. Get them onboarded and start engaging them in the excitement of early campaign planning.
They can give you valuable feedback and guidance on building your case for the campaign. Most of all, they can provide access to other potential campaign leaders at their level.
6. Can your leaders make major gifts to the campaign?
We look toward our campaign leadership for major and even mega gifts to the campaign.
It is important to consider their financial capacity. Their early and generous support will help “floor” the campaign by adding even more credibility and establishing the key ingredient of momentum.
Their early gifts will also influence others. Donors are more likely to give generously when they see leaders doing the same.
It’s a bit of a dance, but when you are enlisting them, it’s important to have an open conversation about giving capacity.
How Did You Do? Interpreting Your Results
Analyze your answers. A string of “yes” responses? You’re in great shape!
Mostly “maybe” or “no”? That’s okay. It just means you have some areas to focus on. Prioritize the topics where you have the most room to grow.
Bottom Line: The Right Leadership Volunteers Can Make or Break Your Campaign
Strong volunteer leadership is the secret sauce for a successful capital campaign.
Keep following this series for the Capital Campaign Readiness Checklist. This resource will help you take a good look at who you have to work with, and help you to get ready to make some fundraising magic happen!
#Volunteer #Leaders #Capital #CampaignReady
