Capital Campaign Guide for Small Churches

A capital campaign should begin with a defined ministry opportunity, a realistic picture of the church’s capacity, and a process people can understand. This 16-page planning workbook helps a small-church board, pastor, or campaign team move from an initial idea to an orderly launch and follow-through.

Inside the workbook

• Project-scope, readiness, roles, and case-statement decision tools
• Financial-picture, timeline, invitation, commitment, and communication worksheets
• Question-handling, ethics, donor-record, and post-campaign follow-through prompts
• Board-readiness check and launch checklist

Use it with your church’s process

Work through the readiness questions before inviting commitments, assign clear responsibilities, and adapt the worksheets to your bylaws, financial controls, denominational expectations, and local context. The guide is designed to make the next conversation concrete; it does not promise a fundraising result.

Important: This is educational planning material, not tax, legal, accounting, investment, construction, fundraising-regulation, or professional fundraising advice. Use your governing documents and qualified local advice before making campaign, borrowing, construction, or donor-record decisions.

Related planning tools

For the broader annual rhythm around a campaign, pair this workbook with the Church Annual Planning Kit and browse Church Leadership resources for additional small-church governance tools.

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