Reflections on Generosity for Capital Campaigns

"..For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts,” Middlemarch by George Eliot

Reflection questions:

• Have you removed a prospective foundation or donor who funds similar nonprofits just because you don’t think you can compete?
• How can you shift your mindset to being confident in the impact your campaign will have?

Reflection on quote:

Can we compete? Is our campaign too small? Smaller capital campaigns have a greater impact in our small towns and rural communities. Yet, when applying for capital grants or preparing to meet with a major donor, it is easy to fall into a mindset that our campaign is just too small to compete. For example, we don't serve as many clients as a similar urban nonprofit, or our grant request will be outside of the normal range for a foundation. This mindset can cause us to view the smaller nature of our campaign as a detriment or a flaw. This is a true challenge.

However, a change in mindset can help us compete confidently in grant requests and when discussing a campaign with donors. We start with changing our mindset by understanding the impact our organization has in our communities. Often when we consider our population, we serve a higher per capita of people or land or animals or historic objects when compared to an urban area. For example, the sole community theater in our town with three productions a year will likely per capita have more participation in the production, a higher number of people attending at least one theater production per year, and a greater appreciation of the value that the arts through this community theater has to the quality of life of our community.

We change our mindset also through conversations with those impacted with our services and by asking what their lives would look like without us. Urban areas may have multiple nonprofits serving the same mission. In our small towns, we can quantify what will happen if a building doesn't get rebuilt or our programs can't be delivered. We can quantify the impact of a wait list because our clients or animals or places can't be served by another organization. The contrast can be stark, and we can tell those stories to foundations and donors.

Another mindset shift comes from conversations with those funders. The saying biggest bang for the buck is often true for funders. Unless the funding guidelines preclude giving to smaller requests, foundations can view higher per capita impact when framed that way quite favorably. Major donors who used to live in more populated areas and have experienced larger requests can be invited to see the difference that our impact makes through tours and constituent conversations.

Yes, a smaller capital campaign can present a challenge in competing with larger campaigns. However, those larger campaigns are unlikely to have as much impact as our smaller campaigns. Our campaign size isn't a flaw, it's a part of our compelling story. We can build a confident mindset when we grasp that as a strength.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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"..For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts,” Middlemarch by George Eliot

Reflection questions:

• Have you considered what the greater impacts of your capital campaign will have in your community by growing your donor base and the generosity to other nonprofits?
• How will you share those impacts within your organization and campaign committees to deepen the excitement for the campaign?

Reflection on quote:

A client planned a simple solar project, then a hailstorm came through. So capital campaigns aren't just planned during strategic planning processes. In rural communities, capital campaigns happen as a result of a natural disaster more often than you would think. Capital campaigns planned in response to a natural disaster often have a greater impact beyond the building. Yes, a restoration and renovation is happening or a new building is built. However, because of the heightened awareness from the natural disaster and the urgency to reach out to donors, the campaign can grow the donor base of the nonprofit in the campaign along with the other nonprofits in the community.

Let me share an example of this. A client wanted to reduce their electricity costs through a solar project and was planning to fund that project through various grants. No big deal, easy to implement. Then a natural disaster happened. An incredibly rare hailstorm came through suddenly, destroyed the roof of this small town museum, and damaged the exhibits. Yes, they had insurance, but it didn't cover the full cost of the repair or the conversion to having roof solar panels.

My client and I created a plan to leverage the grant funding for the solar panels, along with the insurance funds to launch the public phase of a capital campaign during a giving day. This small town of 300 people raised over 40,000 in one day for the launch and then ended the campaign at the next year's giving day by raising over $60,000 in one day.

How were they able to raise that much from such a small town in two days of the public phase of the campaign? Here's the surprise. The largest gifts came from former residents of this small town. Using the natural disaster as a reason to call, the members and trustees of the boards reached out to these former residents who still considered the town home. These were former residents who had either moved away permanently or hoped to move back to the town one day. They wanted to see this town treasure restored, so they gave to this capital campaign. Further, by engaging these former residents in giving to their beloved town, these former residents were reminded of their love for their former community and became interested in other projects that were happening in the community as well.

My client never expected to grow the donor base of other nonprofits. However, it is one way a capital campaign can have greater impact through these smaller capital campaigns. During the more challenging times of a capital campaign, it can be helpful to step back and reflect on the greater impact your capital campaign is and can have for your community.

