Capital Campaign Services
We are experienced with all phases of capital campaigns including training campaign staff and volunteers to become successful major donor solicitors. Maria Gitin has served on the Tides Foundation Community Clinics Initiative core technical assistance and training team for four years. She was a keynote and Capital Campaign workshop presenter at the Tides Major Capital Gifts seminar for three years.

Tides Foundation Community Clinic Initiative grantees ranked Maria Gitin's workshops on "Using Capital Campaigns to Build Capacity" #1 among those presented at the Major Capital Gifts statewide seminars in both 2005 and 2006.

Maria came to our capital campaign mid-stream, stepping in and hitting the ground running when our campaign director became ill. She provided much needed leadership and perspective to our diverse team. Maria helped us realize the importance of growing the campaign team; as a result of her training we now have a solid group of dedicated volunteers who are committed to our campaign's success, and the long-term success of the partnership organization. - Kimberly Bender, Campaign Director, Bolinas Community Firehouse & Clinic Capital Campaign

We met Maria through the Tides Foundation Capital Campaign training and were impressed with her health center campaign experience. She jumped in to help us prepare our capital campaign plan and trained our team to prospect and cultivate donors. She understood the constraints of our rural community and our budget. Maria helped us produce a workable plan and high impact brochure under budget and on time. She respected our expertise and didn't over-consult us. - Lynn Dorroh, Executive Director, Hill Country Community Clinic

You have been an immense help to this campaign...the efforts of the Committee represent a very significant civic accomplishment, and you own a good portion of the credit. I personally have gotten much out of your participation: new insights to capital campaigns, great banter and dialogue at our workshops, and the benefits of supporting the volunteer efforts spawned by your instruction, credibility and encouragement. - Pat Cannon, Consultant, Marina Larger Library Campaign.

Overview of Capital Campaign Services
There are three primary phases to capital campaigns:

  I. Assessment
 II. Planning and Training
III. Implementation / Campaign Direction

Phase I. Campaign Assessments (Feasibility Studies)
A campaign assessment (feasibility study) is essential to determine how much money is available from each source in order to set achievable goals and time frames. We perform studies, lead decision-making processes and draft plans for achieving campaign goals.

We focus on concrete funding potential, an analysis of the opportunities and challenges of the proposed campaign, leadership structure, staffing and training, and commitment to a realistic campaign goal.

Phase II. Campaign Plans & Training
Planning and training sessions with key leaders plus our expertise results in a comprehensive Campaign Plan that include timelines, checklists of needed materials and personnel, and proposed budgets.

Representative Training Sessions
  • Capital Campaigns 101 or 201
  • Campaign Leadership and Recruitment
  • Naming & Recognition Policy
  • Prospect & Cultivation Training
  • Solicitation Training: The Major Donor Ask

    • [more about our Training Services]

Phase III: Campaign Direction and Implementation
We can provide campaign direction and implementation services to suit client needs ranging from full service Campaign Counsel to on an as-needed, retainer basis and through coaching staff and campaign chairs.

Campaign Direction Services
  • Campaign Counsel
  • Coach on-site consultants, project managers and staff
  • Advise staff and volunteers on Capital Campaign Readiness
  • Develop or edit written materials- case statements, solicitation letters, and brochures
  • Develop or review and edit proposals for foundation, corporate, and individual grants
  • Train leadership in major gift solicitation and other essential campaign skills
  • Advise on specific major donor strategies, tracking and acknowledgment
  • Accompany staff and volunteers on limited "asks" where our expertise is needed
  • Advise on special events and other activities to support the campaign
  • Assist in searches for development staff positions and campaign managers
Representative Capital Campaign Clients
Coastal Health AllianceMarin County, CA
Served as capital campaign consultant and board/staff trainer on major gift and community based fundraising portion of $5.3 combined firehouse and FQHC primary care clinic campaign for three site rural health center group.

Congregation Beth Israel, Carmel, CA
Directed campaign to successfully raise funds to build new synagogue. Raised 50% of goal in first five weeks.

Gardner (Gardner Family Health Network & Gardner Family Care Corporation), Santa Clara County, CA
Conducted fund development assessment and developed fundraising and capital campaign plans for $41 million annual budget bilingual, multicultural health care affiliate for three years.

Hill Country Community Clinic, Shasta County, CA
Provided training and consulting services including prospecting and campaign collateral development for a $3 million rural, 'green building' holistic and traditional health center capital campaign.

Marina Larger Library Committee, Marina, CA
Training and planning for community based portion of major capital campaign over a period of four years.

Mount Madonna School, Watsonville, CA
Performed capital Campaign Assessment, provided training and facilitated campaign plan development for $6 million Campus Fund Campaign that combined capital and annual funding for independent school.

San Lorenzo Valley Pool Project, Felton, CA
Performed campaign assessment and led training for successful $2 million community pool project.

Santa Cruz Women's Health Center, CA
Two extensive consultations including assessments, planning and training for two successful $1 + million capital campaigns.

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel, CA
In depth capital campaign assessment, training and planning sessions for $3.8 million renovation campaign.

Yu-Ai Kai Japanese American Senior Center, San Jose, CA
Campaign consultation, training and coaching on $1.5 million renovation and acquisition capital campaign with strong board leadership.

Zen Center of Santa Cruz, CA
Consulted on $750,000 capital campaign to purchase and renovate historic buildings and grounds of small zendo affiliated with San Francisco Zen Center.