When it comes to a church capital campaign, there are a few things that you need to know when you’re starting out. Unlike other capital campaigns, churches consist of people already invested in the ministry. While they already know about the ministry, they might not know why a church capital campaign is necessary. Consider these ideas when you’re starting to plan your church capital campaign:

1. Get Help!

Don’t underestimate the power an outside professional fundraising consultant or firm can help your organization. You probably are a professional fundraiser, and while you might be fully capable of running your church’s capital campaign, you also have many other important tasks to complete. A professional consultant will not only help you meet your goals, but they will also have the expertise and outside perspective of an outside firm that will help your campaign be successful.

2. It’s Not About the Money!

Take great care when you’re launching and communicating to the congregation about the project. The church isn’t about money, it’s about helping people and changing lives. Don’t lose sight of that vision when you’re planning your church capital campaign. In all the communication to the congregation, make sure to include stories of changed lives. Talk about how the project will ultimately impact lives, because the church is about people, not money.

3. Set a Clear Goal and Give it a Deadline

This is where a church capital campaign is no different from any other capital campaign. Your congregation will pull together and work together when they have a clear goal and a deadline set before them.

When you’re planning your church capital campaign, remember that the majority of your money will come out of offerings from your congregation who will give above and beyond what they’re already giving to keep the ministry running on a regular basis. The members of the congregation feel an ownership and connection to the ministry, and they’re already supporting it with their time, tithes and offerings.

For those who already attend and are a part of your congregation or ministry, they don’t need a flashy presentation. They need information conveyed in a humble, factual, professional manner. Don’t go overboard with unnecessary graphics or brochures.

Will the new building increase your church’s capacity for outreach? If you can communicate how the church capital campaign will make a difference in the lives of your congregation and the ministry, you’re able to remind the congregation that the campaign isn’t just about raising money, it’s about changing lives.

7. Ask for Training

For most pastors or leaders of a ministry, fundraising is not your primary focus, and you’ve probably never run a church capital campaign. However, you do already have relationships within the congregation. Ask a campaign consultant or an expert to equip you and your campaign committee with the right skills to ask members in your congregation for gifts for the church capital campaign.

8. Know Your Congregation’s Goals

What are your church’s long-term and short-term goals? When planning a church capital campaign, make sure you’re communicating not only why the campaign is important to the church, but also how it fits into your church’s overall vision.

9. Find Ways Everyone Can be Involved

While some people in your congregation will give to the church capital campaign monetarily, others will want to give in other ways. It’s important to find ways to utilize volunteers in the church capital campaign so they can give in other ways. Some ideas include developing a prayer team to support the project in prayer, or an administrative team to help with any mailings or other administrative tasks during the campaign. If you’re planning a church building project, make sure to utilize those with construction skills where you can.

10. Give it a Theme

Have a theme your church body can connect to. Whether it’s a Bible verse or simple slogan, make sure it’s communicated often and fits with the nature of the project.

11. Give Careful Consideration to the Construction Company

If your church capital campaign is a building campaign, make sure your construction company reputable and is on board with your timeline and fundraising goals. You don’t want to have to go back and ask for more funds of your construction company goes over budget.

12. Don’t Miss the Ultimate Goal

Your church’s capital campaign isn’t just about raising funds. This is an opportunity to ask your congregation to step out in faith and give beyond their normal means. Through leading you congregation in taking a step of faith you will help them grow in their beliefs.