What Is a Fundraising Feasibility Study, and Why It’s the Foundation of Every Successful Campaign
Discover why a fundraising feasibility study is the most important first step toward a successful capital campaign — and how it turns vision into reality.
The Smart Way to Begin Any Campaign
Before launching a capital campaign, it’s easy to get swept up in excitement — the vision is clear, the need is pressing, and your team feels ready. But real success begins not with the campaign itself, but with clarity. That clarity comes from a fundraising feasibility study — the single most overlooked, yet critical, step that determines whether your goals are achievable and your approach is strategic.
At the J.F. Smith Group, we’ve guided hundreds of organizations through this process. A feasibility study doesn’t just test the waters; it transforms insight into action.
What Is a Fundraising Feasibility Study?
A fundraising feasibility study is an in-depth assessment that measures an organization’s internal readiness and external opportunity for a capital campaign. It’s part market research, part donor engagement, and part strategic planning.
During the study, our team conducts confidential, personal interviews with key stakeholders — alumni, donors, board members, and community leaders — to assess support, enthusiasm, and trust. The process goes well beyond numbers; it builds understanding of your reputation, leadership strength, and donor motivation.
As one participant in a J.F. Smith Group study said, “Doing a feasibility study is smart. I’m glad they asked for input.”
Why Every Successful Campaign Begins Here
Skipping a feasibility study is like starting a building project without blueprints. Here’s what it brings to the table:
1. An honest snapshot of readiness. It evaluates your organization’s fundraising infrastructure, communications, and staff capacity — ensuring you’re truly prepared before launch.
2. Accurate, research-backed insights. Personal interviews uncover perceptions that internal teams can’t always see, helping you strengthen relationships before asking for gifts.
3. Early donor engagement. The best fundraising begins with listening. Involving prospects early gives them ownership in your mission.
4. Data that drives strategy. The final feasibility report offers a detailed roadmap — financial goals, timeline, donor opportunities, and actionable recommendations — all grounded in real data.
5. A proven path forward. Organizations that complete a feasibility study enter campaigns with confidence and clear direction, increasing their chances of success dramatically.
Watch this 30-second video and hear J.F. Smith Group Jerry F. Smith summarize the importance of a feasibility study.
How J.F. Smith Group’s Proven Process Works
A J.F. Smith Group feasibility study typically takes four to five months, structured into these key phases:
1. Preparation: Working with leadership to refine goals, identify interviewees, and develop a custom questionnaire.
2. Interviews: Conducting 50–100+ personal, confidential interviews with carefully selected donors and stakeholders.
3. Analysis: Correlating data and comments through both quantitative review and human insight.
4. Recommendations: Delivering a thorough, written report (often 200+ pages) with findings and campaign strategy — presented personally to the board.
The process not only measures potential, but strengthens internal alignment, builds trust, and sets the tone for a campaign centered on partnership.
The Payoff: Strategy, Confidence, and Connection
A properly executed feasibility study lays the foundation for every successful fundraising campaign. It helps your organization move confidently from “we think we can” to “we know we’re ready.”
At the J.F. Smith Group, our motto reflects this commitment: We go with you.
From the first conversation to the solicitation to the campaign celebration, we’re beside our clients — ensuring their dreams not only look possible but are proven feasible.
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