In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explain why a gift range chart is one of the most essential planning tools for any successful capital campaign. They break down what a gift range chart is, how to create one, and why it can guide your campaign from start to finish.
You’ll hear why setting the right top gift amount is critical, how your donor base size influences the chart’s shape, and what percentage of your total goal should come from your largest gifts. Andrea and Amy share practical examples showing how different organizations—such as a large, well-known nonprofit versus a smaller, more specialized group—might structure their charts for the best results.
The conversation covers:
- How to determine your campaign goal before building your chart
- Why the top gift often needs to be 20–35% of your total goal
- The relationship between donor base size and gift distribution
- Common mistakes, like underestimating top gift size and overestimating small gift totals
- How to use a gift range chart calculator to test different scenarios
- Why this tool is a guide, not a formula, and still requires your judgment
- How to identify potential lead donors based on past giving history
- What to do if your donor base can’t support your original goal
- The role of feasibility studies in confirming gift potential
Listeners will also learn why large gifts almost always come from people already connected to the organization—and why it’s rare to receive a transformational gift from someone with no prior giving history. Amy and Andrea discuss how to set aspirational yet achievable targets, and how to adjust your campaign plan if early research shows that your original goal may be out of reach.
By the end of the episode, you’ll understand how a thoughtfully constructed gift range chart can help you anticipate challenges, guide donor cultivation, and keep your campaign on track from start to finish.
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
For more free capital campaign resources, visit https://capitalcampaignpro.com/campaign-resources.
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