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Data-Driven Feasibility Studies for Capital Campaign Success

Set your campaign up for success with Fellowship Development’s thorough, insight-led feasibility studies designed for Christian parishes, schools and other organizations.

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Steier Group By the Numbers

3.4
Billion Raised
123
Of Fundraising Goal
90
Million Raised from Foundations
50
States and Provinces Served

Faith-Filled Capital Campaign
Feasibility Studies Rooted in Research

A successful campaign starts with a strong foundation. Our feasibility studies assess the readiness of your church, school or organization to conduct a campaign through donor interviews, community surveys and leadership evaluations. With actionable insights and strategic guidance, you’ll gain the confidence to move forward.

From Uncertainty to Clarity: Why a Third-Party Feasibility Study Matters

A successful capital campaign requires more than ambition—it demands clarity, alignment and informed decision-making. That’s why many organizations turn to external consultants like the Steier Group to conduct feasibility studies. As impartial partners, we bring objectivity, structure and deep experience to help you cut through assumptions and uncover what’s truly needed to succeed. Below is our proven process that combines third-party insight with mission-driven strategy.

1. Shape the Case and Set the Message

Your case for support is more than a fundraising pitch—it’s your story, purpose and vision wrapped in clear, compelling messaging. We help you refine your campaign goals, define key themes and begin crafting collateral that connects emotionally and strategically with your audience. Every stakeholder touchpoint—from early drafts to testimonials—emerges from this foundation.

2. Identify and Engage Your Stakeholders

Every strong campaign begins with listening. We work with you to identify the internal and external voices who matter most—from major donors and board members to community leaders and longtime parishioners. Through interviews and surveys, we gather input that reveals readiness, risks and rallying points for your vision.

3. Collect Data, Context, and Donor Insights

With community input as a foundation, we dig into your donor data, giving history and relevant external sources to assess campaign viability. We bring clarity to questions like: How much can you raise? Who is likely to give? What gaps exist in support or understanding? Our analysis blends qualitative feedback with quantitative projections.

4. Assess Operational Capacity

Campaigns don’t run themselves. We review your staffing, technology, volunteer structure and fundraising experience to evaluate whether you’re operationally ready. This internal scan helps surface the investments or changes needed to deliver your campaign with excellence.

5. Interpret Findings, Align Strategy

After gathering all relevant insights, we distill your feasibility study into clear findings. You’ll see where momentum exists, where skepticism remains and how your message is landing. We’ll recommend whether to move forward, refine your approach or invest in additional preparation before launching a campaign.

6. Equip Your Team for Action

We don’t disappear once the report is delivered. Our final step includes a roadmap customized to your organization—what to do next, who should lead it and how to execute with clarity and confidence. Many clients retain our team as ongoing partners, guiding them through campaign implementation with data-backed strategy and trusted support.

What Sets Our Feasibility Studies Apart

Comprehensive Donor Interviews

We conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to understand readiness, capacity, and donor sentiment.

Clear, Actionable Recommendations

Our findings include a go/no-go recommendation and practical strategies based on real data—not guesswork.

Independent Third-Party Insights

Because we’re not embedded in your parish, we can gather candid, unbiased feedback from donors and stakeholders.

Backed by Faith-Filled Campaign Expertise

Our team specializes in Christian fundraising — and every feasibility study 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 is a feasibility study for a capital campaign?

A capital campaign feasibility study is a research-based planning process that evaluates whether your organization is ready to launch a successful fundraising campaign. It includes stakeholder interviews, data analysis, and an objective review of your fundraising goals, capacity, and community support. It is a vital first step to a campaign.

What does a feasibility study include?

A typical feasibility study includes internal readiness assessments, interviews with major donors and leaders, a review of your fundraising plan and data-driven recommendations. The goal is to test your case for support and ensure your team is prepared to meet its campaign objectives.

Why is a feasibility study important before a capital campaign?

A feasibility study helps mitigate risk by identifying gaps in donor readiness, organizational capacity, and stakeholder buy-in. It strengthens your strategy and improves your odds of success by aligning your campaign goals with actual fundraising potential. At the Steier Group, we call them campaign planning studies for a reason – they help set up the plan for a successful capital campaign.

Who should be interviewed in a campaign planning study?

Interviewees typically include major donors, board members, church leaders, school administrators, volunteers and community stakeholders. Their input provides essential feedback on your goals and the likelihood of support.

Is a feasibility study the same as a campaign planning study?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but a campaign planning study suggests a broader approach. Rather than simply answering “Can we raise the money?” it explores how to move forward strategically with your vision and campaign goals.

What happens after the feasibility study?

You’ll receive a final report with key findings and recommendations. It may suggest moving forward with your campaign as planned, adjusting your fundraising goal, or strengthening operations before launching. Many organizations continue working with their consultant for ongoing campaign support.