A core principle shapes the success of every capital campaign, and this conversation clarifies exactly how it works and why it matters.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt talk with each other about the strategic order of solicitation and how top gifts drive momentum, confidence, and overall campaign performance.
Andrea explains why campaigns depend on gifts of varied sizes and how a thoughtful gift range chart helps leaders understand what it will take to reach a major goal. Amy expands on the Pareto principle and the 90/10 pattern that appears so frequently in campaign fundraising, reinforcing why the top group of donors must be approached early.
Together, they illustrate the concepts of top-down and inside-out solicitation (beginning with the largest donors and the most committed insiders) so the quiet phase can build meaningful early progress. They share examples of how organizations can get stuck when they start by asking everyone at once, including a story about an animal shelter that initially relied on broad direct mail outreach before learning how to focus on individual conversations with high-capacity supporters.
Listeners also hear how early board commitments strengthen the case for support, how confidence shapes donor response, and how a clear strategy influences staffing, timing, and long-term relationship building. Andrea and Amy outline the anxiety many teams feel when approaching top donors, and how a well-run feasibility study helps leaders prepare for these pivotal conversations.
By the end of the episode, you will understand the structure behind a successful quiet phase and how this approach sets the stage for a strong public launch and stronger fundraising overall.
To see if your organization is truly ready for a capital campaign, download this free Readiness Assessment. This guide will help you evaluate six aspects of your organization, including the board and your case for support.
If your capital campaign includes a construction or renovation project, there’s far more to think about than fundraising goals and donor lists. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, host Andrea Kihlstedt sits down with Sanjeevanee Vidwans, an independent capital project management consultant, to unpack what it really takes to plan and manage a successful building project from the owner’s side.
Sanjeevanee, a civil engineer turned project management expert, explains the pivotal role of an owner’s representative — the person who helps nonprofit leaders, boards, and executive directors make informed decisions throughout complex construction projects. She shares how bringing in an owner’s rep early can help you assess potential sites, align budgets with design realities, and avoid expensive surprises down the line.
Listeners will learn how project feasibility studies differ from fundraising feasibility studies, what to expect when hiring architects and contractors, and how to keep scope, budget, and schedule aligned from concept to completion. The conversation bridges the gap between campaign planning and construction management, giving nonprofit leaders practical insights for steering multimillion-dollar projects with confidence.
Through real-world examples — including major academic and nonprofit facilities — Sanjeevanee reveals what makes collaboration between owners, architects, and construction managers truly work. She also discusses how even smaller organizations can benefit from owner’s rep guidance, ensuring every dollar raised is spent wisely.
Whether your organization is dreaming of a new arts center, school expansion, or community facility, this episode will help you understand how to manage your project’s moving parts, anticipate potential pitfalls, and build a team that shares your vision. Tune in to learn how preparation, communication, and the right expertise can turn your campaign’s construction goals into a reality.
To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!
What happens when you say “yes” to something that feels just a bit bigger than what you’ve done before? In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-founder Amy Eisenstein takes the guest seat as Andrea Kihlstedt interviews her about stepping outside her comfort zone — preparing for and delivering a 35-minute keynote speech without notes in front of hundreds of peers. Amy shares how she built confidence through practice, coaching, and mastery — and how those same principles apply to fundraisers leading capital campaigns.
Listeners will discover how Amy’s experience parallels the journey nonprofit leaders take when launching their first campaign. From hiring a coach to working through self-doubt, Amy and Andrea connect lessons from public speaking to the art of donor solicitation. When fundraisers deeply understand their case and prepare thoroughly, they can let go of the script and build genuine, authentic relationships with donors.
Amy also reveals how one client turned an initial “no” into a $2 million lead gift through consistent communication and trust—proof that persistence, relationship-building, and thoughtful follow-up are essential habits for campaign success. The episode closes with a candid moment when Amy forgot her place mid-speech and turned vulnerability into connection—an example of how authenticity strengthens both speaking and fundraising.
Key takeaways include:
This conversation will inspire nonprofit professionals to stretch beyond their comfort zones, refine their skills, and embrace the mindset that confidence is built, not born. Whether you’re preparing for your next major gift conversation or simply trying to deepen your donor relationships, Amy and Andrea’s insights will help you approach your work with mastery and ease.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-founder Andrea Kihlstedt is joined by fundraising expert and Capital Campaign Pro senior advisor Kent Stroman for a thoughtful conversation about how authentic, two-way communication can make major gift fundraising more natural and rewarding. Together, they explore how asking the right questions and truly listening can turn donor meetings from stressful transactions into meaningful partnerships.
