The Perfect Campaign: A Guide to Relationship Based Fundraising and Quality Decisions

What if you considered shattering the 'old school' model of capital campaigns? What if another approach brought greater success, not only to the campaign, but also to growth in operational funding? Can you afford not to consider it? The Perfect Campaign introduces a new and innovative framework to grow both capital and operational funding for any nonprofit. Schuyler Lehman’s casual, approachable writing style is inviting and conversational, providing invaluable best practices that apply equally well to young organizations wanting to launch a major gifts initiative, as well as established development offices looking for a new, innovative approach to donor relationships. Divided into three sections, The Perfect Campaign is designed to meet you and your organization where you are. Section one focuses on the philosophy behind Schuyler's fresh and innovative approach to relationship-based fundraising. It is here that you can learn how to create foundational change and effectively implement or grow an intentional relationship-based major gifts strategy. Section two articulates the Perfect Campaign model from beginning to end. The actions presented will completely reframe your paradigm on capital campaign fundraising, from planning to goal celebration. The third and final section dives into best practices around identifying and engaging effective volunteer leadership, engaging a nonprofit board, and avoiding the most common errors that plague the majority of nonprofit development offices. Take the journey with Schuyler through a book that captures over 30 years of his personal story in fundraising and in life, leading to his heartfelt passion for creating deep, trusting donor relationships that ultimately result in transformational giving.

Serving as a fundraising consultant since 1983, Schuyler has helped raise billions of dollars for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. He has personally conducted over 50 major capital and endowment campaigns on a local, regional, national, and international level. Schuyler has provided consultation and advice to thousands of nonprofits throughout the U.S. and Canada for capital campaigns, annual funding and strategic development planning. He enjoys conducting board retreats, developing strategic funding plans, training volunteers, and presenting at professional conferences. A self-proclaimed "relational purist," Schuyler created Mission Advancement Professionals (MAP) to serve the operational and capital funding needs of organizations around the country with his philosophy that building deep and trusting relationships with potential funders will always create the best experience and results for both the nonprofit organization, as well as the individual donor. Schuyler lives in McKinney, Texas with his wife, Jennifer, and their 4 children.