Story-Driven Communications for Capital Campaign Success

Sharing your organization’s unique story is key to a successful Christian capital campaign. Fellowship Development’s expert team will write and design communication materials you’ll be proud to share with your community.

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Steier Group By the Numbers

3.4

Billion Raised

123

Of Fundraising Goal

Million Raised from Foundations

States and Provinces Served

Capital Campaign Communications Rooted in Faith

Our team approach to capital campaigns shines through our communications. No need to deal with third-party designers or a writer who doesn’t understand the Christian Church. Our expert team of communicators will share your story in well-written and professionally-designed communication pieces throughout the feasibility study and capital campaign. We know Christian organizations and how to communicate with your congregations.

Communicating with your supporters

Fundraising success requires more than just asking your donors for additional support. You must provide them with the inspiration to support the campaign. During the feasibility study, we gather information from donors on what goals they support and how best to reach them. That information informs the campaign communications strategy. Below are some thoughts on the importance of communications in fundraising and strategies for effectively sharing your story with your community.

1. Share the why behind your campaign

Your donors already support the work that you are doing and see value in your mission. But a capital campaign asks them to increase their generosity to an extraordinary level. Some may be on board immediately while others take convincing. A well-designed, customized campaign communications strategy should reach donors through a variety of channels and educate them on the why – why they should support the campaign. Picking popular goals and focusing your messaging on the value of those goals leads to success.

2. 8-to-1 communication method

At Fellowship Development, we follow the 8-to-1 communication method. For every time you ask for fundraising support, you should be sending eight other communication pieces that engage your supporters without actually asking for a donation. This is especially vital during a Christian capital campaign as you don’t want your donors to feel the fatigue of an ask for larger support. They already tithe weekly. So it is important to be mindful of that when communicating during a campaign.

3. Tell your organization’s story

You are doing great work. Feel free to brag a little! Donors love to see that their support is having an impact in the community. Make sure to consistently share your organization’s story before, during and after a campaign. Share the little wins and big successes. Share the struggles and challenges you face. Show how each donation makes a difference. It will inspire more generosity.

4. Be professional

It is important that your communications are well written and well designed. Each time you contact a donor is a chance to make a good – or bad – impression. So don’t turn off a supporter with poorly constructed communications. Make sure everything is copy edited and designed to the best of your abilities. At Fellowship Development, our team of experienced communicators and designers create materials worth sharing with your community.

5. Consistency is key

As mentioned above, following the 8-to-1 communication plan allows you to educate your supporters without annoying them with too many appeals for donations. A key to keeping the ratio is consistent communication. If you don’t have a communications strategy for the month or the year, create one. Without a plan, it can be easy to let communications slow. Being a consistent presence in a donors life helps keep you front of mind when it comes time to make a donation.

What Sets Our Communications Apart

Expert communicators crafting your story

The Fellowship Development team includes former journalists, lawyers and marketers trained in telling your organization’s story to effectively inspire your donors to give.

Professionally designed materials

Our award-winning team of graphic designers are ready to make all of your campaign’s communications and printed materials stand out from the crowd.

Array of communications

We don’t create a case statement and call it good. Our team will work with you to reach your donors through multiple channels, including video, social media, email and print communications. If your donors are there, we want to be there as well.

Backed by Faith-Filled Campaign Expertise

Our team specializes in Christian fundraising — and every communication is designed to reflect your mission and values.

Named one of the “Best Fundraising Companies in 2025” by The Lead Pastor

What people are saying about partnering with Fellowship Development

“Most importantly, and distinct from the other firms we considered, the Steier representative was in town, on-site, and personally available for weeks, not one or two, as the campaign was developed and begun. As the campaign went on, our Steier representative came back for visits as well as other personnel from their home base. The services they provided were personally delivered.”

Rev. Dr. Bradley R. Stoltenow

Senior Pastor, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church – Centennial, Colorado

“Where we benefitted most from our partnership was in the design and grant writing processes, along with the organization of our donor outreach efforts. There was never a time throughout this journey where we felt lost or misguided. In fact, the opposite was true – we felt overwhelmingly prepared to tackle this fundraising effort from the get-go.”

Pastor Matt Schulte

Executive Director, Youth for Christ – Lincoln, Nebraska

“Our on-site campaign manager implemented a capital campaign that helped us garner support from the entire Norfolk community, including members of the Christ Lutheran congregation, school parents, alumni, members of the other LCMS churches in the area and local businesses. He fit in well with our staff and volunteers and he truly cared about our project. He kept us on track the entire way … making our 20-year-old dream a reality.

In addition to our on-site campaign manager, the support we got from the entire team was outstanding. The graphic artist did a beautiful job of designing our campaign materials, including our signature piece, the campaign case statement. A grant writer identified multiple foundations and helped us approach them for support.”

Drew Urban

Principal, Christ Lutheran School – Norfolk, Nebraska

“The experience was transformative for our cathedral community. Not only did we raise the most money that we’ve ever raised for a single project in our 163 year history, but we emerged with more energy and enthusiasm for the future, grew closer to one another, and learned deeper ways to trust our lives, and our life together, to God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s power. It also has helped deepen our spirituality around stewardship, and is moving us toward a healthier and more robust culture of giving, which is grounded in an experience of God’s abundance.

I agreed to write this letter to help introduce the Steier Group to Episcopal churches because I care deeply about the future of our tradition, and I believe the Steier Group can be an important partner in helping us to be faithful stewards of all that we have been entrusted with as Episcopalians, and strengthening our life together and our witness to the good news of Jesus Christ in the world.”

The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya

Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, former Dean of Trinity Cathedral – Omaha, Nebraska

Connect with us today! Tell us about your organization’s vision, goals and funding needs. Let us design a plan that helps you achieve your goals and advance your mission.

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How can Fellowship Development assist you?

Connect with us today! Tell us about your organization’s vision, goals and funding needs. Let us design a plan that helps you achieve your goals and advance your mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of communications are used during a feasibility study?

During a feasibility study, our team will craft a fact sheet that shares the goals you are testing. We’ll conduct in-person interviews and paper/online surveys to hear from as many donors as possible. During the study, we will keep donors informed through various communication channels of the progress of the feasibility study.

Why types of communications are used during a capital campaign?

One benefit of a feasibility study is that we can ask donors how best to reach them. During the capital campaign, we use this information to tailor our communications to the channels most likely to reach your supporters. We’ll make sure to use all of the channels you use on a consistent basis.

What role do communications play in a capital campaign?

Without properly communicating the scope of the campaign and the goals donors are being asked to support, a campaign will not succeed. That why well-designed, professional communications are so important. It is important to share your story and the reasons for a campaign in order to inspire generosity.