MARCH INSIGHTS

3 Key Things a Capital Campaign Can Raise (Beyond Just Money) 

By Jason Huff, Rome Group Consultant

Capital campaigns are focused, time-limited efforts aimed at raising significant funds for a specific project. Successful campaigns are judged by whether they raised enough to meet (or exceed) their monetary goal. However, it’s more than just money that campaigns can raise for an organization, including:  

A focus on relationship-based fundraising

Often, relationship-based fundraising (or major gifts) is sidelined by tasks that seem more urgent. Annual appeals, special events, grant proposals, newsletters – the list of deadlines that fundraisers face is never ending.  

A capital campaign adds structure to relationship-based fundraising. During the planning phase, organizations assess internal systems and policies to ensure they can manage the added workload of a campaign while maintaining ongoing fundraising.  

"Clear processes for data management, communication, and roles are established or refined to ensure everyone knows how to support the campaign.

This structure can be maintained after the campaign and applied to almost any aspect of your fundraising program.

Engagement of the Board and other leadership volunteers

Board members and volunteers are crucial to fundraising success. Their active involvement in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and acknowledging donors is key.  

A capital campaign offers a unique chance to engage volunteers by involving them in a campaign committee. Committee members receive training and support to confidently approach prospective donors. The built-in urgency of a campaign adds a level of shared accountability that helps maintain momentum.  The excitement of securing a gift or pledge only adds to the energy that keeps volunteers motivated.  I have seen the most reluctant committee member turn into the most successful solicitor after they received their first “yes”. 

The level of ongoing donor support

Campaigns offer donors the chance to give at higher levels than usual, sometimes even making their largest gift.  Maintaining annual giving for operating expenses is essential. A campaign gift is separate from annual donations, but it can pave the way for future increases in giving. 

For example: 
Phil and Ann Thropy consistently donate $1,000 to the annual fund.  After careful cultivation, they generously pledge $10,000 over five years to the capital campaign, giving $3,000 each year to fulfill both their annual and campaign commitments. 

Five years later, the Thropys have completed their pledge.  Through proper stewardship and a well-timed ask, the Thropys agree to maintain their giving at $3,000 each year, with the entire donation directed to the annual fund.  

That’s a 300% increase over what they gave just five years ago!

Every campaign offers a chance to strengthen relationships, engage volunteers, and increase annual giving.

 
At The Rome Group, we’re dedicated to helping you get the most out of your capital campaign. Let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your goals!

A Foundation for the Future: An Inside Look at the St. Louis Community Foundation’s Strategic Priority Areas

The St. Louis Community Foundation has identified youth connections and economic mobility as its strategic priorities for the next five years. This focus aims to enhance the social and emotional well-being of young people, support their academic success, and establish pathways to prosperous careers. By addressing these areas, the foundation seeks to create a more equitable and thriving St. Louis community. Click here to read more.

Democracy Faces Threats; Grassroots Action Offers Hope, Report Finds

A recent report by CIVICUS highlights significant threats to democracy worldwide in 2025, including increased authoritarianism and restrictions on civic freedoms. Despite these challenges, the report emphasizes the pivotal role of grassroots movements in fostering democratic resilience and driving societal change. It underscores the necessity of supporting local civic actions to counteract democratic backsliding and promote inclusive governance. Click here to read more.

BoardBridge Applications Opening Soon

Launched as a pilot test in fall 2023, BoardBridge is an initiative of FOCUS St. Louis designed to help connect nonprofit organizations with potential board candidates. Applications for both nonprofits and candidates are now open for our Spring 2025 round of FOCUS BoardBridge! Applications will close on April 18, 2025, or earlier if capacity is reached. Click here to learn more.

Regions Bank Offers Community Collaboration Grant

Following their 10^th Annual Community Convening, Regions has announced a grant opportunity in the amount of $25,000 for organizations that collaborate to accomplish something together that couldn’t be done independently. Note that at least one of the collaborators needed to be present at the convening. Regions will be offering a Webex to answer any questions on April 2, 2025 at 10am. Click here to join the virtual Webex. 

Grassroots Funding Opportunity

The St. Louis County Children's Service Fund (CSF) offers the Grassroots Funding Opportunity to support small, community-based organizations providing mental and behavioral health services to children and families in St. Louis County. This initiative aims to address systemic disparities by investing in nonprofits with operating budgets of $1 million or less, whose leadership and staff reflect the communities they serve. Eligible programs include those enhancing social and emotional capacities, family strengthening, youth development, trauma healing, and substance use education. The letter of intent for the 2025–2027 funding cycle is due on March 31, 2025 at 12pm CST. CSF is generously underwriting technical assistance — to be provided by The Rome Group — for applicants invited to submit full proposals.  Click here for more information.

Health Data Bootcamp: Consolidation and Corporatization in the U.S. Healthcare System

WashU's Center for Advancing Health Service Policy & Economics Research is hosting a Health Data Bootcamp for individuals to learn how to use health system data. The event will feature national health policy expert Dhruv Khullar, MD, MPP, associate professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and writer at The New Yorker, where he writes about medicine, health care, and politics. His keynote will be followed by seven lightning talks on data and research, including speakers from the St. Louis Fed and the Midwest Health Initiative. In-person attendees are also invited to participate in interactive breakout sessions and a networking lunch. Click here to register. 

Future Pathways: Managing Sustainability and Burnout with Alice Berry

Mid-America Arts Alliance is hosting a virtual workshop series focused on delivering essential skills to nonprofit managers and arts leaders. In this interactive workshop, Alice Berry, artist and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), will discuss methods of managing organizational sustainability and burnout. This free webinar will be held on April 10, 2025 from 11am-12pm. Click here to learn more and register for the workshop.

Brown School Centennial Weekend

Join Washington University’s Brown School for its Centennial Weekend, April 25–26, 2025! Celebrate 100 years of impact in social work, public health, and social policy with engaging panels, networking, and a fun community celebration. A great opportunity for nonprofit professionals to connect and be inspired! Click here to learn more and RSVP.

Profiles of Purpose: Black Sexual, Reproductive & Maternal Health

Nonprofit Job Openings 

See the latest opportunities to serve your community. 

The People Section

Congratulations to the following individuals who are starting new roles in the St. Louis nonprofit community.

Lora Gulley, Chief Operating Officer, Generate Health STL

Joeleen Heman, Case Advocacy Supervisor, CASA of St. Louis

Scott McIntosh, Development Director, Home Sweet Home

Suzanne Sierra, Executive Director, St. Louis Mosaic Project

Lea Townson, Case Advocacy Supervisor, CASA of St. Louis

Do you have news about a job opening, new hire, promotion, or other happenings? If so, send us your news and we’ll consider including it in our next issue of Insights. 

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