PLANNING AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES

1. Initial Consultation

• We start with an in-depth discussion to understand your nonprofit's goals, challenges, and vision for the future.

2. Data Collection and Analysis

• Our consulting team conducts personal, face-to-face interviews with your supporters, constituents, and other community leaders. In some cases, we may also host some small-group discussions.

• Our team has informational discussions with volunteers and staff as needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of your organization.

• We evaluate your organization's campaign readiness and capacity to conduct a campaign through the Campaign Readiness Assessment process.

• A review of your organization’s historical support patterns and current fundraising efforts is conducted.

• We assess recent and anticipated significant fundraising activities in your area to understand the fundraising environment.

3. Assessment and Strategy Development

• Our careful approach enables us to assess interest and attitudes toward your proposed fundraising effort from prospective donors, community members, and area business or foundation leaders.

• We combine effective research, strong interviewing skills, and creative thinking to identify strengths and potential constraints impacting your fundraising potential.

• We evaluate how well your organization is positioned to conduct a capital campaign and outline the necessary steps to achieve success.

4. Reporting and Recommendations

• We provide a detailed written report that includes an objective appraisal of fundraising potential, feasibility, and specific recommendations tailored to your organization’s needs. It also includes sample comments derived from our interview notes.

• Organizational Image and Reputation

  • Evaluating the public perception and overall reputation of your organization within the community and among stakeholders. Understanding how your organization is viewed can help identify strengths to build upon and areas needing improvement.

• Perception of Current Staff Leadership

  • Assessing how the leadership team is viewed in terms of competence, vision, and effectiveness. This includes gathering feedback on their ability to inspire confidence and lead the organization toward its goals.

• Perception of Current Board Leadership

  • Understanding how the board of directors is perceived in their governance role. This involves evaluating their commitment, strategic vision, and ability to support the organization’s mission and fundraising efforts.

• Appeal of the Vision Statement (Preliminary Case for Support)

  • Reviewing how compelling and persuasive the vision statement or case for support is to potential donors and stakeholders. Ensuring that it effectively communicates the organization’s goals, needs, and impact.

• Receptivity to the Campaign

  • Gauging the level of interest and willingness among potential donors and supporters to engage with and support the proposed campaign. This includes understanding any reservations or enthusiasm they might have.

• Quality of the Fundraising Environment

  • Analyzing the current fundraising landscape, including competition for donations, economic conditions, and the presence of other major fundraising activities. Understanding these factors helps in strategizing effectively.

• Perception of the Fundraising Dollar Goal

  • Assessing whether the proposed fundraising goal is seen as realistic, ambitious, or unattainable by potential donors and stakeholders. This helps in setting a goal that is challenging yet achievable.

• Willingness to Contribute Financially

  • Measuring the inclination of potential donors to financially support the campaign. This includes understanding their capacity to give and identifying major gift prospects.

• Willingness to Work on the Campaign

  • Identifying individuals who are willing to volunteer their time and effort to support the campaign. This includes potential campaign leaders, committee members, and other volunteers.

• Potential to Attract Campaign Leaders

  • Evaluating the ability to recruit influential and dedicated individuals to lead the campaign. Strong leadership can significantly impact the campaign’s success.

• Potential for Attracting Leadership Gifts

  • Assessing the likelihood of securing significant donations from major donors. Leadership gifts often set the pace for the campaign and inspire others to give.

• Potential to Reach or Exceed the Campaign’s Dollar Goal

  • Estimating the feasibility of achieving the fundraising goal based on the analysis of donor capacity, campaign strategies, and the overall fundraising environment.

• Perceived Ability of the Organization to Plan and Implement a Capital Campaign Program

  • Evaluating the organization’s preparedness and capability to execute a successful capital campaign. This includes assessing internal resources, staff expertise, and strategic planning.

• Informed Decision-Making: Gain a sound base for strategic planning and decision-making.

• Enhanced Awareness: Build greater awareness and understanding of your organization’s mission and goals among stakeholders.

• Relationship Building: Deepen relationships with donors, volunteers, and community leaders.

