The Capital Campaign Guide Every Nonprofit Board Member Needs

Leading a nonprofit through a capital campaign can feel overwhelming-especially when you're expected to raise more money than ever before without a clear roadmap for success.

Nonprofit CEOs, development directors, and board members often try to piece things together on their own with generic fundraising guides or by turning to peers (or ChatGPT) for advice. Yet uncertainty remains around setting the wrong goal, losing momentum, or falling short in very public ways.

A Board Member's Guide to Capital Campaign Fundraising removes the fear by explaining step by step how successful capital campaigns actually work. This book offers a clear, practical framework for nonprofit capital campaign planning, board fundraising, and major gift fundraising-without relying on jargon, hype, or outdated myths.

Amy Eisenstein and Sarah Plimpton, nationally recognized experts in nonprofit fundraising and capital campaigns, bring their insights and expertise to help organizations raise game-changing money with confidence, structure, and shared understanding.
Inside, you'll learn how to:
Set realistic capital campaign goals and fundraising plans based on donor capacity, not guesswork
Define clear roles for nonprofit board members so fundraising feels less scary and even enjoyable
Identify and cultivate the right major donors for your campaign without falling into the trap of costly events or broad appeals
Ask for large gifts with confidence-without pressuring friends, family, or fellow board members
Avoid common capital campaign mistakes that stall progress and drain energy

This is the only comprehensive fundraising guide written specifically for nonprofit board members planning a capital campaign. By the end, you'll understand the campaign process as well as how to align your board and move forward with confidence.

If your organization is considering a capital campaign, this book belongs in every board member's hands.