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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“But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts,” Middlemarch by George Eliot

Reflection questions:

• What are the long-term impacts that your capital campaign will have on your community?
• If you are not in a capital campaign yet, what greater impact could your mission have on the community with a bigger or better suited space?

Reflection on quote:

Did you know that the largest capital campaign completed in 5 years was for $9.6 billion that’s billion with a b through Harvard University? That number is astounding to me. And, yet, in my opinion when a small nonprofit raises $10 million to build a new home for their services, that campaign will have a deeper and more lasting impact on the lives of the client they serve in their small town. Across the United States right now, I know that Boards and Executive Directors are planning capital campaigns and their work is hidden from view of major fundraising journals because those campaigns will never begin to approach the records.

The capital campaigns being planned in small towns and rural area are dependent on unhistoric acts; however, the impact is greater than the record breaking campaigns. How? Our capital campaigns bring a greater percentage of the community together to solve a common problem or to create something new and good. Our campaigns grow the giving muscles among donors who expand their generosity to meet the greater vision for the community. Once built, the new programs offered in the new space serve a greater ratio of the community. The change in the daily lives of our communities is easier to see. Capital campaigns truly strengthen the fabric of the community and that strength has positive impact on donors, community members, and other nonprofits for decades.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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"...But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts..."

Reflection question:

• where are you comparing your work with urban fundraising?

Reflection on quote:

You’ve just googled capital campaign and now you are overwhelmed. How do I know that? Because I’ve talked to clients just like you. I have found that many capital campaigns in small towns and rural areas are launched out of necessity: your building is too small to serve increased need, your lease can’t be renewed, or your building was damaged. In these moments of necessity, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the prospect of a capital campaign and wonder if a campaign is even possible in your area. As you google capital campaigns, you see the news of $100 million raised for one campaign and over 4,000 donors to a different campaign. You sit with a question: Are there enough donors who live in our community that would be able to fund our $5 to 10 million project? In that moment, it’s easy to fall into the scarcity mindset. Yet, I have found that rural generosity is deeper and more expansive than expected.

Your campaign might not be historic from a national perspective; but your campaign can succeed and will grow the good in your community. From working with nonprofits in towns of 300 up to 100,000, I have experienced the beauty of rural generosity firsthand. It’s the donor who quietly gives an unexpectedly large gift, it’s the donations of grain or cattle contracts, it’s interconnectedness of relationships, it’s the resilience of committed volunteers who won’t quit until the project is funded. There are hidden gems in our small towns and rural areas that no urban capital campaign can replicate. In this season of Reflections on Generosity, we’ll explore what makes rural giving so powerful: the relationships, the creative gifts, the volunteers who don’t quit, and the donors who surprise you. Every week in these 5 minute episodes, you’ll hear a quote to inspire you, an insight to encourage you, and a reflection question to ground you for the week to come.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Leading with Integrity series:

155: Leading with Integrity - Inviting Scrutiny

156: Leading with Integrity - Honesty Builds Trust

157: Leading with Integrity - Clarity for the Giver

158: Leading with Integrity - Openness About Setbacks

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Developing Discipline series:

150: Developing Discipline - Inviting Donors

151: Developing Discipline - Prioritizing Tasks

152: Developing Discipline - Planting Seeds to Raise Awareness

153: Developing Discipline - Following Up

154: Developing Discipline - Ongoing Stewardship

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Patience in Planning series:

147: Patience in Planning - Envision the Future

148: Patience in Planning - Persuading Partners

149: Patience in Planning - Hold Loosely to Wishes

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Managing Stress series:

144: Managing Stress - Hold onto Joy

145: Managing Stress - Waiting and Nurturing

146: Managing Stress - Grieve Too

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Authentic Giving series:

139: Authentic Giving - Avoiding a Transactional Approach

140: Authentic Giving - Generosity Can't Be Faked

141: Authentic Giving - An Approach for Belonging

142: Authentic Giving - Removing the Guilt from Generosity

143: Authentic Giving - The Cycle of Joyous Generosity

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Cultivating an Abundance Mindset series:

136: Cultivating an Abundance Mindset - A Gift to Donors

137: Cultivating an Abundance Mindset - With Joy Within Ourselves

138: Cultivating an Abundance Mindset - With Our Messages

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Neuroscience and Giving series:

