Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Endowment • Board Governance • Form 990

Capital Campaign

Term from Nonprofit Organizations industry explained for recruiters

A Capital Campaign is a focused fundraising effort that nonprofit organizations use to raise a large amount of money for a specific purpose, usually within a set time period. These campaigns typically fund major projects like building new facilities, renovating existing buildings, or creating endowments. Unlike regular fundraising which covers day-to-day operations, capital campaigns are special projects that aim to raise significant amounts of money for long-term investments. Some similar terms include "building campaign," "comprehensive campaign," or "major gifts campaign." These all refer to intensive fundraising efforts for substantial organizational growth or improvement projects.

Examples in Resumes

Led Capital Campaign that raised $5 million for new community center construction

Managed donor relations during $2M Building Campaign for facility expansion

Coordinated volunteer committees for successful Comprehensive Campaign reaching 120% of goal

Typical job title: "Capital Campaign Directors"

Also try searching for:

Development Director Campaign Manager Fundraising Director Major Gifts Officer Campaign Coordinator Development Officer Campaign Director

Where to Find Capital Campaign Directors

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you develop a capital campaign strategy from start to finish?

Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain the phases of a campaign including feasibility study, quiet phase, public phase, and follow-up. They should discuss setting realistic goals, identifying major donors, creating timelines, and managing campaign committees.

Q: How do you handle a capital campaign that's falling short of its goals?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate crisis management skills, discussing strategies like extending timelines, revising goals, re-engaging major donors, and adjusting messaging while maintaining donor confidence.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What strategies do you use to identify and cultivate major donors?

Expected Answer: Should explain donor research methods, relationship building techniques, and how to move regular donors to major gift levels. Should mention donor database management and tracking systems.

Q: How do you train and manage campaign volunteers?

Expected Answer: Should discuss volunteer recruitment, training programs, motivation techniques, and how to effectively use volunteers for peer-to-peer fundraising and donor outreach.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between annual fund and capital campaign fundraising?

Expected Answer: Should explain that annual funds are for ongoing operations while capital campaigns are for specific, large-scale projects with defined goals and timeframes.

Q: How do you track and acknowledge donations?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic donor management systems, gift processing procedures, and the importance of timely acknowledgment and proper record keeping.