Build Your Campaign Gift Chart
Enter four campaign data points below to explore the gifts and prospects your campaign goal may require. Your results will update automatically once all four fields are complete. Want to take your results with you? Once you enter information into the four boxes, you will also be able to download a free two-page summary of your campaign assumptions, gift chart, major gift analysis, charts and considerations for what to explore next.
The ratio estimates how many qualified prospects you may need to secure one gift. A 3:1 ratio means planning for three prospects for every gift needed; 5:1 uses a more conservative assumption of five prospects per gift.
This Campaign Gift Chart was developed using established campaign-planning practices and tested across a range of campaign goals. It begins with a seven-level gift pyramid, with a Transformational gift at approximately 20% of the campaign goal, followed by Principal and Major Gift levels with progressively more gifts as gift size decreases.
The model initially assumes that 80% of the campaign will come from these larger gifts and 20% from Annual / Leadership Giving. Because every organization is different, the annual share can be adjusted based on what your donor base can reasonably contribute above normal annual giving. As the annual share decreases, the amount that must be raised through Transformational, Principal, and Major Gifts increases. The Major Gift Threshold and selected prospect ratio then help test whether you have sufficient qualified prospect depth to support that structure.
The model also helps identify where there may be opportunities to strengthen your campaign. Depending on what the numbers show, you may want to explore increasing giving from existing qualified Major Gift prospects where capacity and relationships support it, developing additional qualified Major Gift prospects, or growing and strengthening your overall donor base. These are not prescribed solutions, but practical areas to consider as you assess what will best support your campaign goal.
If you are not sure what comes next, or would value some support getting there, reach out. We would be happy to help you think through what the numbers mean for your organization and what to focus on next.
Add Your Organization's Context
The initial chart uses standard campaign-planning assumptions. Answer the questions below to reflect what you know about your organization. Your gift chart will update as you make your selections.
1. What role can annual giving play?
Can your annual program support 20% of this campaign goal while protecting your existing annual giving?
If you are unsure, review giving history, previous special-project gifts, recent increases, donor consistency, and evidence of stretch capacity.
2. Do you have sufficient major gift depth?
Based on this gift structure, can you identify enough qualified major gift prospects?
Your Campaign Snapshot
Campaign Goal
Transformational / Principal / Major Requirement
Annual / Leadership Requirement
Suggested Major Gifts Required
Qualified Major Gift Prospects Required
Your Campaign Gift Chart
| Giving Level | % of Goal | Dollar Amount | # Gifts Needed | # Qualified Prospects | Avg Gift per Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 100% | — |
Major Gift Details from Your Information
Transformational Gift
Suggested Major Gifts Required
Qualified Major Gift Prospects Required
Average Additional Campaign Contribution per Donor
What the Numbers Look Like
Dollars Raised by Giving Tier
Major Gifts Needed
Transformational / Principal / Major vs. Annual / Leadership Campaign Revenue
What to Focus on Next
Your answers identify where stronger evidence or additional information may be useful before you continue. Your downloadable report reflects your responses and highlights what to focus on next.
The gift chart is a planning approximation. It does not replace a feasibility study or determine whether you should launch.
Start where you are.
Every organization starts from a different place. AdvanceU meets you there. You can use our free tools to explore the questions yourself, bring the right people together through a facilitated in-service, or work with us more deeply to research, build and implement what comes next.