Choosing the ideal campaign chair is a pivotal decision for any organization embarking on a fundraising campaign. This individual (or individuals, if necessary) plays a crucial role in setting the tone, guiding strategy, mobilizing resources, and ensuring the fundraising effort’s success. Based on our decades of campaign management experience, the team at Lindsay Simonds Consulting (LSC) understands the significance of the Campaign Chair and offers the following insights to help you navigate the selection process effectively.

Timing 

Do 

Conduct Comprehensive Due Diligence: Before selecting your campaign chair, take the time to conduct thorough research and assessment of potential candidates. Look beyond surface qualifications to evaluate their connections, advocacy skills, and personal attributes such as courage, commitment, and curiosity. Yes, your campaign chair should be in a position to make a personally significant gift to the campaign, but they will also need to inspire others to stretch and, perhaps, make their biggest gift to your organization yet. To help identify who might be a good campaign chair candidate, be sure to include this question in your feasibility study conversations – ask others who they think would make a great campaign chair for new insights and meaningful buy-in. 

Don’t 

Rush the Recruitment Process: Resist the temptation to select a campaign chair too early in the process. The volunteer leaders on a campaign establish the atmosphere of the campaign, and it’s important to make the right choice. If you make your selection before the feasibility study, you’re likely not looking at every potential candidate. Furthermore, don’t assume that your board chair should or will serve as the campaign chair. In most cases, you will want to look beyond your board leadership to identify someone who has the leadership qualities of a board chair but isn’t in that position. The time commitment to a campaign is real, and you don’t want to overtax your board chair who is likely already investing a great deal of time toward your organization.

Engagement

Do 

Engage Candidates in Planning: Involve potential chairs in the planning process and be sure to treat them as an important partner throughout the campaign. Engaging them in the beginning ensures that they have a clear understanding of the campaign goals, and provides them with a level of ownership so that they can contribute meaningfully to the success of the campaign. Remember, your campaign chair will provide important and valuable external validation, and their early involvement will provide them with the confidence to speak authoritatively (and passionately) about the campaign’s goal(s). 

Don’t 

Underestimate the Challenges: Be realistic about the challenges and risks involved in leading a campaign. Discuss these openly with potential chairs and ensure that they are fully aware of your confidence in their ability to lead the campaign. 

Benefits  

Do 

Communicate Benefits Clearly: Articulate the benefits of serving as a campaign chair, such as increased visibility, leadership development opportunities, networking prospects, and the chance to make a significant impact on the organization’s mission in a very unique way. 

Don’t 

Neglect the needs of a potential chair. Acknowledge that leadership takes time and energy. Make sure to always communicate gratitude to your volunteers. 

Support  

Do 

Provide Robust Support: Assure potential chairs that they will receive comprehensive support from staff members, including assistance with drafting materials, managing communication, and preparing for public events. Additionally, clearly communicate the plan and timeline so that the campaign chair can be prepared to support the organization’s other volunteers (e.g. campaign cabinet, board of directors, etc.).

Don’t 

Neglect Staffing Needs: Ensure that your organization is adequately staffed to support the campaign chair effectively. Provide resources and assistance for the chair in order to alleviate any potential burdens and maximize their chances of success.

As you embark on your journey to recruit the best campaign chair for your organization, remember that guidance from experienced professionals can make all the difference. At LSC, we bring decades of expertise in managing successful fundraising campaigns. Our tailored approach and hands-on management ensure that your campaign receives the strategic direction it needs for transformative results.

Are you ready to take your campaign to the next level?

Schedule a time to discuss how we can support your organization’s fundraising goals. Let’s collaborate to make your campaign a resounding success!

This article was written collaboratively by the team at LSC.