Kent shares insights from his book Asking About Asking and his work through The Asking Academy, where he teaches the principles of conversational fundraising. He and Andrea discuss how to shift from a mindset of "getting the gift" to one of helping donors make informed and heartfelt decisions that align with their values.
Key takeaways include:
Kent and Andrea also explore how empathy, curiosity, and genuine interest can replace anxiety with confidence. By focusing on purpose and shared goals, fundraisers can create experiences where donors feel valued and excited to give.
This episode offers practical tools and examples for anyone involved in major gift fundraising, from nonprofit leaders to board members and campaign volunteers.
Learn more about Kent Stroman’s work at AskingAcademy.com.
Explore additional free trainings and resources, including Andrea’s Arc of the Ask, at CapitalCampaignPro.com.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explore how nonprofits can use video to connect with donors, share impact, and bring their campaign stories to life. They discuss why video has become such an essential communication tool, replacing traditional brochures and static materials, and how organizations can use it effectively throughout every phase of a campaign.
Amy and Andrea share practical examples and relatable stories — from quick, authentic clips captured on a phone to professionally produced campaign kickoff videos. They explain how both approaches can serve different purposes: short, informal clips to thank donors, show project progress, or highlight client success stories; and more polished productions to inspire confidence and showcase your organization’s vision.
Listeners will learn how to:
The conversation also highlights the accessibility of video creation, noting that most staff can produce compelling clips using simple tools like a smartphone and a selfie stick. For teams that need extra help, Amy and Andrea offer suggestions for outsourcing editing and production affordably, or engaging volunteers to support ongoing video work.
Through humor and real-world insights (including Andrea’s story about her cat jumping on her shoulder and Amy’s professional keynote video project), this episode demonstrates that video doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. What matters most is authenticity, brevity, and intentional storytelling that keeps your donors engaged and informed.
Whether your organization is just starting to experiment with video or ready to refine your approach, this conversation offers clear, actionable ideas for making
video an integral part of your campaign communications.
Tune in to learn how your nonprofit can use video to show progress, express gratitude, and inspire giving one clip at a time.
For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt, the co-founders of Capital Campaign Pro, invite listeners behind the scenes of a recent Campaign Conversations session: a live Q&A forum where nonprofit leaders ask their most pressing campaign questions.
Four guests join to discuss real-life challenges many organizations face during their campaigns:
Throughout the episode, Amy and Andrea provide candid, experience-based guidance drawn from decades of supporting campaigns of every size. Their discussion emphasizes planning with intention, engaging key donors personally, and setting organizations up for long-term fundraising success.
Whether you’re preparing for your first campaign, refining your donor engagement strategies, or juggling multiple fundraising priorities, this episode offers insights that will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Key Topics Covered:
To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, co-founder Andrea Kihlstedt is joined by senior advisor Jeff Hensley to discuss what to do when leadership shifts in the middle of a capital campaign. From sudden retirements and staff departures to unexpected crises, they share practical ways to keep your campaign moving forward while maintaining confidence among staff, donors, and your board.
Jeff explains why leadership changes are more common than many organizations anticipate—especially in campaigns that stretch across several years—and how to handle them with calm and clarity. He offers insight into the different types of transitions that can occur, from planned retirements to terminations, and how each one affects campaign momentum.
Andrea and Jeff emphasize the importance of transparent communication, both internally and externally. They explore how organizations can reduce anxiety among staff, prevent rumors from spreading, and reinforce confidence by providing clear, consistent updates. For donors, they outline best practices for personalized outreach that shows respect, preserves trust, and reassures them that the mission and impact they care about remain strong.
Listeners will learn:
Jeff also shares encouraging stories of organizations that have come through leadership transitions stronger than before. His calm, grounded perspective provides reassurance for anyone feeling uncertain about managing staff or leadership turnover during a campaign.
Whether your organization is facing a sudden departure, hiring a new leader, or simply preparing for the unexpected, this episode offers practical, experience-based advice for staying steady, maintaining donor confidence, and turning disruption into opportunity.