130: Neuroscience and Giving - Empathy Builds Buildings

132: Neuroscience and Giving - Personal Identity and Giving

133: Neuroscience and Giving - Maintaining Trust

134: Neuroscience and Giving - Volunteering Feels Good

135: Neuroscience and Giving - Generosity During Emergencies

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in Genuine Community Building:

123: Genuine Community Building - Communities of Care

124: Genuine Community Building - More than Asking and Thanking

125: Genuine Community Building - Confidence in Generosity

126: Genuine Community Building - Do Not Lose Courage

127: Genuine Community Building - Expand the Horizons for Donors

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

As we wrap up Season 4 of this podcast, we're re-airing one episode from each of our nine series—a chance to revisit the foundational wisdom on capital campaigns, from navigating uncertainty to leading with integrity. Next season, we're turning our attention to the specific context of rural giving, exploring what makes small-town fundraising different, how deep relationships shape generosity, and how to build capital campaigns that honor the unique dynamics and constraints of rural communities.

Episodes in the Navigating Uncertainty series:

117: Navigating Uncertainty - Growing Generosity

118: Navigating Uncertainty - A Trusted Leader Makes the Case

119: Navigating Uncertainty - Avoid Rage Giving in a Campaign

120: Navigating Uncertainty - Hope in Giving

121: Navigating Uncertainty - Leaders Give Confidence

122: Navigating Uncertainty - When Failure Sparks Generosity

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...whatever you do, let your aim be goodness, goodness as it is rightly understood. Hold to this in every action..."

This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD.

Reflection questions:

• Think about a recent setback in your campaign. What would it look like to tell your donors about it honestly, seek their advice, instead of quietly working around it?
• Where could a moment of openness with a donor actually deepen their trust in the project rather than shake it?

Reflection on quote:

Throughout this latest series, we've talked about how leading a capital campaign is like standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest and how we are called to lead that journey with integrity. Along the way, we've explored curiosity when facing scrutiny, honesty when sharing the campaign's impact, and clarity in how we communicate with our community.

In this final episode, we're looking at how openness fits into that same leadership: what it means to be honest with donors about the challenges we meet along the way. On a hike, you cannot avoid every root, every loose rock, every stretch of overgrown trail. As much as we want every activity in a capital campaign to go well, that's not real life, and when something goes sideways, it's tempting to stay quiet and hope the donors and the community don't notice.
But our setbacks are actually one of the best opportunities to build trust with donors if we're willing to be open about them.

When we see failure during a capital campaign as an opportunity, we can hold on to that phrase, "All that happens, happens right." We don't plan for failure. But no matter how carefully we plan a campaign, some setback is inevitable. When we've led with integrity, that setback can actually move the campaign forward as long as we stay transparent and open with our donors.

That brings us to the second half of the quote: "Let your aim be goodness in every action." We don't fail on purpose. Nobody plans to host a poorly attended event. Nobody hopes for a cost overrun during the construction.

But failure is simply a part of capital campaigns. So we stop aiming for perfection or for looking polished, and we aim for something better: goodness, openness, transparency, doing right by the people who believe in this project and have already given to it.

They want to see it thrive. They want to give advice because it's their community, too. When we are honest with them about the bumps along the way, we are not weakening the relationship. We are strengthening it.

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What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...And he will refrain from giving to anybody and everybody, that he may have something to give to the right people, at the right time, and where it is noble to do so..."

I am reading from Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, written in 350 BC.

Reflection questions:

• Where are you being vague in your conversations with donors or in your campaign materials?
• How will you lean into providing clarity to our donors in your leadership?

Reflection on quote:

This month, we are exploring what it means to lead with integrity during a capital campaign. For this series, we are using the metaphor of standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest. Each step is a step of faith, but the journey is grounded in building trust with our staff, volunteers, donors, and the community. It is both exhilarating and challenging as we make our way to the mountain top to complete the capital campaign. This trust building requires honesty, clarity, openness, and curiosity in our leadership. This week, we are exploring the principle of clarity through ancient wisdom. Note: Aristotle uses the word liberal to denote a donor of money from their wealth.

Aristotle points to a key principle for capital campaigns; that is, the importance of clarity when speaking with a donor about the campaign. He outlines that virtuous major donors will give to the right people, the right amount, and at the right time.

