Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications Ep. 230: Think Big: How Capital Campaigns Fuel Long-Term Growth (with Amy Eisenstein)
Jun 7, 2025
Amy Eisenstein, CEO and co-founder of Capital Campaign Pro, brings her expertise in fundraising to the forefront. She debunks misconceptions about capital campaigns, emphasizing that success doesn't rely on wealthy board members. The conversation covers the importance of feasibility studies, the joys of matching donors with impactful causes, and the significance of strategic storytelling. Eisenstein also highlights practical strategies for nonprofits, urging organizations to embrace boldness and harness technology for fundraising growth.
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What Defines a Capital Campaign
- A capital campaign focuses on large, multi-year fundraising for major projects that elevate an organization's capacity and mission impact.
- It is not for annual operating funds but for long-term investments like buildings, programs, or capacity funds.
Capital Campaigns Fuel Growth
- Capital campaigns are vital every 10 to 20 years for nonprofits to achieve significant growth and innovation.
- They go beyond annual fundraising by enabling big leaps in programmatic and organizational capacity.
Wealthy Boards Not Required
- Don’t rely on having wealthy board members; instead build a board united around the campaign's vision and willing to give and advocate.
- Recruit campaign committee members to complement the board’s strengths and support the campaign.
