--- title: Make the most out of the planning phase of your capital campaign description: The planning phase has a huge impact on the success of capital campaigns. Here's how ensure it goes smoothly and prepares your nonprofit for launch. image: https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/8-26-planning_1200x620.png --- [![](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/210111-RKD-Groupthinkers-Rebranded-Logo-Blog-png.png?width=157&name=210111-RKD-Groupthinkers-Rebranded-Logo-Blog-png.png)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com) - [Solutions](https://rkdgroup.com/services/) - [Mid-Level Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/mid-level-giving/) - [Monthly Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/monthly-giving/) - [Lapsed Giving](https://rkdgroup.com/services/lapsed-giving/) - [Personalization](https://rkdgroup.com/services/personalization/) - [Connectors](https://rkdgroup.com/services/connectors/) - [Machine Learning](https://rkdgroup.com/services/machine-learning/) - [Marketing + Fundraising](https://rkdgroup.com/services/marketing-fundraising/) - [Audience Development](https://rkdgroup.com/services/audience-development/) - [Creative Services](https://rkdgroup.com/services/creative-services/) - [Data Management](https://rkdgroup.com/services/data-management/) - [Strategic Planning](https://rkdgroup.com/services/strategic-planning/) - [Analytics](https://rkdgroup.com/services/analytics/) - [Causes](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/) - [Animal Care](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/animal-care/) - [Food Banks](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/food-banks/) - [Health + Hospitals](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/health-hospitals/) - [Humanitarian](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/humanitarian/) - [Missions](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/missions/) - [Salvation Army](https://rkdgroup.com/causes/the-salvation-army/) - [Results](https://rkdgroup.com/results/) - [Acquisition](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=acquisition) - [Digital](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=digital) - [Mid-Major Programs](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=mid-major-programs) - [Advanced Analytics](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=advanced-analytics) - [Direct Mail](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=direct-mail) - [Multichannel Strategy](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=multichannel-strategy) - [Data Management](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=data-management) - [Media](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=media) - [Website Development](https://rkdgroup.com/results?cat=website-development) - [Resources](https://rkdgroup.com/insights/) - [Blog](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/) - [Benchmarks](https://info.rkdgroup.com/benchmarks) - [Webinars](https://info.rkdgroup.com/webinars) - [Ebooks + Research](https://info.rkdgroup.com/ebooks-research) - [Podcast](https://info.rkdgroup.com/group-thinkers-nonprofit-marketing-podcast) - [Field Guides](https://info.rkdgroup.com/field-guides) - [About Us](https://rkdgroup.com/about/) - [Leadership](https://rkdgroup.com/about/leadership/) - [Careers](https://rkdgroup.com/about/careers/) - [Let's Chat](https://rkdgroup.com/lets-chat/) #### Subscribe to our blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates ## Featured Post   [RKD Group](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group) ## [What happens when a 'long shot' becomes the leader? | Susan Blouch, Lebanon Rescue Mission](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission) “They are never going to give this job to a woman,” a friend told Susan Blouch. [Podcast](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/podcast) [Missions](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/missions) [Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission)   [Shane Thornal](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/shane-thornal) ## [Why nonprofits must unite SEO, social and paid media in one strategy](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy) Someone at your organization “owns” paid media. Someone else—often younger and under resourced—runs the social accounts. A third person (or maybe no one\[...\] [Digital Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-fundraising) [SEO](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/seo) [Digital Media](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-media) [Social Media](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/social-media) [Data & Analytics](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/data-analytics) [Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-nonprofits-must-unite-seo-social-and-paid-media-in-one-strategy) ## Recent Posts [Capital Campaigns](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/capital-campaigns) # Make the most out of the planning phase of your capital campaign By [RKD Group](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group) Missed our recent Fundraising Refreshments webinar on the planning phase of capital campaigns? Check it out:   ![](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/5d8ntc6mij/swatch) [Capital campaigns](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/capital-campaigns-how-direct-response-can-support-your-efforts) are an exciting time for nonprofit organizations. But they’re also a significant and very visible undertaking.   While many spend their energy on the public phase of the process, the planning phase is equally as important. Serving as the foundation for your entire campaign, the planning phase has a huge impact on your success. In fact, more than half of first-time capital campaigns fizzle out before they are launched or fully funded due to insufficient planning and analysis.  