Commonly Asked Questions

All Board members, staff, and volunteers have questions they want answered before entering into a formal professional relationship with LAWSON ASSOCIATES. These are the ten most frequently asked questions:





1. Is Fundraising Counsel Necessary?
Fundraising Counsel should be retained only if it is determined that the organization's staff is not experienced or sufficient enough to manage the Campaign. Usually an organization's staff is capable of successfully conducting the Annual Fund Campaign but not able to maintain both the annual and the proposed Capital or Endowment Campaign.

2. Why is it necessary to conduct a Feasibility Study prior to launching a Campaign?
The answer is three fold: to determine an organization's readiness to conduct a Campaign, to establish a Campaign Goal that is attainable, and to produce a Campaign Plan that will be successful. Often a Feasibility Study uncovers Pre-Campaign weaknesses that can be corrected before a Campaign is begun such as staff enlargement and training, and the need for public awareness that will insure the Campaign's success.

3. Are Fundraising Planning Studies and Strategic Plans good ideas?
The lack of planning is one of the major reasons that nonprofits fail to raise the funds they need. One of the best uses of Fundraising Counsel is to utilize the company's planning capabilities.  Fundraising Counsel brings objectivity and experience to the planning process which enhances the staff's capabilities.

4. How long will it take to complete a Campaign?
A Campaign's length is directly related to the Campaign's Goal. Campaigns with goals of up to $20 million take thirty six months with smaller goals taking fewer months proportionately. It takes up to sixty months successfully to conduct a Campaign with a goal over $20 million.

5. What role does staff have in a Campaign?
Staff is responsible for either implementing the Campaign Plan, or for coordinating the Plan's implementation activities of fundraising counsel. While being the main liaison for the Campaign with Fundraising Counsel the staff maintains the annual fund's integrity.

6. How can we identify New Major Gift Donor Prospects?
One of the main deficiencies of an organization's capabilities of successfully running
a Campaign is the lack of enough major gift donor prospects. Fundraising Counsel can fill this void by identifying new individual, foundation, and corporate major gift donor prospects.

7. What does a Campaign cost?
A successful Campaign should  cost between 5% and 10% of the Campaign's goal. These costs include the Fundraising Counsel's fee and all other Campaign expenses.

8. How do we pay for Fundraising Counsel?
Fundraising Counsel fees are a part of the costs of a campaign which also include staff expenses, travel, literature, postage and other miscellaneous Campaign expenditures. Fundraising Counsel fees are paid from funds designated for Campaign expenses and are reimbursed from Campaign funds raised. Other Fundraising Counsel fees are paid by Board members or other volunteer donors as their contribution to the Campaign.

9. Is LAWSON ASSOCIATES different from other consulting firms?
Yes. LAWSON ASSOCIATES is one of the only Fundraising Counsel firms in the world that actively participates with volunteers and staff in Major Gift Solicitations. In addition, the experience gained in over thirty-five years with thousands of significant clients is an invaluable asset that each client gains through its association with LAWSON ASSOCIATES.

10. What is the process for retaining LAWSON ASSOCIATES?
A professional relationship with LAWSON ASSOCIATES begins with an inquiry from a potential client (800-238-0004 or doug@lawsonassociates.net) and continues with a sharing of information. A time and place for interviews with Lawson staff is established and this is followed by a formal proposal from LAWSON ASSOCIATES