To connect with a Capital Campaign Pro expert for guidance through your own leadership or campaign challenges, visit capitalcampaignpro.com.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein sits down with Alonda Williams, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, to talk about how artificial intelligence is transforming nonprofit leadership, operations, and impact. With a background in technology at companies like Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Verizon, Alonda brings a unique perspective to the nonprofit sector and shares how she integrates AI into her leadership and organizational culture.
Alonda discusses how AI helps her team increase productivity, streamline workflows, and expand their reach without additional resources. From meeting summarization and automated board reports to matching mentors and mentees faster, she explains how these tools save time while maintaining the human-centered approach that nonprofit work requires.
You’ll hear how she empowers her staff to adopt AI by modeling its use, creating safe spaces for experimentation, and even including AI literacy as a desired skill in job descriptions. She explains why adopting AI is not just about improving organizational efficiency but also about preparing staff and youth to be future-ready in a digital-first economy.
Amy and Alonda also explore practical applications that any nonprofit leader can try today, including AI-assisted hiring practices, productivity tools like Microsoft Copilot, and meeting assistants like Assembly. Alonda shares candid insights on what has worked, what hasn’t, and how to build trust among staff who may be hesitant to embrace technology.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
Whether you’re curious about how AI can support your next board report, wondering how to introduce AI to your team, or looking for inspiration on how to apply it to your mission, this conversation offers practical, real-world insights from a leader who is already putting these tools to work.
Learn how AI can help your nonprofit save time, amplify its impact, and prepare both staff and the communities you serve for the future.
Are your Systems and technology ready for a Capital Campaign? Be sure to download our free self-assessment tool to evaluate eight key aspects of your organization’s systems.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt outline three essential steps that nonprofit leaders should take to prepare their boards for a capital campaign. Many board members come to the table with limited or inaccurate ideas about what a campaign involves. Amy and Andrea explain how to bridge that knowledge gap, address common anxieties, and set clear expectations so that your board feels confident and prepared to support your campaign.
The conversation begins with the importance of a Campaign 101 session. Board members need a clear understanding of what a capital campaign is, how it works, and what makes it different from annual fundraising. Amy and Andrea share simple ways to introduce these fundamentals, from inviting a consultant to lead a workshop to using Capital Campaign Pro’s Board Members Guide to Capital Campaigns as a discussion tool.
Next, the hosts highlight the importance of clarifying board roles and giving expectations. They talk about how to create space for meaningful conversations about what each board member will contribute, both in terms of financial support and active involvement. These conversations help reduce uncertainty and ease fears about asking for gifts. Amy and Andrea emphasize that preparing your board is an ongoing process that should unfold over multiple meetings rather than a single session.
Finally, the episode covers the often-overlooked need for investment in campaign resources. Too often, organizations underestimate the financial and staffing requirements of a campaign, assuming existing staff can manage everything. Amy and Andrea explain why dedicating a budget for campaign support, whether through additional staff or experienced consultants, is critical to success. They illustrate how early investments in expertise and planning prevent costly mistakes and set campaigns on a strong trajectory.
Throughout the discussion, listeners will hear real examples from Amy and Andrea’s work with nonprofit leaders and boards, including common pitfalls that organizations face when they try to “go it alone.” The episode underscores that preparing your board is not a one-time task but a thoughtful process that builds confidence, clarity, and commitment.
Whether you’re a nonprofit executive, development professional, or board leader, this episode will provide practical insights you can use right away to prepare your board for the challenges and opportunities of a capital campaign.
For more board engagement tips, be sure to download our free Board Member’s Guide to Capital Campaign Fundraising. It answers the questions board members most frequently ask, or wish they could ask.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein welcomes nonprofit leader, coach, and advocate Joan Garry for an inspiring conversation about how development directors and nonprofit executives can maintain optimism, motivate their teams, and rethink what fundraising success looks like in challenging times.
Joan Garry is an internationally recognized champion for the nonprofit sector, an executive coach for top nonprofit leaders, founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, and host of her own podcast and blog. With decades of experience across nearly every role in nonprofit leadership, she brings both practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement to the discussion.
Together, Amy and Joan explore how nonprofit professionals can reframe fundraising from a stressful numbers game into an opportunity for donors to feel connected, valued, and part of meaningful impact.
