CFS Logo

Home > Services & Products > Congregations > Worshiping Under 500

Readiness Quiz/Tool

We would like to help you make your vision a reality. To begin the process, review the questionnaire below. This tool will help you estimate your readiness for a major capital campaign at your church. To discuss the results with a Capital Funding Services Consultant call 1-800-843-5233 any time between 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., CT, Monday through Friday.

NOTE: This instrument will produce the most meaningful results when completed by a small group that is representative of the congregation's staff, lay leaders, and parishioners.

Grade this a 7 if you have total support from your Boards. For each negative subtract a point.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Give yourself a 7 if your CASE meets a valid congregational need and reflects congregation’s mission and strategic ministry plan.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If your project demonstrates emotional and spiritual appeal, while tugging at the heart and purse strings, give yourself a 7. Evaluate whether there is a sense of urgency, relevance and spiritual benefit, and if these are lacking, lower your score accordingly.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If there is wholehearted agreement between your leaders and staff regarding the importance of the CASE and they are willing to work together to bring your project to fruition, give yourself a 7. If a sense of excitement and high expectations doesn’t exist or if some of the leaders are not enthusiastic advocates of our project, begin to deduct points. This situation is a warning sign that must be corrected or the naysayers may need to determine if they can continue to stay on the Boards of the congregation and remain effective.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Give yourself a 7 if you have identified these top 11 giving sources.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If you have at least ten people with sufficient strength, stature, influence and affluence who can and would accept campaign leadership roles, give yourself a 7.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If you reached your Annual Giving needs, give yourself a 7. If you have met your goal only last year, mark a 6. If you met your goal only the previous year, mark an 5. Anything less than that, decrease accordingly, depending on the size of the shortfall. If you do not have an annual stewardship effort for operational funds, give yourself a 1.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If you have operated within a balanced budget within the past two years, give yourself a 7. Mark your grade lower for an operating deficit.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
A general rule of thumb is that you will be able to raise 1-1/2 to 2 times the annual operating income funds in a 3 year "over & above” capital campaign. If your total capital project equals 10 times your annual giving, give yourself a 1. The lower the numerical ratio between your capital effort and your annual giving, the higher your rating.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If you have developed a carefully planned budget and have projected that after the project is completed, sufficient income will be available to support both building costs and long-term financing, give yourself a 7. If the project cannot be fully financed, lower your score accordingly. If you campaign includes funds for endowment, increase your rating.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If you have identified and listed these givers who are most likely to provide large gifts for your program, give yourself a 7.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If you have maintained a written plan to actively cultivate these sources during the past 12 months, and have made significant contact with each prospect at least twice during the year, give yourself a 7.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
There should be no campaigns in your service area being planned for the same period of time which will cause a serious conflict. If you do not anticipate a conflict, give yourself a 7.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7