A chart that identifies the projected number of gifts needed and at what gift size is shown
below. As noted above, the leadership gift phase is critical to a campaign’s success.
Several lead gifts secured will get the campaign to a positive tipping point in which other
donors, those that were highly enthusiastic about a performing arts center but felt less
sure about its chances for success, are highly likely to step in.
phase not only completes the campaign, but also strengthens the organizations
relationship with its donors and volunteers.
The Nashua Performing Arts Center strategy to raise $2.5 million through private
contributions toward the total $6.5 million secured will be slightly different, simply
because the effort is already so much in the public eye.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GIFT SOURCES
The projected breakdown of the sources of funding through this $2.5 million capital
campaign are:
PROJECTED SOURCES OF CAPITAL
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN STRATEGY
A capital campaign is defined as an effort to secure charitable contributions from donors
in support of a nonprofit organization that is embarking on a large and important project
that will be a great leap forward for the organization. This is different than an annual
fund, in which a nonprofit asks donors to support the costs of its annual operating budget
so that it may deliver programs and services.
“| love the thought of the vitality this could bring.”
“This would be positive for our business without question. The most recent Stay Work
Play survey highlights that young employees feel there is nothing to do in NH.”
“This will make downtown Nashua vibrant.”
“It will be a community and regional attraction. It could help strengthen the arts in
Nashua. It’s a very positive thing for this city.”
“This will bring people to downtown and keep people (and their money) in the
community. It will be so easy for people to get to.”
e 10% are firmly opposed to the project as it is and/or opposed to City investment in
the project.
e 14% said they would be part of the capital campaign committee and 19% will
strongly consider it.
e 82% of respondents said that the project justifies a capital campaign.
All interviewees were asked to rate (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest) the
perception of the importance of the Performing Arts Center to Nashua, its economy, and
its employers.
Those that answered these questions rated the:
non-profit moves out of the start-up phase of its development, it could take over the
staffing of day-to-day operations.
That specific plans for the operational structure of the Performing Arts Center have
evolved does not impact this study's assessment of the overall perception about the
Performing Arts Center and a capital campaign to support it. The key points of the
mission and the fact that the City of Nashua is not involved in the day-to-day operations
have remained the same.
FACTORS IN A SUCCESSFUL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
A stipulation of the approved advisory question is that private-sector funding be used to
create a $4 million endowment to ensure long-term sustainability for the Performing Arts
Center.
PROPOSED ENDOWMENT FUND
Members of this work group identified people who are capable of supporting a capital
campaign for the Performing Arts Center including community leaders, business leaders,
people involved in the arts, and people interested in the economic development of
downtown. Of this list, 25 individuals were selected to be interviewed as part of this study.
REPORT SUMMARY
The campaign committee work group of the Performing
Arts Center Steering Committee has a high level of
confidence in securing approximately $6.5 million in
private sector funding: $4 million in private sector funding
to serve as an endowment and $2.5 million to support
construction and fit up of the Performing Arts Center.
Projected sources of private sector funding are:
Approximately $4 million - Proceeds of the sale of New
Market Tax Credits to private businesses
