By the time you’re thinking about a campaign, you’ve already weighed the massive investment of time, effort, and energy—and decided it’s worth it. A fundraising campaign is a chance to rally donors, boost visibility, and bring a bold vision to life.

But passion alone won’t cut it.

Even the most mission-driven nonprofit organizations need a solid plan and the right resources. While there’s always a bit of “building the plane while flying it,” you’ll have a much smoother ride if you start with a feasibility study.

And here’s the good news: You don’t have to do it alone. A skilled nonprofit consultant brings expertise, fresh perspective, and a structured approach that strengthens your strategy and fundraising tactics. The right feasibility study will help you sharpen your campaign goal, gather critical data, and mobilize your supporters. And if the study reveals your nonprofit organization isn’t quite ready? That’s valuable too—it gives you a chance to shore up weaknesses before launch.

Feasibility Study vs. Campaign Planning Study: What’s the Difference?

Sometimes, you’ll hear these terms used interchangeably. We prefer “campaign planning study” because it better captures the real work at hand. Feasibility suggests a yes/no answer, but it’s rarely that simple.

A campaign planning study evaluates your nonprofit organization’s readiness and moves through four key phases:

• Preparation: Drafting a preliminary case for support.
• Discovery: Conducting donor interviews and assessing internal systems.
• Analysis and Reporting: Synthesizing findings into actionable insights.
• Strategic Recommendations: Mapping out the next steps for success.

Throughout this process, we test for five essential elements of a winning campaign:

1. Reputation: Does your organization have credibility and trust?
2. Vision: Is your campaign goal compelling to donors?
3. Leadership: Are board members and leaders committed?
4. Funding Potential: Can you realistically secure major gifts?
5. Infrastructure: Do you have the systems and staffing to support the campaign?

If all five elements are strong, full steam ahead. If not, we help you build them up before takeoff.

Start With a Strong Case for Support

A successful campaign begins with a clear, persuasive case for support. During the preparation phase, we help you define objectives, outline impact, and craft a compelling document. This becomes the foundation for donor conversations, ensuring that early supporters understand—and get excited about—your vision.

Turn Data Into Action

A great campaign planning study gathers insights from both external and internal sources.

External Assessment: Through confidential interviews and focus groups, we gauge how key donors and influencers perceive your campaign. By speaking with 30-35 of your closest supporters, we uncover insights about gift potential, community response, and overall campaign viability.

Internal Assessment: We analyze your organization’s fundraising culture, staffing, technology, and operational capacity. Do you have enough gift officers? Is your donor database up to the task? Are internal processes aligned for success? We pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring you have the infrastructure to sustain a campaign.

Make the Study Work for You

A campaign planning study isn’t just a data dump—it’s a strategic roadmap. The findings may confirm you’re ready to roll, or they might reveal critical gaps that need addressing. Either way, you leave with a plan.

Sometimes, surprising opportunities emerge—unexpected major donors, hidden champions in your network, or new funding pathways. Other times, the study signals the need for internal capacity building before moving forward. Whatever the results, we help you translate insights into action.

Partner With a Pro for a Smarter Campaign

Launching a campaign is a major commitment. Without an objective, experienced partner, you risk missing critical insights.

When you work with Benefactor Group, you get more than a study—you get a strategic partner who ensures you start strong. We help you clarify your vision, gather key data, and turn recommendations into real results.

Thinking about a campaign? Let’s talk.