Campaigns: Why They Matter for Our Future

Early in my career as a fundraiser, I had the chance to be part of what was called a “small capital campaign.” When I heard “small,” I thought it wouldn’t be too hard. But I quickly learned that “small” wasn’t the right word at all! That campaign turned out to be a significant endeavor, requiring thoughtful planning and dedicated resources to achieve its success.

Why Nonprofit Organizations Like Ours Run Campaigns

You might wonder why nonprofit organizations always seem to be holding giving campaigns, capital campaigns or other fundraising drives. It’s a good question! Here are a few reasons why campaigns are so important:

• Smart Spending: Every organization has costs to run its programs. While fundraising always costs something, campaigns are often the most effective way to bring in more dollars compared to how much they cost. For example, a campaign might cost between 5-10% of the money it raises, which is often less than what it costs to raise money through yearly appeals or special events. This means more of your gift goes directly to our mission!
• Creating Excitement: Campaigns create a real buzz and energy around a cause. This excitement can help an organization reach more people and bring in new supporters who care about what we do.
• Shaping the Future: Sometimes, organizations need to make big changes to be ready for what’s next. A successful campaign can be a key part of this rethinking, helping to reshape an organization for years to come.

CICOA’s Journey: Why Campaigns Matter to Us

The CICOA Foundation proudly supports the important work of CICOA. Our organization, like many others, is going through a time of significant change as we look for ways to grow stronger for the future. This means we are also thinking about how we can best support CICOA and create more ways to serve our community.

“Fundraising is a vital tool for nonprofits not only in generating necessary funds but also in expanding their reach and building community support. It’s more than just collecting money; it’s about engaging with people and sharing the nonprofit’s mission, thereby growing its network.”
                  – Whit Hunter, “Why Is Fundraising Important for Your Nonprofit?”

Many of you have been connected to CICOA for years, and those connections often started because someone from our team reached out with care and purpose, building the relationship we share today.

What Donors Value Most

So, how do donors feel about all this? More specifically, how do you feel about it? In my experience, donors truly value an authentic connection to an organization’s mission and a belief that the mission truly matters.

Organizations that succeed in their mission can clearly show how they’ve used the gifts they’ve received. We call this transparency! Donors want to see the impact of their generosity – they want to hear the stories of how lives have changed because of their support and see that their gifts match their own beliefs and values. Whether there’s a campaign or not, transparency and impact are some of the most important things to donors.

Being Smart About How We Raise Funds

While campaigns certainly create enthusiasm for a cause, we also think carefully about the cost versus the benefit of our fundraising efforts. As someone who enjoys diving into these numbers, I can tell you it’s important for both organizations and donors to consider! We always want to make sure we’re being smart and efficient.

As a donor, you want to know that CICOA does everything possible to keep costs low, so your generous gifts are used directly for our mission and programs. Fundraising does have costs, but we follow best practices to make sure those costs are kept at an appropriate level.

Looking Ahead: CICOA’s Future and Your Role

Campaigns truly create a buzz, provide momentum for organizations, and allow us to raise vital funds. I hope this helps you understand a bit more clearly why organizations often highlight campaigns.

I’ve been part of several campaigns throughout my career and truly believe they are a vital part of a successful fundraising plan. I’ve learned that no campaign is ever truly “small,” but rather they represent a thoughtful and substantial commitment of time, talent and resources that, when well-executed, can power a nonprofit’s mission far into the future.

We are certainly looking to CICOA’s future and thinking about how we can grow our network and strengthen our fundraising efforts to best benefit CICOA and the people we serve. Lately, we’ve been focused on careful planning for exciting new initiatives that will allow us to expand our impact. We’re laying the groundwork now, and there will be opportunities ahead for you to play a role in making these initiatives successful and impactful.

Your belief in CICOA’s mission is what truly powers our work. We invite you to stay connected with us as we continue to plan for an even stronger future.

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And, if you’re interested in learning more about CICOA’s vision for the future or simply wish to chat about how your support can make an even greater difference, I am always glad to grab a cup of coffee with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. I’m here to assist you in considering your philanthropic goals and desires.

Steve Gerber

Steve Gerber brings experience in pastoral ministry, nonprofit management and fundraising team leadership to his role as CICOA’s chief development officer. Steve is responsible for the agency’s overall fundraising strategy, leading annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, grants and special events.

He holds designations for Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy^® (CAP^®), and the executive certificate in religious fundraising. Steve earned a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Temple University, a master’s degree from Grace Theological Seminary and a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix.