CFP CFP Major Gifts & Capital Campaigns 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a lead gift in a capital campaign?
- The first public donation announced
- A large early gift, typically 10–20% of the campaign goal, that sets the standard for giving (Correct answer)
- A gift from a board member
- A matching gift challenge
Correct answer: A large early gift, typically 10–20% of the campaign goal, that sets the standard for giving
A lead gift is a transformational early commitment that demonstrates feasibility and inspires other major donors to give at high levels.
Question 2: In major gift fundraising, what does 'capacity rating' mean?
- The number of donors an officer can manage
- An estimate of how much a prospect is financially able to give (Correct answer)
- The rating of a nonprofit's infrastructure
- The maximum size of a matching gift
Correct answer: An estimate of how much a prospect is financially able to give
Capacity rating uses wealth screening and research to estimate the maximum philanthropic potential of a prospective major donor.
Question 3: Which tool is most commonly used to research a prospect's real estate holdings to estimate giving capacity?
- Social media profiles
- IRS Form 990
- County property tax records (Correct answer)
- Annual reports
Correct answer: County property tax records
County property tax records are publicly available and provide reliable data on real estate values used in prospect wealth screening.
Question 4: What is a gift table (or gift range chart) used for in campaign planning?
- Tracking donor contact history
- Projecting the number of gifts needed at each level to reach the campaign goal (Correct answer)
- Scheduling donor stewardship events
- Reporting campaign progress to the board
Correct answer: Projecting the number of gifts needed at each level to reach the campaign goal
A gift range chart maps out the number and size of gifts required at each level to mathematically achieve the campaign total.
Question 5: What is the best indicator that a prospect is ready to be solicited for a major gift?
- They have attended one organizational event
- They have demonstrated capacity, interest, and engagement through cultivation (Correct answer)
- They are a first-time donor
- They have requested to be removed from the mailing list
Correct answer: They have demonstrated capacity, interest, and engagement through cultivation
A prospect is ready to be asked when they have shown financial capacity, genuine interest in the mission, and sufficient involvement through cultivation activities.
Question 6: What is a 'blended gift' in major gift fundraising?
- A gift split between two nonprofits
- A combination of an outright gift and a planned gift commitment from the same donor (Correct answer)
- A corporate matching gift
- A group gift from multiple donors
Correct answer: A combination of an outright gift and a planned gift commitment from the same donor
A blended gift combines an immediate outright contribution with a deferred planned giving commitment, maximizing both the donor's impact and the organization's benefit.
CFP CFP Major Gifts & Capital Campaigns 2
What is a lead gift in a capital campaign?