In the capital campaign context, we lead with clarity when we define why we are most equipped to expand our programs and services now and how we can be trusted to sustain our essential services through our new building or renovation after the campaign is over. We lead with integrity when we clearly explain the true costs of the campaign and the gift range the donor may consider themselves in. And, we lead with clarity when we demonstrate why the campaign is needed right now and a gift will have the most effectiveness when given now.

While it may seem more polite in our small towns to be vague in donor conversations, vagueness only leads to donor confusion, sending them back to the trailhead or lost off-trail. Instead, it is more noble to lead with clarity that we are the right people for the right amount at this right time to receive a gift to the capital campaign.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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"...Admitting uncertainties or limitations, for example, saying, 'We can’t help everyone, but here’s how we are trying,' can actually boost credibility..."

I am reading from Neurogiving. The Science of Donor Decision-Making by Cherian Koshy, published in 2025.

Reflection question:

• As you're preparing your case for support or talking with donors, consider where can you be more honest about limitations instead of glossing over them or exaggerating the impact your campaign will have.

Reflection on quote:

Last week, we discussed how leading a capital campaign is like standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest and one key principles is to be curious when facing scrutiny. This week, we will be looking how honesty fits into leading with integrity when sharing the impact the capital campaign will have on the community.

When we're leading a capital campaign in a small town, we know our neighbors and we want to appear competent and confident to them. There's a temptation, when we're asking for significant donations for something as big as a capital campaign, to want to present a version of our organization that looks like it has everything figured out. As if, we’re solving the whole mountainside of problems. But that's not the story that builds trust. Think about the difference between a leader who says "This project will absolutely solve every challenge our mission, our community faces" and one who says "This project won't solve everything, but it's a meaningful step, and here's exactly how we expect it will help." The second leader is building trust and leading with integrity. The second leader is marking the actual trail that leads up the mountainside. When we lead with honesty — including honesty about our limitations — we're not weakening our case with donors. We're strengthening it.

Here's how to purchase Neurogiving from Wiley or Amazon.

Quote used by permission.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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"...that which is a hindrance is made a furtherance to an act; and that which is an obstacle on the road helps us on this road..."

This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD.

Reflection question:

• As we are facing scrutiny, is our posture one of defensiveness or invitation and curiosity?

Reflection on quote:

When we are at the beginning of a capital campaign, it is like standing at the base of a mountain where the trail is obscured from view by the undergrowth of the forest. It is a step of faith to stride ahead from the trailhead, but that is just the first step for a journey in building trust that is both exhilarating and challenging as we make our way to the mountain top. Similarly, in capital campaigns, as leaders, our role is to lead both our organization and the community along the trail that begins obscured. This journey requires honesty, clarity, openness, and curiosity in our leadership. So, this month, we are starting a series on leading with integrity. The first principle is to be curious when faced with scrutiny.

When the trail is obscured from view, it is a natural human reaction to wonder if we are going the right way. In the same way, those within our organization, our current donors, and the community will all wonder if the capital campaign is the right path for the organization. Our vision for the project, the work to accomplish the vision, and the project itself will be scrutinized. We can either become defensive and see the scrutiny as hindrance and obstacle. Or, we can lead with curiosity and invite the scrutiny to help us be successful in the capital campaign. We can be curious to use the scrutiny to improve our planning. And, we can be curious to understand the motivations behind the scrutiny. Often, those who are scrutinizing the project when invited with curiosity to share their concerns and ask their questions will become the greatest advocates and allies to the capital campaign in our small towns.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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"...We must now consider what is the main cause of ingratitude..."

This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD.

Reflection questions:

• Have we noticed signs of excessive esteem, greed or jealousy slipping into our thinking when we are reviewing our campaign goals and what donors have given?
• What are ways you can lean into gratitude this week?

Reflection on quote:

In our final episode on developing discipline during capital campaigns, we are discussing ongoing stewardship and the mindsets that can block gratitude. Throughout this series, we used the metaphor of riding a wild stallion without a saddle. Previously, we discussed developing disciplines with money beliefs, prioritizing tasks, planting seeds of awareness, and the fear of rejection.

