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The decision to enter a capital campaign rests with the board, but often there is a lack of full support from the board. For a variety of reasons, boards often are hesitant to approve a capital campaign. Board culture, previous failed campaigns, personal cost, fear of failure, stakeholder concern, economic conditions, or reservations about current leadership are some of the possible reasons for not enthusiastically supporting the decision to launch a capital campaign.

Here are six questions to move your board toward full engagement.

  1. What is your understanding of the campaign? Probe each board member’s evolving understanding of the campaign—and the business case behind it. Check in on both their strategic (big picture) and tactical (step-by-step) understanding. This is not a time to defend or even share more details about the campaign. Rather it is a time to gather information about what they are thinking.
  2. What concerns do you have? Don’t ask board members if they have concerns—concerns are a given, so get them out in the open and discuss them. Help the board identify their deep-seated concerns and reservations. Another way of asking this is what do they want to avoid moving forward?
  3. How do you see your role? Don’t assume boards knows their role in a campaign. Verify and clarify their role. Many will be hesitant because it is implied that they will have to open their checkbooks more than they already are. Let your board members verbalize what their role is in the campaign. Equip them in understanding the importance of their engagement.
  4. What do you need? This question validates and diffuses any frustrations or fears a board member might be feeling with the campaign or its impact on stakeholders. Another way of asking this is What do they want to preserve moving forward?
  5. How would you describe your commitment to the campaign? Giving your board members a chance to be honest about their commitment allows you to better understand their motivations and increase their support. Knowing from the beginning which board members will fully support the campaign will be helpful during the campaign.
  6. What do you want to achieve? Begin with the end in mind and help the board think about the preferred future and the outcomes of the campaign. Help them understand the value of the campaign to the institution. This is an opportunity to inspire the board to engagement by envisioning the missional benefits.

When launching a campaign, full support of the board can make the difference between a successful campaign and a struggling campaign.

Adapted from “5 Questions to Get Your Project Team on the Same Page,” by Timothy R. Clark

About the Author: Jules Glanzer served as a pastor and church planter for 25 years, a seminary dean at George Fox University, and the college president at Tabor College. While at Tabor, God used his efforts to raise more than $53 million with no gift over $2 million. Jules serves as an adjunct professor, mentor, senior consultant with the Timothy Group, and recently authored Money. Money. Money. Actions for Effective Fundraising.

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