Fundraising- Helpful Hint #4- Capital Campaign- Feasibility Study (a/k/a Planning Study)

A Feasibility Study (commonly referred to these days as a Planning Study) is an excellent tool to help your organization gather information about its internal and external readiness for a capital campaign. It is also a very valuable tool that can be used to cultivate key decision makers, major gift prospects and potential leaders.

A good basic discussion of the benefits of a study, as well as the process, has been created by Tony Poderis. Identifying the value of a feasibility study, Mr. Poderis points out:

“At one time, a feasibility study for a capital or endowment campaign was little more than a process of identifying where the money was -- who had it and how much they might be willing to give. No longer. In today's donor-centric world, an organization needs to assess the:

1. Community's perception of the importance of the need for which
money is to be raised.

2. Feelings, both positive and negative, about the organization and
its mission.

3. Size of the potential donor base and its ability to give.

4. Availability of strong campaign leadership and effective volunteers.

5. Internal resources available for the campaign and the preparedness
of the organization to undertake it.

6. External factors that could influence the outcome of the campaign.”

To access Mr. Poderis’ complete article, just click on the title to this post.