When considering a professional fundraising and development firm to assist with or build a capital campaign for your church or organization, it is important to understand the role of a capital campaign manager. What does a capital campaign manager do?
A capital campaign manager is the person who oversees all aspects of the church, school or organization’s extraordinary fundraising effort. From the earliest stages of planning to celebrating success, the campaign manager ensures that the campaign runs smoothly, maintains the agreed-upon timeline, meets benchmarks and goals, and remains faithful to the parish’s mission and vision through the process. Think of the campaign manager as the architect of campaign planning and key components.
The capital campaign manager can make or break a campaign. Without someone to coordinate details and communicate clearly with all involved, even the most prayerful and well-intentioned campaign can lose focus or momentum. For your Catholic church fundraising campaign, a professional campaign manager keeps the vision alive, uniting leadership, volunteers and donors around a shared goal.
Understanding the role of a capital campaign manager
A capital campaign manager is not simply a fundraiser; this person is a strategist and leader who plans, directs and executes an intensive, time-limited effort to raise substantial funds for major parish needs. They organize the campaign structure, write and coach the communication, oversee volunteer committees and teams, and ensure that each step aligns with the overall strategy and mission.
This role differs from general fundraising and stewardship because it is focused on achieving a specific, large-scale objective, like building a new church, renovating facilities or paying down debt, within a defined timeframe. It requires deeper planning, strong leadership and a clear roadmap to success.
At its best, the capital campaign manager’s work connects directly to the parish’s mission. Every goal, message and milestone should reflect the deeper, spiritual foundation and purpose of the campaign. Building spaces and ministries brings people closer to God.
Essential qualities of a capital campaign manager
A robust hiring process and best practices will focus on selecting a campaign manager with these essential qualifications and skills required:
- Leadership and vision: A successful campaign manager will confidently see the big picture and lead with both certainty and flexibility. The campaign manager sets the tone for the effort, ensuring a clear path to the end goal.
- Strong communication skills: The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is paramount to the campaign manager role. Whether speaking with clergy, volunteers, donors or any other stakeholder in a project, the campaign manager must be able to tailor the message in a way that will connect and motivate everyone in the community.
- Organizational ability: A campaign is multi-faceted and requires a manager who is highly organized. Whether its coordinating schedules, managing deadlines or maintaining pieces of committee-style projects, the campaign manager is the person who maintains it all.
- Adaptability and problem-solving: Even the best-laid plans will experience challenges. When a campaign meets a roadblock, the campaign manager requires flexibility and a problem-solving attitude. The best managers think on their feet and pivot to keep progress on-track.
- Faith and commitment: When the campaign manager truly understands the faith community, there can be an unparalleled level of trust, understanding and commitment to the campaign. By exhibiting the values of stewardship and generosity in partnership, a campaign manager can lead with both example and excellence.
Key responsibilities in a parish capital campaign
- Setting realistic fundraising goals. One of the campaign manager’s first responsibilities is to help set realistic fundraising goals that will challenge parishioners to give sacrificially without overextending actual capacity. Goals must both reflect the faith-filled vision of a congregation and practical wisdom, which is best discovered through a thorough fundraising feasibility study.
- Coordinating with clergy, staff and volunteers. Collaboration is key, as successful campaigns depend on teamwork and shared accountability which ensures everyone is united and informed.
- Overseeing donor outreach and cultivation. Building relationships, organizing visits and ensuring donors feel appreciated are key components of a successful campaign.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability. Transparency and accountability foster trust, which is the foundation of long-term stewardship. This is the heart of what a campaign manager must accomplish with a parish capital campaign.
The parish’s role in supporting the campaign manager
The reality is a campaign manager cannot accomplish the highest level of success independently. A campaign manager can only be as effective as the support received from parish leadership. When the pastor and other leaders support the campaign, it sends a powerful message that this effort is a shared mission rooted in the spiritual goals of the parish, not merely a financial one. Parish leadership is central to effective capital campaign communication.
Aligned leadership among clergy, staff and key volunteers and stakeholders is equally critical. When leadership shows unity in purpose and message, the parish community responds with greater confidence and enthusiasm.
Volunteers are the heart of any parish effort and empowering them builds both momentum and ownership. The campaign manager thrives when parishioners are encouraged, trained and entrusted with meaningful roles in the process.
Working with capital campaign consultants
Many parishes benefit from partnering with professional capital campaign consultants who bring experience and focus to complex fundraising efforts. Consultants offer strategic guidance, proven tools and objective insights that strengthen the manager’s work.
The roles and responsibilities of a capital campaign manager will include working on crucial early steps to prevent missteps and ensuring the campaign starts with realistic expectations. This is accomplished effectively with a tailored feasibility study.
Consultants also provide training for ministry leaders, volunteers and clergy, helping them approach donor engagement with confidence and professionalism. While donor engagement is best accomplished on the most personal level, the campaign manager’s guidance on messaging, timelines and resource allocation ensures that every part of the campaign is well-coordinated and mission-focused.
Common mistakes during capital campaigns
Some of the most common mistakes a parish makes during a capital campaign include:
- Skipping feasibility studies. Without this groundwork, campaigns risk setting unrealistic expectations or missing key donor insights.
- Setting unrealistic and unattainable fundraising goals. Goals should challenge and energize the parish while remaining achievable.
- Neglecting donor stewardship after contributions. Expressing gratitude and maintaining communication are essential for sustaining long-term generosity.
- Failing to communicate consistently with parishioners and stakeholders. Regular updates through announcements at the beginning or end of Mass, homilies, bulletins and meetings keep the community informed and connected to the mission.
The long-term impact of a strong capital campaign manager
A skilled campaign manager doesn’t just raise funds, they cultivate lasting donor relationships built on trust and gratitude. This foundation benefits future stewardship efforts and nurtures a culture of generosity within the parish.
Prioritizing capital campaign planning means beginning a campaign from the strongest possible position. With robust planning and data acquisition, the campaign will have the most effective and lasting impact. This information-gathering stage sets the tone not only for what can be accomplished but ensures that a successful campaign will be felt for generations to come. A strong capital campaign manager ensures that this planning is organized and effective for the duration of the campaign.
When campaigns are led effectively, the results extend far beyond financial success. Parishes experience growth, renewed unity and deeper engagement in their shared mission. It equips parish leaders and volunteers with new skills and systems that will serve the community for years to come.
Conclusion: Guiding your parish to capital campaign success
Finding the right capital campaign manager is one of the most important steps a parish can take toward long-term vitality. This individual embodies the leadership, faith and strategic vision needed to guide a major fundraising effort with integrity and success.
Parishes should look for leaders who align with their mission, understand the community and can unite people around a shared vision of growth and discipleship. For the Steier Group, hiring campaign managers who have deeply held faith-values means our team will be both respectful and understanding of the vision and mission of your church.
Ultimately, a well-managed capital campaign does more than fund buildings; it builds faith, strengthens community and prepares the parish for a future filled with possibility. This is the goal of the Steier Group: not just raise funds, but bring communities together. A capital campaign firm built on decades of excellence in performance and a deeply-held belief in the importance of hiring dedicated campaign staff will ultimately serve any parish that is in need of assistance for a major fundraising effort.
