Using Opportunities, Campaigns, and Funds to Set Up Campaign Goals

Trent Smither

Am I thinking about this correctly?

We are about to start a comprehensive campaign (pending board approval.) We have a preliminary list of top-50 donors with ask amounts.

To get started, should we create the Campaign, and under that the three Funds (two capital projects and one endowment raise?)

And then attach the opportunities constituent by constituent based on our preliminary list?

Thanks.

Christine Robertson

@Trent Smither I think that you're on the right track. Is there a specific aspect of this that you're looking for assistance with?

Trent Smither

@Christine Robertson No, just want to make sure I'm not making an obvious mistake.

I spoke with a database view expert this morning, and she walked me through the wisdom of having a general fund for the campaign that we can goal set via Opportunities. Once the donors identify or give towards a specific fund within the campaign, we can adjust from the general fund.

Karen Diener

@Trent Smither:

Am I thinking about this correctly?

We are about to start a comprehensive campaign (pending board approval.) We have a preliminary list of top-50 donors with ask amounts.

To get started, should we create the Campaign, and under that the three Funds (two capital projects and one endowment raise?)

And then attach the opportunities constituent by constituent based on our preliminary list?

Thanks.

My red flag is “comprehensive campaign”. If it is comprehensive, do you need to add a new Campaign and connect all gifts to it? The next sentence seems to contradict the notion of a comprehensive campaign.

I think this article does a good job of defining each.

If it truly is the latter - an special ask in addition to regular giving - then I think you are definitely on the right track. I do foresee questions about where gifts should count. For instance, donors are inevitably going to respond to a specific solicitation (maybe a direct mail or email blast) and say “can this count to the campaign”. Your direct mail / annual giving person may “lose” that donation, so think carefully about how to handle those situations.