They discuss:
Listeners will hear stories ranging from a climate change think tank tapping into untapped expertise in Washington, to LGBTQ advocacy groups addressing urgent needs through imaginative funding models, to a legal nonprofit rethinking the concept of a capital campaign by focusing on “human capital.” These examples highlight what is possible when leaders are willing to experiment and redefine what success looks like.
Joan also shares advice on how nonprofit executives can manage fear, support their fundraising staff, and avoid the trap of holding onto poor performance because of the myth that strong development professionals are scarce. She emphasizes the importance of professional development and investment in fundraisers, noting that providing learning opportunities is a powerful way to strengthen skills and morale.
Amy and Joan both highlight the value of peer communities—whether through Capital Campaign Pro’s weekly mastermind groups or the Nonprofit Leadership Lab’s global membership network—where nonprofit leaders can share challenges, celebrate wins, and draw inspiration from one another.
Whether you are an executive director, development officer, or board member, this conversation will help you see fundraising in a new light. By focusing on relationships, creativity, and inspiration, nonprofit leaders can foster resilience and optimism in their organizations even when external challenges feel overwhelming.
For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt tackle one of the most important and often misunderstood aspects of a successful capital campaign: creating and funding a campaign budget.
A capital campaign requires more than enthusiasm and a compelling case. It demands resources, staff support, and a financial plan that spans several years. Amy and Andrea explain why it is unrealistic for nonprofit leaders to think a campaign can succeed without investing in additional help, expertise, and infrastructure. They walk through the essential elements of a strong campaign budget and show how the campaign itself can raise the funds needed to cover these expenses.
Listeners will learn:
The conversation also covers practical tips for making budgeting conversations easier with boards and leadership teams. Andrea and Amy describe both the “top down” approach (starting with a percentage of the campaign goal) and the “bottom up” approach (listing specific anticipated expenses) to arrive at a realistic and effective campaign budget.
By the end of the discussion, nonprofit leaders will have a clear understanding of how to plan for campaign expenses, make the case for additional staff or consulting help, and use the campaign itself to fund these investments. Amy and Andrea also share success stories from organizations that shifted their thinking, gained board support, and found relief in knowing that their campaigns were properly resourced.
Whether your organization is preparing for a $3 million initiative or a $40 million project, this episode will give you a framework for understanding capital campaign budgets and the confidence to explain them to your team and board.
For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt talks with Capital Campaign Pro senior advisor Dedee Wilner-Nugent about what to do when a capital campaign feels stalled. Dedee shares a practical framework she uses with clients across the country: the Four Rs. These simple moves help leadership teams steady nerves, reengage volunteers, and rebuild momentum during the quiet phase and beyond.
You’ll learn how to:
Highlights from the conversation:
Whether you are a CEO, development director, or campaign chair, this episode gives you a clear playbook to steady the team and move forward with confidence when progress feels slow.
To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist.This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt talks with Rob Riley, President of the Northern Forest Center, about how his organization raised $35 million through a unique blend of philanthropy and impact investing.
Spanning 30 million acres across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, the Northern Forest Center set out to revitalize rural communities while protecting the largest continuous forest east of the Mississippi. Rob shares how the organization structured its first capital campaign to combine traditional fundraising with investment opportunities tied to real estate redevelopment, housing, and community revitalization projects.
Listeners will learn how the Northern Forest Center:
Rob also highlights the role of volunteer leadership, the lessons learned from structuring matches and incentives, and the importance of celebrating success to keep momentum alive. From board development to donor cultivation, this conversation offers insights into what it takes to raise transformational capital for large-scale, place-based initiatives.
Whether you are leading a nonprofit campaign, exploring impact investing, or looking for creative approaches to engage donors across regions, this episode offers practical takeaways and inspiring strategies.
To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein welcomes Capital Campaign Pro’s Director of Engagement, Steven Shattuck, to explore how nonprofit organizations can approach artificial intelligence with confidence, strategy, and purpose. Whether you’re skeptical of AI or eager to experiment, this conversation unpacks what it means to use AI responsibly while staying focused on relationships and results.
Steven, author of Robots Make Bad Fundraisers, shares his perspective on how AI fits into modern nonprofit work: not as a replacement for the human element, but as a set of tools that can improve efficiency and free up time for the work that truly matters.