How can you ensure the planning phase goes smoothly and prepares you for launch? It’s all about laying the proper groundwork.   Proper planning phases generally take 3-6 months and are broken into the following three periods:    1. Conceptual modeling of the vision  2. Data-driven donor insights 3. Pre-campaign case for support  Each of these serves a distinct purpose and will help you determine whether you have the vision and information needed for a successful capital campaign. Let’s spend a little time talking about the first: Conceptual modeling of the vision.   It’s important that this period happens before all others because it’s all about diving deep into the vision behind your capital campaign to fine-tune, ideate, create a timeline and map the process of this endeavor.   During this time, the goal should be to:   - **Bring in an unbiased, outside view:** Sometimes we’re too close to a project to properly assess its readiness. An unbiased opinion can help you determine: Is the timing correct? Is the campaign compelling? Will it advance the mission? Can it be funded?   - **Evaluate the vision and define the specifics:** This will help determine how you speak to donors and position the campaign to leadership.  - **Understand the donor’s point of view:** Put yourself in their shoes. How does a donor view your proposal? What language does the donor use when they talk about the campaign?   - **Assess organizational readiness:** When we talk about this, it’s really looking at the leadership and your major donor development staff. Are they fully behind it? Do they understand what the capital campaign entails and what it’s trying to fulfill? Will they put their heart into it?   From here, we dive into data-driven donor insights and pre-campaign case for support.   The video above is a recording of my recent Fundraising Refreshments webinar on this topic. Watch it to learn more about the next two periods of the planning phase. If you’re getting ready to embark on a capital campaign and have any questions about the process, feel free to [contact us](https://rkdgroup.com/contact/) to talk more!  ### [RKD Group](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group) RKD Group is North America's leading fundraising and marketing services provider to hundreds of nonprofit organizations, including hospitals, social service, disease research, animal welfare, rescue missions, and faith-based charities. RKD Group’s omnichannel approach leverages technology, advanced data science and award-winning strategic and creative leadership to accelerate net revenue growth, build long-term donor relationships and drive online and offline engagements and donations. With a growing team of professionals, RKD Group creates breakthroughs never thought possible. [Follow me on Twitter](https://twitter.com/RKDGroup) [![ListenUp blog banner](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ListenUp%20blog%20banner.png?width=729&name=ListenUp%20blog%20banner.png)](https://info.rkdgroup.com/listen-up) #### Leave a comment: Previous ##### [Major donors are researching you! Do you pass the ‘headline test’?](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/major-donors-are-researching-you-do-you-pass-the-headline-test) Next Post ##### [How inflation is affecting nonprofit fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/how-inflation-is-affecting-nonprofit-fundraising) ### Search GroupThinkers ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/459002/Assets%20Apr/magnifying-glass.png) [![GP FG - Blog Rail 340x340](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GP%20FG%20-%20Blog%20Rail%20%20340x340.png?width=340&name=GP%20FG%20-%20Blog%20Rail%20%20340x340.png "GP FG - Blog Rail 340x340")](https://info.rkdgroup.com/givingpulse-field-guide-q1-2024-access) [![MidYear Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MidYear%20Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold.png?width=340&name=MidYear%20Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold.png "MidYear Benchmarks-Sidebar_SolidGold")](https://info.rkdgroup.com/donor-trust-access) - Latest Posts - Popular Posts [What happens when a 'long shot' becomes the leader? | Susan Blouch, Lebanon Rescue Mission](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-happens-when-a-long-shot-becomes-the-leader-susan-blouch-lebanon-rescue-mission) [ Podcast](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/podcast) [ Missions](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/missions) [Rossi's Roundup: The fundraising landscape is shifting. Are you ready?](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rossis-roundup-the-fundraising-landscape-is-shifting.-are-you-ready) [ Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [RKD Group Acquires Whiteboard](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/rkd-group-acquires-whiteboard) [ Digital Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-fundraising) [ Direct Mail Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/direct-mail-fundraising) [ Multichannel](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/multichannel) [ Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising) [ Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [ RKD](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/rkd) [ Brand](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/brand) ### Categories - [Digital Fundraising (180)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/digital-fundraising) - [Podcast (136)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/podcast) - [Nonprofit Industry (126)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/nonprofit-industry) - [Data & Analytics (91)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/data-analytics) - [Digital Media (69)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/digital-media) - [Fundraising (55)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/fundraising) - [Trends (47)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/trends) - [COVID-19 (42)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/covid-19) - [Multichannel (41)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/multichannel) - [Food Banks (39)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/food-banks) - [Animal Care (37)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/animal-care) - [Donor Retention (36)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donor-retention) - [Mid-Major Donors (35)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/mid-major-donors) - [Strategy (35)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/strategy) - [Direct Mail Fundraising (34)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/direct-mail-fundraising) - [Missions (32)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/missions) - [Stewardship (31)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/stewardship) - [Creative (29)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/creative) - [Leadership (24)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/leadership) - [Sustainer Donors (20)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/sustainer-donors) - [Year-End Giving (19)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/year-end-giving) - [Acquisition (18)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/acquisition) - [Social Media (18)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/social-media) - [Cultivation (17)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/cultivation) - [Email (16)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/email) - [Google Grant (15)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/google-grant) - [Optimization (15)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/optimization) - [SEO (15)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/seo) - [Data Privacy (14)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/data-privacy) - [Technology (14)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/technology) - [Giving Tuesday (13)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/giving-tuesday) - [Humanitarian Action (13)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/humanitarian-action) - [Events (12)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/events) - [Donation Pages (11)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donation-pages) - [Health & Hospitals (11)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/health-hospitals) - [Conversion (10)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/conversion) - [Brand (9)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/brand) - [Donor Lifecycle (9)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donor-lifecycle) - [Donor-Advised Funds (9)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/donor-advised-funds) - [Management (8)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/management) - [RKD (8)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/rkd) - [Audience-First (6)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/audience-first) - [Facebook (6)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/facebook) - [The Salvation Army (6)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/the-salvation-army) - [GDPR (4)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/gdpr) - [User Experience (4)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/user-experience) - [Conferences (3)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/conferences) - [Election (3)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/election) - [Postal Service (3)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/postal-service) - [Attribution (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/attribution) - [Capital Campaigns (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/capital-campaigns) - [Gift Catalog (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/gift-catalog) - [Ministries (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/ministries) - [Mobile (2)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/mobile) - [CRM (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/crm) - [Corporate giving (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/corporate-giving) - [DRTV (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/drtv) - [Planned Giving (1)](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/tag/planned-giving) see all [![Gen X eBook download](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gen%20X%20eBook%20download.jpg?width=360&name=Gen%20X%20eBook%20download.jpg "Gen X eBook download")](https://info.rkdgroup.com/en/the-nonprofit-marketers-guide-to-generation-x) ### Read More of What You Like ![Rkdgroup](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/Rkdgroup%20Sep%202017/Images/footer_logo.png "Rkdgroup") - [Solutions](https://rkdgroup.com/services/) - [Work](https://rkdgroup.com/work/) - [About Us](https://rkdgroup.com/about-us/) - [Blog](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/) - [Contact](https://rkdgroup.com/contact/) [Contact](https://rkdgroup.com/contact) - - - RKD Group is a leading fundraising and marketing provider to hundreds of nonprofit organizations. We have a team of experts with deep skill sets in direct response marketing. [connect@rkdgroup.com](mailto:connect@rkdgroup.com) [1 800 222 6070](tel:1-800-222-6070) [Privacy policy](https://rkdgroup.com/privacy-policy) - - - ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "RKD Group", "url" : "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/rkd-group" }, "dateModified" : "2023-06-21T14:12:27.381Z", "datePublished" : "2022-08-30T15:32:52.000Z", "headline" : "Make the most out of the planning phase of your capital campaign", "image" : [ "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/8-26-planning_1200x620.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/make-the-most-out-of-the-planning-phase-of-your-capital-campaign", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.rkdgroup.com/hubfs/RKD-logo-red-tm%20(1).png" }, "name" : "RKD Group" } } ```