"Mr. Sumida presented as always, a professional appearance and was clear and concise in his presentations... The (response from) the parent body was overwhelmingly positive and our school has since purchased a beautiful heritage building."
Board Chair - JK - 10 School |
Money is one of the most difficult subjects to talk openly about, and if a capital campaign is only about money then it will fail. Our experience has revealed that only about 10% of the energy, time and effort committed to capital campaigns concerns money. Your school is a community and is all about managing and enhancing relationships. How people perceive themselves in their relationship to the school will determine their response to an invitation to participate in a
campaign. Drawing people together in community around the “Vision” for the school, and providing opportunity for people to see their own hopes and dreams fulfilled in the Vision for the future of the school is a key determinant of financial support for a capital campaign.
ISPG's Services
ISPG has raised millions of dollars for school projects and can lead your school through a process of discovery that will enable you to determine how much funding may be available for your school's future initiatives such as:
- Funding property purchases
- Construction of new facilities
- Expansions or amalgamations
- Insuring the long term capital repair and replacement of buildings and equipment
- Providing funds for curriculum expansion and new programs
There are three primary stages of a Capital Campaign. We can lead your school through the initial investigation stage (Feasibility Study) and, using the data gathered in the Feasibility Study as a guide, into the Preparation and Readiness stage, and finally onto the collection stage commonly referred to as the Capital Campaign.
1. The Feasibility Study
Attitude, perception, mood of supporters and their relationship to the school are intangibles that will impact the success of a campaign. A Feasibility Study will provide insights into the those critical intangibles that need to be addressed prior to embarking on and during the demanding journey of a capital campaign. Campaign preparations based on the Feasibility Study findings will determine if a strong campaign start is achieved and if a vibrant campaign race to the finish is sustained.
A Feasibility Study will provide insights and answers to the following key issues:
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Who are the finest leaders to lead a campaign?
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To what degree does the constituent base support the Vision for the future of the school?
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Does the proposed project match the priorities of the support base?
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How realistic is the financial target, and what potential is there to achieve the amount?
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How willing are people to support the proposed capital campaign?
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What priority do people have for giving to this project?
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What potential leadership gifts are available for the campaign?
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Are there unresolved issues that could impact campaign success?
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What are the key strengths that that the school should emphasize during a campaign?
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What are the key constituency groups, and what messages are important to communicate to each?
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What advice, insights and feedback would school families want to share with Leadership?
Investment in a Feasibility Study is critical to preparing well for your campaign and in conducting the course of daily campaign activity. Leadership can best direct the campaign through careful consideration of the report findings. As professional campaign counsel who has conducted many capital campaigns we fervently endorse the benefits of a Feasibility Study in assisting leaders to make the most informed decisions for their school as they consider embarking on the emotional journey of a campaign.
2. The Preparation and Readiness Stage
The prospects for the project look favourable, there is capacity and ability to deliver upon your goals. However there may be some challenges that need to be addressed and actions undertaken before commitments can be realized upon.
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Clarity with respect to vision
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Confidence in leadership
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Communications effectiveness
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Timing
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Adequacy of the administrative structure
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Strategy for nurturing collaborative partnerships
3. The Capital Campaign Stage
The course of the campaign can now be set, the direction clear, the goals identified. ISPG will now guide you through the process of:
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"Reed Sumida’s integrated approach built the project team, designed and delivered presentation and proposal materials, developed new financial relationships for the school and managed the whole process with an on-time delivery. Mr. Sumida’s professionalism was evident in all phases of the project. It was particularly highlighted in the company’s understanding of the school’s culture, ability to motivate a disparate volunteer and community group and by providing opportunities for participation in the process."
Gail Gabel, Board Chair - University Preparatory School
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Recognizing and recruiting a leadership team
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Developing a feasible working plan based on the findings of the Feasibility Study
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Establishing a Development or Campaign Office
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Recruiting, educating and inspiring a dynamic team of volunteers
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Crafting and articulating the final “Case for Support” along with other strategic communications and marketing materials
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Conducting further research into current constituencies and possible “Gifts in Kind” for building projects
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Campaign Announcements
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Executing marketing & awareness strategy
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Cultivation of events conducted to begin to secure commitments of Leadership Gifts
