Capital Campaigns 101: A Comprehensive Guide

What is a capital campaign?

Capital campaigns aren’t just about raising money—they’re about transforming your organization’s future.

Unlike day-to-day fundraising efforts, nonprofit capital campaigns are bold, high-impact initiatives designed to fund transformative projects—whether it’s building a new facility, launching an endowment, or driving a visionary program forward. The right capital campaign doesn’t just raise money; it unites people around a powerful mission and creates lasting relationships that drive your organization’s growth for years to come.

How to start a capital campaign

Strategic planning drives 74% of capital campaigns, according to Capital Campaign Pro. When executed properly, these campaigns are major catalysts for nonprofit growth. By outlining clear objectives, laser-focused preparation, and anticipating common challenges along the way, organizations can make the most of this high-impact fundraising strategy.

In this complete guide to creating, maintaining and making the most out of nonprofit capital campaigns, you’ll learn:  

• The foundations of a successful nonprofit capital campaign: strategically planning for success and building the right team
• Launching and sustaining momentum: how to launch with impact and maintain campaign energy
• Navigating challenges: overcoming stalled campaigns and jumpstarting that momentum to overcome changing conditions
• Sustaining success beyond the campaign: leveraging capital campaign success for long-term growth

Access these tips and more in our Capital Campaign Guide.