• Optimized Campaign Strategies: Receive tailored strategies that maximize your fundraising potential and ensure campaign success.

We understand the importance of transparency and offer a clear breakdown of costs associated with our feasibility studies. Our pricing typically ranges from $18,000 to $24,000 (divided into 3 installments), depending on the scope and complexity of the study. Project-related expenses, such as travel and meals, range from $500 to $2,000 depending on the situation. These costs are not included in the main pricing but are clearly detailed in our proposal to ensure transparency.. We provide custom quotes to ensure our services are accessible and aligned with your budget.

As part of our feasibility study, we provide the following deliverables:

• A detailed written Feasibility Study Report and Recommendations.

• A Preliminary Capital Campaign Overview, Budget, and Timeline.

• A written Vision Statement (preliminary campaign Case for Support).

• A Scale of Giving Chart(s).

• Draft Invitation Letters and Thank You Letters for study participants.

• An Internal Campaign Readiness Assessment Guide.

• An Executive Summary of the Feasibility Study Report.

• A Highly Confidential Executive Letter identifying prospective campaign leaders, volunteers, and donors.

Our feasibility studies are typically completed within an eight-week timeframe. Here’s a breakdown of our timeline:

Organization Step (Weeks 1-2):

• Meet with the Study Committee to refine study objectives, timetable, Vision Statement, and list of study participants.

• Finalize background information and draft the Vision Statement and Invitation Letters.

• Send Invitation Letters/Vision Statement to interviewees.

Personal Interviews (Weeks 3-7):

• Schedule and conduct individual interviews and small-group sessions.

• Complete internal fundraising analysis and review other philanthropic activities.

• Send Thank You letters to study participants.

Analysis and Report Production (Week 8):

• Complete data tabulation, analyze results, and draft the preliminary written report.

• Present the written report and recommendations to your organization’s leadership.

• Expertise and Experience: Our team brings years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to every project.

• Customized Approach: We tailor our strategies to meet the unique needs and goals of your organization.

• Proven Track Record: We have a history of successful studies and campaigns that have resulted in tangible, inspiring outcomes.

• Client Testimonials: Hear from our satisfied clients who have experienced firsthand the benefits of our thorough and thoughtful approach.

What exactly is a feasibility study?

A feasibility study is a comprehensive assessment of your organization's readiness and capacity to undertake a capital campaign. It involves collecting and analyzing data, conducting interviews with key stakeholders, and evaluating various factors that could impact the success of your campaign.

Can our organization save money and skip the feasibility study?

While it might seem like a cost-saving measure, skipping the feasibility study can actually be more costly in the long run. A feasibility study provides critical insights into your organization's readiness for a campaign, identifies potential challenges, and helps craft a strategic plan. Without this foundation, your campaign may face significant hurdles that could have been anticipated and addressed.

How long does a feasibility study take to complete?

Our feasibility studies are typically completed within an eight-week timeframe. This includes the initial consultation, data collection and analysis, assessment and strategy development, and the final reporting and recommendations.

How do you conduct the interviews during a feasibility study?

We primarily conduct interviews through personal, face-to-face meetings. However, we also find that Zoom teleconferences or phone interviews can be just as effective, and many interviewees prefer the added convenience. In some cases, we may also host small-group discussions to gather comprehensive insights from various stakeholders.

What if the feasibility study shows that we are not ready for a campaign?

While it’s not common, there are occasions when our feasibility study might indicate that your organization is not yet ready for a campaign. In such cases, we provide detailed recommendations on steps to position your organization for future success. This might involve capacity building, strategic planning, or other preparatory activities. The goal of the study is to provide an honest assessment of campaign readiness and feasibility. Honest recommendations ensure that any steps taken are genuinely beneficial for your organization’s growth. Remember, there's always a way to progress and strengthen your organization as a result of the study.

How do we get started with a feasibility study?

To get started, contact Baker Street Consulting Group to schedule an initial consultation. We will discuss your organization's needs and goals and outline the steps for conducting a comprehensive feasibility study.