During capital campaigns, we can fall into one of these mindsets that block ongoing gratitude and stewardship because we are confident in the necessity of our work and this campaign project. As a result, we might believe that donors are duty-bound to give to our campaign. We might continually expect donors to give more and more to the campaign. Or, we might be jealous of other campaigns where a donor gave more.

It is easy for us to slip into these root causes of ingratitude, especially when we are faced with the pressures of a campaign. When we do, to paraphrase Seneca, we become unworthy of what we have received. And, in small towns, our ingratitude is often discussed among donors. The reality is that donors do not have to fund our campaigns or fund them at a greater extent than other campaigns. Instead, we develop a discipline of gratitude for every donation.

Next week, we will start a series on leading with integrity during a capital campaign.

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To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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"...Hope is not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out..."

I’m reflecting on this quote by Vaclav Havel from a series of interviews, published in the book Disturbing the Peace, translated to English in 1990.

Reflection question:

• How are you cultivating hope in something good, even if your follow-up call results in a no?

Reflection on quote:

If capital campaigns are like a riding a wild stallion without a saddle, then facing rejection is like being bucked off and being afraid to ride again. This week, we will discuss how to develop the discipline of facing rejection. Previously, we discussed developing disciplines with money beliefs, prioritizing tasks, and planting seeds of awareness. In this episode, we’ll discuss how to develop the discipline of hope when facing rejection.

I am convinced that the moment we close the car door or we hit end on a call with a donor, the doubts begin to creep in. And, slowly or quickly, we wonder if we will be rejected when we make the follow-up call or visit we promised to the donor. That’s where the hope Vaclav Havel describes comes in. It’s the hope in something good, regardless of how the follow up turns out. Hope can be following up, only to find out that the donor can no longer give what they intended and yet bringing grace and humanity into the relationship. And, hope can be following up for 6 months at a donor’s request, wondering if the follow-ups are badgering the donor, then to receive with joy a major gift that is twice the amount the donor was originally considered. And, hope can be following up and sometimes feeling the sting of rejection and yet knowing that an answer, even if it is no, is better than the anxiety of not knowing for us and the anxiety of sharing hard news for the donor. This type of hope keeps us above water and moving forward during a capital campaign.

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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"...this old man was one of the most useful citizens of the world in his humble way. He has made a greater contribution to our civilization than we realize. He has left a place that never can be filled. Farewell, dear old eccentric heart, your labor has been a labor of love, and generations, yet unborn, will rise up and call you blessed..."

Let’s listen to the tribute from Sam Houston around 1847 upon Johnny Appleseed’s death.

Reflection questions:

• What approach are you taking: scattering seeds or planting seeds with intentional outcomes in mind?

If you are in the pre-campaign readiness stage, have you considered the more effective ways to raise awareness in your community and brought in community leaders and potential donors to help you determine and implement those ways?

Reflection on quote:

Capital campaigns are like a riding a wild stallion without a saddle and one key to success is developing discipline. This series unpacks those disciplines. We’ve discussed how understanding our beliefs around money can assist us in creating the necessary disciplines around asking for donations. We’ve discussed how indecision and procrastination can steal opportunities and the importance of prioritizing tasks. In this episode, we’ll discuss the discipline necessary to successfully raising awareness for our capital campaigns through the life and work of John Chapman; otherwise known as Johnny Appleseed. Like many, I pictured Johnny Appleseed as wandering aimlessly around the countryside, randomly sprinkling seeds that grew into trees and, against all odds, orchards. But that wasn’t the case at all.

Johnny Appleseed had a purpose for apple trees. He believed that apple trees were important to cultivate as cider to be an alternative to unsafe drinking water. He then planned the process for planting seeds to grow into trees near villages and towns in Ohio. His labor of love had an intentional process with both immediate and generational impacts. In the same way, during a capital campaign, we too must be intentional in how we are raising awareness. We do not simply scatter seeds and hope our communities are paying enough attention. Instead, we consider the audiences, the people, who need to hear about our vision first. Then, we determine how we engage those community leaders, connectors, and potential donors in the planning process for the campaign. Further, we are intentional in what information we share with the community, information that creates confidence and excitement in the goal, and when we share that information. When we are disciplined in raising awareness, those seeds will have a greater contribution to the success of the capital campaign and a greater contribution to the small towns and rural communities we serve.

What do you think? Send me a text.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit https://servingnonprofits.com/.

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