Nonprofit Essentials is a clear and compelling guide to the key components shared by all campaigns. Illuminating case studies, practical tools, proven strategies, and helpful hints displayed throughout the book highlight solutions to common stumbling blocks that can trip up even the experienced campaign professional.

Introduction. 1. Before Beginning Your Capital Campaign. 2. Preparing for the Capital Campaign. 3. Campaign Structure: Timetables, Gift Tables, and Goals. 4. Effective Campaign Leadership. 5. Making a Compelling Case. 6. Prospect Identification, Cultivation, and Solicitation. 7. Strategies That Motivate Donors. 8. Repositioning Your Organization through the Capital Campaign. Rules of the Road. Index.

A thorough and practical overview of the process of planning and managing a capital campaign "I have not come across a better book on the overall strategy and techniques necessary for the planning and implementation of a capital campaign. Ms. Walker covers all of the bases in a clear and concise manner that will benefit many organizations, especially those embarking on their first campaign. This book is an excellent tool for the senior development officer or executive director who may have conducted several campaigns. The examples of new trends in philanthropy and management tools for endowment are very helpful." —Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller, PhD President and CEO, The National D-Day Museum America's National World War II Museum Nonprofit Essentials: The Capital Campaign is an accessible and easy-to-read professional guide that provides concise, in-depth advice on capital campaigns. In lively discussions, independent consultant Julia Walker shares the tips, techniques, and programs that have helped her raise more than $600 million in capital campaigns. Nonprofit Essentials highlights new tools available through the Internet, such as Web sites for prospect research and the use of electronic media to help make an organization's case stand out among the competition, as well as such topics as: Determining if an organization is ready for a campaignBudgeting and staffing for a campaignSetting realistic goalsCreating a campaign gift tableIdentifying and training volunteersDonor cultivation that produces resultsCampaign recognition practices

"I have not come across a better book on the overall strategy and techniques necessary for the planning and implementation of a capital campaign. Ms. Walker covers all of the bases in a clear and concise manner that will benefit many organizations, especially those embarking on their first campaign. This book is an excellent tool for the senior development officer or executive director who may have conducted several campaigns. The examples of new trends in philanthropy and management tools for endowment are very helpful." --Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller, Ph.D. President & CEO The National D-Day Museum, America’s National World War II Museum "Walker’s book offers the rare and wonderful combination of both sophistication and simplicity. It is sophisticated in the depth of experience and knowledge it reflects yet simple to read and easy to use. Every beginner should read it for the strategic overview and ‘dog ear’ it for future referral on specific dilemmas. Every old work horse in the business should peruse it, marking those places Walker tells us what is changing and how to react to it."-- Martha W. Gilliland, Ph.D. Chancellor University of Missouri-Kansas City "This book by Julie Walker provides a comprehensive and practical guide on fundraising essentials that should serve as the Bible for nonprofits everywhere. I keep it on my desk at all times."--Adrienne Brooks Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Xavier University of Louisiana

Introduction. 1. Before Beginning Your Capital Campaign. 2. Preparing for the Capital Campaign. 3. Campaign Structure: Timetables, Gift Tables, and Goals. 4. Effective Campaign Leadership. 5. Making a Compelling Case. 6. Prospect Identification, Cultivation, and Solicitation. 7. Strategies That Motivate Donors. 8. Repositioning Your Organization through the Capital Campaign. Rules of the Road. Index.