When to Hire an Owner’s Representative for Your Capital Campaign Building Project

If your capital campaign includes a construction or renovation project, there’s far more to think about than fundraising goals and donor lists. In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns, host Andrea Kihlstedt sits down with Sanjeevanee Vidwans, an independent capital project management consultant, to unpack what it really takes to plan and manage a successful building project from the owner’s side.

Sanjeevanee, a civil engineer turned project management expert, explains the pivotal role of an owner’s representative — the person who helps nonprofit leaders, boards, and executive directors make informed decisions throughout complex construction projects. She shares how bringing in an owner’s rep early can help you assess potential sites, align budgets with design realities, and avoid expensive surprises down the line.

Listeners will learn how project feasibility studies differ from fundraising feasibility studies, what to expect when hiring architects and contractors, and how to keep scope, budget, and schedule aligned from concept to completion. The conversation bridges the gap between campaign planning and construction management, giving nonprofit leaders practical insights for steering multimillion-dollar projects with confidence.

Through real-world examples — including major academic and nonprofit facilities — Sanjeevanee reveals what makes collaboration between owners, architects, and construction managers truly work. She also discusses how even smaller organizations can benefit from owner’s rep guidance, ensuring every dollar raised is spent wisely.

Whether your organization is dreaming of a new arts center, school expansion, or community facility, this episode will help you understand how to manage your project’s moving parts, anticipate potential pitfalls, and build a team that shares your vision. Tune in to learn how preparation, communication, and the right expertise can turn your campaign’s construction goals into a reality.

To ensure your campaign ends in a celebration, download our free Capital Campaign Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist. This intuitive guide breaks down each step of your campaign, and the timeline allows you to visualize your whole campaign, from start to finish!