Should You Go It Alone or Get Professional Counsel?

What Is Involved In A Capital Campaign?

A capital campaign is a one-time fundraising initiative over a long time span. Its purpose is to raise significant funds for the specific purpose of building a building, undertaking a major building renovation or expansion, or purchasing a major piece of necessary equipment.

Raising capital funds for a building program includes:

• Developing a case or vision statement
• Defining objectives and project components with goals
• Research the readiness of your congregation for a campaign
• Develop a strategic plan with timelines for accomplishments and activities
• Construct a campaign budget
• Select the right volunteers and providing training
• Develop a table of thoughtful giving
• Evaluate the campaign’s effectiveness

Types of consultants

There are several types of fund raising consulting options available to the church.

Consulting Firms - These firms usually provide the most comprehensive consulting services for major campaigns. Services range from having senior executives do periodic consultations with organizations to full-time resident counsel. Resident counsel, usually a younger person who works under the direct supervision of an executive, moves to your city and works completely for your organization. Most consulting firms charge on a flat fee basis based on the time and service provided. Almost none work on a percentage basis. The more service required, the higher the fee. In almost every circumstance, a resident director firm will cost more than an executive consultant firm.

Consulting firms work to teach, train, motivate and orient organizations to succeed in fund raising. Like any consulting arrangement, volunteer and staff leaders must be very involved and active in the campaign to succeed.

Independent Consultants - The major difference between an Independent Consultant and Consulting Firm is the number of people available to work on the campaign. Consulting Firms will almost always use a "team approach", thereby increasing the amount of advice and guidance available.

Almost always, Independent Consultants are less expensive than Consulting Firms - mostly because they provide less time and resources than the Consulting Firm, and their overhead is considerably lower.
Fund raising counsel can bring two very important roles to the campaign.

Consultation and Strategy - Counsel brings fund raising experience, knowledge and strategies to a capital campaign.

Direction and Implementation - The execution and implementation of the fund raising plan will have a great effect on the campaign’s success. Together, the church and the consultant will make strategic in a campaign, but the execution of these decisions will determine the ultimate success of the campaign.
While the consultant will provide strategic direction, it is important for the church to understand and accept that it has management responsibilities in the campaign. Members and clergy of the church are the “Leaders” of any proposed campaign. The responsibility of the outside director is organizing the effort and to inspire enthusiasm and diligence. The church members do the soliciting.

Why Secure the Services of an Outside Director?

1. His experience should eliminate wasted time. His direction of the group should produce clear thinking and effective action.
2. He instills confidence that the undertaking can be accomplished.
3. He knows the most efficient way of preparing brochures, letters and mailing schedules, securing and training workers, organizing teams, assigning of calls, preparing pledge cards, and auditing procedures.
4. An outside director can move the church from indecision to concerted action, through adherence to prescribed schedules and procedures.
5. A leader from outside the church can provide the church with a workable program which, church leaders can endorse with harmony and enthusiasm.

It is a wise procedure to contract only on a flat fixed-fee basis, agreed upon in advance. This fixed-fee generally depends upon the amount to be raised, and the amount of leadership time required. Capital campaign consultants should also be cost-effective. Good counsel is also flexible, adapting their style and fees to meet the needs of the church.

Glen Trematore
Principal, Church Development Services LLC.
Provides off the Shelf Church Building Plans and
Managers of Church Fund Raising Campaigns.
Can be reached via email at glentrematore@yahoo.com