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Q: Do you have a sample capital campaign gift chart?

A:  Key to conceptualizing the execution of any major capital campaign is the adoption of a "gift chart" as a mechanism for goal setting and tracking campaign progress.  For example, the following chart represents the number of gifts from individuals, corporations or foundations at each giving level that must be obtained for a successful $60 million campaign. 

SAMPLE $60 MILLION CAMPAIGN GIFT CHART

Gift         # Gifts Needed     Gift Amount    Total This Category   # Prospects Needed

Major Gifts         2              $5,000,000         $10,000,000                    8

                       20              $1,000,000         $20,000,000                  80

                       25              $   500,000         $12,500,000                100

                       30              $   250,000         $  7,500,000                120

                       30              $   100,000         $  3,000,000                120

                       31              $     75,000         $  2,325,000                124

                       35              $     50,000         $  1,750,000                140

                       40              $     25,000         $  1,000,000                160

Special Gifts     60              $     10,000         $     600.000                240

                       80              $       5,000         $     400,320

General Gifts   150              $       2,500         $     375,000                600

                      300              $       1,000         $     300,000              1200

                    1250**                < 1,000         $     250,000              5,000

100% Goal    2053                                         $60,000,000              8,212             

The “Number of Prospects” column is a reminder that generally, the success rate of "asks" is 1 in 4.  Thus, a pool of four donors, each capable of giving $5 million, is needed to yield one donor who actually gives $5 million.  It is also important to recognize that the relationship building meetings required to yield gifts of $1,000,000 or more may require a multiple year process that must include the leadership of the institution.