Clubhouse Chat Recap: Nonprofit Feasibility Studies
Our weekly Wednesday 9am MT / 11am ET Clubhouse chats are a space for deep conversations on nonprofit strategy and fundraising. This week, we explored the importance of nonprofit feasibility studies—how they can shape campaign direction, test donor readiness, and build early stakeholder trust. If you’re heading into a capital or major fundraising campaign, a feasibility study can be the critical first step toward success.
1. It’s About More Than Just a Goal
Nonprofit feasibility studies reveal much more than whether your fundraising goal is realistic. Feedback gathered through these interviews and surveys can uncover critical insights about your organization’s:
Programming and service delivery
Internal structure and team alignment
Vision, values, and community perception
Leadership strengths or gaps
Use this opportunity to see your organization through the eyes of your stakeholders.
2. Data, Data, Data!
A feasibility study is the perfect time to clean up—or create—your donor database. No nonprofit is ready to expand without an organized system for tracking:
Donor history and interests
Engagement with leadership
Support of similar organizations
Past giving patterns
Solid data is the backbone of smart strategy.
3. Follow Up with Purpose
No matter the outcome of your nonprofit feasibility study, it’s crucial to follow up with participants and invitees. Send a short, 1–2 page executive summary that includes:
Key themes and takeaways
What the organization plans to do next
A clear call to action (CTA)
This keeps the momentum going and opens the door for deeper cultivation.
4. Rethink the Vernacular
Sometimes, the term “feasibility study” doesn’t resonate with every organization or stakeholder. Don’t hesitate to reframe it with alternative language like:
Program analysis
Planning period
Organizational health check
Donor engagement survey
Call it what works—what matters is doing the work.
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