[.ca] Capital Campaigns from the Ground Up: How Nonprofits Can ... (ISBN 0471220795)

Excellent Resource for Nonprofit leaders and professionals:
Capital Campaigns from the Ground Up: How Nonprofits Can Have the Buildings of their Dreams By: Stanley Weinstein ACFRE, EMBA Published by: The AFP/Wiley Fund Development Series Reviewed by: Norman Olshansky, President NFP Consulting Resources Inc. Planning for and conducting a Capital Campaign can be a very complex, time consuming and challenging enterprise for a nonprofit organization. It can also revitalize, enhance and enable organizations to dramatically improve their overall operations and financial resource development activities way beyond the conclusion of the campaign. Stanley Weinstein's book is a very good source for information on what it takes for a capital campaign to succeed. The main part of the book contains advice obtained from Weinstein, who was a professional fundraiser and consultant. He has many years of campaign experience, and was a former member of the national board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. His comments on planning, board involvement, prospect identification and cultivation, as well as on volunteer and solicitor training are very good. He also has separate chapters on Churches and Faith Based Institutions as well as Historic Preservation Projects. See below for chapter listing. One of the more significant aspects of the book, which is not found in most other publications on capital campaigns, is the chapter written by Dale Dekker, one of the contributing authors who is an architect. His input on Project Planning, Design, Construction, Furnishings, Contracting, etc. is excellent. The book also provides very good information on the basic techniques, skills, processes, timelines and pre-requisites for a successful capital campaign. It could be an even more valuable publication if it included more examples from case experiences that demonstrate creative use of newer fundraising techniques, divisional activities, marketing and additional information on how to help potential solicitors overcome anxiety related to making the ask. Budgeting and sequencing of the information could also be improved. It wasn't until chapter 8 that issues related to pre-campaign planning studies was reviewed. On the plus side, the inclusion of a detailed index at the end of the book helps to make the publication a valuable reference resource. Chapters include: Coordinating Project Planning and Fundraising Planning Confidence and Communications Building a Strong and Committed Board Project Planning Project Delivery Strategies Prospect Identification and Cultivation The Case for Support and Campaign Materials Precampaign Planning Study and Campaign Readiness Staff and Volunteer Solicitation Training Managing the Campaign Grants and Government Funding Churches and Faith Based Institutions Historic Preservation Projects Parting Thoughts Despite its limitations, this is a solid publication and a very helpful addition to the body of materials currently available on the subject.