Topics Covered in This Episode:
Throughout the conversation, Amy and Steven emphasize that AI should never replace the strategic thinking and relationship-building at the heart of fundraising. Instead, it should support the work of nonprofit leaders, making it faster to draft documents, generate ideas, and prepare for donor interactions. From customizing gift agreements to training new staff or board members, AI is already making a difference for organizations of all sizes.
Notable Highlights:
Steven also reflects on the current moment in nonprofit tech: AI isn’t a passing trend. It’s a shift in how we work.
Key Takeaways for Nonprofit Leaders:
Whether you’re running a $60 million campaign or just beginning to think about how to modernize your systems, this episode offers approachable, practical ideas to help you get started (or go deeper) with AI in your organization.
Resources Mentioned:
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explain why a gift range chart is one of the most essential planning tools for any successful capital campaign. They break down what a gift range chart is, how to create one, and why it can guide your campaign from start to finish.
You’ll hear why setting the right top gift amount is critical, how your donor base size influences the chart’s shape, and what percentage of your total goal should come from your largest gifts. Andrea and Amy share practical examples showing how different organizations—such as a large, well-known nonprofit versus a smaller, more specialized group—might structure their charts for the best results.
The conversation covers:
Listeners will also learn why large gifts almost always come from people already connected to the organization—and why it’s rare to receive a transformational gift from someone with no prior giving history. Amy and Andrea discuss how to set aspirational yet achievable targets, and how to adjust your campaign plan if early research shows that your original goal may be out of reach.
By the end of the episode, you’ll understand how a thoughtfully constructed gift range chart can help you anticipate challenges, guide donor cultivation, and keep your campaign on track from start to finish.
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt sits down with Graeme Watt, co-owner of Anthem Creative, to explore how nonprofit leaders can sharpen their storytelling to strengthen donor engagement and drive campaign results.
Graeme shares his journey from founding a grassroots youth nonprofit in his living room to leading large-scale digital storytelling efforts with organizations like World Vision. His experience on both sides of the nonprofit spectrum (nimble startup and global giant) gives him a rare lens into what makes storytelling resonate across channels and audiences.
The episode introduces the concept of “anthem stories”: compelling narratives that distill the essence of a nonprofit’s mission, vision, and values through the lived experience of a single person or community. Graeme breaks down how these stories can move beyond abstract mission statements to become powerful tools for donor acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship.
Key Highlights Include:
Why the best campaigns don’t just raise money for buildings or equipment—they tell deeper stories about impact and transformation
What AI may mean for nonprofit storytelling, and why human emotion, authenticity, and connection remain irreplaceable
Graeme also discusses how capital campaigns present a unique opportunity to wrap bold, inspiring stories around organizational moments. Whether you're raising funds for a new facility, celebrating an anniversary, or preparing for a major initiative, understanding and communicating the "bigger story" behind your campaign can make all the difference.
He and Andrea examine practical examples, including how a $600,000 septic system became part of a $2.8 million storytelling-driven campaign, and reflect on the common hesitation nonprofits feel about telling their own stories. They explore why even experienced fundraising professionals can find it challenging to gather and share stories, and how to shift that mindset by embedding storytelling into organizational culture.
To wrap up, Graeme offers two key takeaways:
Whether you're deep into a campaign or just starting to explore how storytelling fits into your fundraising strategy, this episode offers thoughtful insight, practical steps, and inspiring encouragement to help you turn your stories into tools for impact.
For more about Graeme’s work, visit AnthemCreative.ca.
To access free resources on capital campaigns, including guides and tools mentioned in the episode, visit capitalcampaignpro.com/resources.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt unpack a deceptively simple question: what counts toward your campaign goal?
Getting this wrong can damage your credibility, confuse your board and donors, and throw off your reports. The good news? A clear set of campaign policies established early on can prevent most of the trouble. But clarity is not always easy.
Amy and Andrea walk through some of the most common questions organizations face when deciding what to count:
Using real-world stories and candid advice, they explore the consequences of unclear counting rules and the benefits of getting your team on the same page before the campaign is underway. You'll hear how one organization solved a million-dollar deficit thanks to a bequest made 70 years earlier, and how another spent more time than they’d like to admit trying to offload a donor’s beloved collection of heavy metal figurines.
