Chamber of Commerce Capital Campaigns

A chamber of commerce capital campaign is a fundraising effort that chambers of commerce use to raise money for a specific project or goal.

These campaigns can take many different forms, but they typically involve businesses and individuals donating money to the chamber.

There are many benefits to participating in a chamber of commerce capital campaign.

For businesses, it is a great way to support their local community and get their name in front of a wider audience. It can also help to build relationships with other businesses in the community.

For individuals, it is a way to give back to the community and support the chamber's mission of promoting economic development and business growth.

Here are some of the most common types of chamber of commerce capital campaigns:

• Building projects: Chambers of commerce may need to raise money to build a new headquarters or renovate their existing space.
• Programs and services: Chambers of commerce may need to raise money to fund new programs and services, such as business education, networking events, or advocacy efforts.
• Scholarships: Chambers of commerce may need to raise money to fund scholarships for students pursuing business degrees.
• Marketing and advertising: Chambers of commerce may need to raise money to fund marketing and advertising campaigns to promote the community to businesses and tourists.

For your members, these are the things they might be considering when possibly participating in your capital campaign:

• The project or goal: What is the chamber hoping to achieve with the capital campaign? Do they believe in the project or goal?
• The budget: Chamber capital campaigns can range in cost from a few hundred thousand dollars to several million dollars. It is important to choose a campaign that fits their budget.
• Their goals: What do they hope to achieve by participating in the campaign? Do they want to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or build relationships with other businesses?
• The chamber's mission: It's important that the chamber's mission aligns with their own values and goals.

When conducting a capital campaign, communicate your goals and promote those members who have contributed in your communication vehicles.  That will draw more support!

Tips for Conducting an Effective Lapsed Mailing Campaign

When was the last time you conducted a lapsed mailing campaign?

I am a big fan of lapsed mailing campaigns.  They are your hottest leads.  Remember, they were members, it's important to find out why they dropped and get them back on board.

I've worked at two different organizations where one conducted four campaigns a year and the other every month, lapsed members got a solicitation.

Here are some tips for conducting an effective lapsed mailing campaign:

• Start with a clean list. Make sure your list of lapsed members is accurate and up-to-date. You can use a variety of methods to clean your list, such as removing duplicate records, updating addresses, and removing deceased members.
• Personalize your mailing. Lapsed members are more likely to respond to a mailing that is personalized to them. Use their name, address, and any other relevant information in your mailing.
• Offer a compelling incentive. Lapsed members are more likely to renew their membership if they have a compelling reason to do so. Offer them a discount, a free gift, or early access to events.
• Make it easy to renew. Make it easy for lapsed members to renew their membership. Include a clear call to action and a simple way to renew, such as a website address or a phone number.
• Follow up. Don't just send one mailing and hope for the best. Follow up with lapsed members who don't renew their membership right away. You can send them a reminder mailing or give them a call.

Here are some additional tips for conducting an effective lapsed mailing campaign:

• Use targeted messaging. Tailor your messaging to the specific reasons why lapsed members stopped renewing their membership. For example, if they stopped renewing because they were no longer interested in your organization's content, you could offer them a free trial of your premium content.
• Be patient. It may take time to re-engage lapsed members. Don't give up if you don't see results immediately. Keep following up with them and eventually you will start to see some success.
• Be creative. There are many ways to reach lapsed members. Get creative and think outside the box to find ways to re-engage them.

I hope these tips help you conduct your next effective lapsed mailing campaign!