Episode
The Natural Ebbs and Flows of a Capital Campaign (And How to Use Them to Your Advantage)
- Published
- Jun 9, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1076
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Summary
What if the “slow” periods in your capital campaign are actually some of the most productive opportunities for building donor relationships and campaign success? In this episode of All About Capital Campaigns , hosts Amy Eisenstein and Andrea Kihlstedt explore the natural ebbs and flows that every capital campaign experiences—and why nonprofit leaders should stop viewing slower periods as setbacks. Whether you're in the quiet phase of a campaign, preparing for a major fundraising push, or wondering how seasonal changes affect donor engagement, this conversation offers practical insights that can help you manage campaign momentum more effectively. Many nonprofit leaders assume a capital campaign should operate at full speed all the time. But campaigns are multi-year endeavors, and maintaining maximum intensity for years simply isn't sustainable. Amy and Andrea discuss why successful campaigns naturally move through periods of high activity and quieter stretches, and how understanding these cycles can reduce stress, prevent burnout, and improve fundraising outcomes. The discussion begins with an examination of seasonal fundraising patterns. Is summer really a slow time for fundraising? The answer depends on your organization, your donors, and your community. For some nonprofits, summer presents unique opportunities to connect with donors who are more relaxed and available. For others, donor travel patterns may create different challenges. Either way, making assumptions about donor availability can cause organizations to miss valuable opportunities. Amy and Andrea share examples of nonprofits that successfully leveraged summer activities and informal gatherings to deepen donor relationships and move campaign conversations forward. They discuss how cultivation often works…