The episode also covers how to handle situations where accounting and fundraising standards don’t align. You might need two sets of reports: one for your auditors and one for your campaign committee. That tension is normal, but it needs to be addressed openly with your team—especially your finance colleagues.
If you're planning a campaign or even thinking about one, this conversation will help you ask smarter questions now so you can avoid bigger problems later. And if you're not sure where to start, the Capital Campaign Pro Toolkit includes sample policies and discussion guides to help you think through these decisions.
To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, host Amy Eisenstein is joined by nationally recognized nonprofit consultant Christal Cherry, known to many as “The Board Pro,” to talk about one of the biggest challenges for nonprofit leaders: how to find and keep the right board members.
With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Christal has helped hundreds of organizations rethink board service by focusing on purpose, inclusion, and long-term commitment. In this candid conversation, Christal shares practical, experience-based strategies for board recruitment, onboarding, and engagement that go far beyond the usual advice about fundraising potential or "big pockets."
This episode has answers if you’ve ever wondered:
Amy and Christal explore how to build a board matrix based on your actual needs and values rather than a generic template. They talk about how to assess skill gaps, governance expertise, and lived experience. You’ll hear why recruiting "another Kevin" is often a mistake and why the best question to ask is, "Who is missing?"
Christal also shares smart strategies for organizations with limited staff or budget, including:
You’ll also learn how to keep board members engaged between meetings. Christal shares examples of “board bites,” or mini-trainings on governance or fundraising, and ideas to connect board members to programs and events in a hands-on way.
Finally, the conversation turns to culture. It’s not enough to invite diverse candidates if your boardroom dynamics, expectations, or meeting times haven’t changed. Christal explains what it means to prepare your organization for inclusion, including how to rethink time commitments, accessibility, and the unspoken norms that might be keeping new voices out.
Whether you’re preparing for a capital campaign, growing your board, or trying to strengthen governance, this episode is full of advice you can put to work right away.
Topics covered:
Learn more about Christal Cherry at www.theboardpro.com, including tools and resources for recruitment and engagement
For more board engagement tips, be sure to download our free Board Member’s Guide to Capital Campaign Fundraising. It answers the questions board members most frequently ask, or wish they could ask.
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt break down a true story about a $2.5 million gift — and how it started with a donor who originally gave just $1,000 a year.
Andrea shares a firsthand account from one of her coaching clients who transformed a modest corporate gift into a major, multi-year commitment. What made it happen? A mix of persistence, timing, courage, and a smart, hands-on approach to donor engagement.
You’ll hear:
This episode is packed with practical takeaways for campaign leaders who are wondering how to move donors from modest support to leadership-level giving. Andrea and Amy reflect on the real work that happens behind the scenes, including building relationships over time, watching for leadership changes, and creating moments that spark genuine enthusiasm.
They also emphasize that even if your organization doesn't have a science center or museum to show off, you can still craft meaningful ways for donors to feel connected and invested in your mission. Whether it’s a tour, a hands-on experience, or a story told with heart, engagement can be your strongest strategy.
If you’re heading into a campaign and wondering how to inspire your donors to step up in a big way, this episode shows how it happens—not through luck, but through strategy and care.
To explore how Capital Campaign Pro can support your next campaign, visit capitalcampaignpro.com. And if this episode got you thinking, share it with your team or fellow fundraisers. You never know who might need to hear it!
In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, Andrea Kihlstedt sits down with Cindy Mewhinney, Director of Advancement at the Shaw Festival, and Richard Quinn, Senior Advisor with Capital Campaign Pro, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Shaw Festival’s bold and inspiring $150 million capital campaign: All.Together.Now.
Cindy and Richard unpack how a campaign that began with a simple plan to rebuild the Royal George Theatre transformed into a movement built around creativity, community, and long-term impact. From the acquisition of a new property for artist housing to the launch of the Burton Center for Lifelong Creativity, the campaign expanded in vision, scope, and ambition—all while keeping donors, volunteers, and board members engaged and energized.
Listen as they share:
You’ll also hear the value of combining capital and planned giving conversations, and how early feasibility testing helped reshape the entire direction of the campaign.
Whether you're just getting started or already deep into planning, this episode offers practical takeaways and strategic insight from a campaign that redefined what’s possible.
For free resources and support for your own capital campaign, visit capitalcampaignpro.com.