Capital Campaigns

A capital campaign, or SuperFund campaign, is a fundraising effort by a chamber that is employed to raise a substantial amount of money within a certain period of time. Often the money raised is used to fund a specific project, such as the construction or purchase of a new building, development of a new program, the purchase of expensive equipment, or other facility renovations. Capital campaigns have a beginning and an end date, but typically span several years. They utilize all of the usual means of raising funds such as direct contact, mailings and electronic solicitation. Successful capital campaigns require extraordinary preparation and skillful execution.

Capital Campaign Resources for Nonprofits

A first-timers’s guide to a capital campaign - From the NonProfit Times (9/29/2015)
How to Run a Successful Capital Campaign - From Nonprofit Accounting Basics, from the Greater Washington Society of CPAs (GWSCPA) (7/16/2012)
Pros and Cons: Capital Campaigns - From Society for Nonprofits

Research & QuickPolls

QuickPoll on Capital Campaigns (February 2017)

Read the analysis on the QuickPoll results in this paper by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, an ACCE Business Partner.

QuickPoll on Chamber Building Locations (May 2016)

Samples of Capital Campaigns

See all Capital Campaigns examples in ACCE's Samples Library

Articles

Capital Campaigns, by Chris Mead, Chamber Executive magazine (Fall 2016)
4 Steps to Keep Your Board Engaged in a Capital Campaign - Convergent Blog (3/30/2015)
7 Fundamental Principles of Major Capital Campaigns - by Mark Bergethon, Fundraising Success Magazine (10/10/2014)
The Evolution of Chamber Capital Campaigns - Chamber Executive magazine (Fall 2009)
Capital Campaigns: Building the Community - Chamber Executive magazine (July-August 2005)

Books

Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign?: Assessing Your Nonprofit's Ability to Run a Major Fundraising Campaign, by Linda Lysakowski (2013)

Convention & Seminar Resources

A Record-Breaking Investor Campaign Audio (mp3) and Presentation (PDF) - from the 2018 ACCE Annual Convention

Videos, Webinars & ACCE U Resources

Five Myths About Chamber Revenue - and One Legend - by Chris Mead, ACCE University Webinar on 4/5/2018 (free). Download the presentation slides here.
Chamber Revenue Programs Survey - by Chris Mead, ACCE University Webinar on 6/9/16 (free). Non-dues revenue programs allow chambers to diversify their revenue streams, and can range from one-time events to long term initiatives that can significantly boost total income. Presentation handout available here.