4662 Gravelly Hills Road
Louisville,
Tennessee 37777

(865) 379-1234
(865) 379-2034 (fax)
(800) 263-1976 (Toll-free)

300 Queen Anne Ave. N., Suite 377
Seattle, Washington 98109

(206) 364-1227
(206) 364-1218 (fax)
(800) 606-6922

fundraising for all type of churches

GIVING LEVELS

Rules of Thumb in Giving:

At least one half of goal raised in Major Gifts. A general rule of thumb in fundraising is the 80/20 rule – meaning that 80% of the total goal should come from about 20% of the donors. In most cases a campaign can be successful with at least half of that goal coming from major gifts.

Targets (suggested request) in Major Gifts should equal goal for the campaign. This allows some flexibility to strategize to ‘make up the difference’ in the general phase if major gift prospects choose to give at a lower level than what is requested.

One Major Gift Committee member for each five prospects. The workload for this ratio is very manageable and gives time for the Committee members to arrange solicitations in a timely manner and conduct a quality major gift visit.

The Major Gift Chair must be able to make a Major Gift – a larger Major Gift potential is encouraged. Peer to peer solicitations are most effective, so it's important that the Major Gift Chair is capable and willing to make a gift at the same level as those who are being asked at a major gift level. This demonstrates confidence in the project and credibility in the campaign leadership and renovation or building project.

The minimum gift request for the Leadership & Pace Setter Gift Phase should never be lower than the average needed to make goal with a 50% participation. This rule of thumb builds a natural milestone into the campaign timeline to gage and evaluate campaign progress.

The minimum gift request for the campaign should never be less than $1,250 over three years. The reality of a capital campaign is that members will be asked to give sacrificially. It’s important that even the minimum gift plan is a ‘stretch’ gift, knowing that those who are unable to give at that level will give at a level that is most suitable to them. Even still, it’s important that there is a gift plan for every level that indicates monthly, quarterly and yearly gifts. Click here to see a sample pledge card.

All volunteer worker gifts must be secured within the phase in which they (the volunteers) are working. The purpose of this is to capitalize on the momentum of each phase, thus creating a snowball effect in giving. Its important that members see phase-by-phase progress toward reaching the goal. Momentum in giving is perceived as evidence of a supportable, exciting project.

Pertinent Averages:

70%-80% of Leadership & Pace Setter prospects will give to the campaign at some level.

95%+ of all campaign volunteers will give – more than 70% at requested level.

50%-60% of regular (consistent) donors will give to the campaign. Most will give at or near Phase I & II levels.

Less than 20% of non-donors will make a gift. Most gifts will be substantially below phase level.

Minimum Average Gifts:

Major Gifts – 20% of donor prospects.

To achieve a $2 million goal, major gifts should average $7,500 or higher.

To achieve a $1 million goal, Major Gifts should average $5,000 to $6,000 and higher.

To achieve a $500,000 goal Major Gifts should average $3,300 or higher (These are general averages and are, of course, no assurance of goal. Non-achievement of these averages gives a high assurance of non-goal achievement).

You can increase the number of Major Gift prospects by including $100 plus Christmas and Easter contributors and one-time $1,000 contributors.

Major Gift prospect list should begin with those giving at least $25 per week or $1,500 year.

You can add other donors with caution. It is better to increase the target request of $25 per week plus donors to get to a target equal to goal than it is to arbitrarily drop to the $10 per week donor and make them all $5,000 prospects.

You can add to the Special Gift list by adding school families and Religious Education families even though these families may not be contributors.

On an average, 40%-50% of the cash is collected in the first year of pledge payment. It is collected as follows:

10% Down Payment

36% Payments in the first 12 months (3% per month)

5% Early paid in full

51% Collected

Roughly one half of the outstanding balance is collected in the second year and the remainder over the three to five years. An extraordinary Major Gift total (two thirds of the total) or a low down payment will alter these expectations.

Chart of Gifts:

A Chart of Gifts is a guideline that is useful in showing the breakdown of number of families and gifts required to reach a particular goal. The chart of gifts is not a science, but an ideal and a guideline

The following sample Chart of Gifts is for a 1,400 family church with a $2,000,000 goal. It illustrates the rule of thumb that 80% of the gifts should come from 20% of the families.

Gift Plan names can be determined through the Design & Marketing Phase.

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