Communicating Campaign 'State of the Union' to key Stakeholders

An important element when designing the successful Project, Endowment or Capital Campaign (typically in the $1M to $300M range), is the STATE of the UNION communique.

Clemons developed this simple but tactical tool with none other than oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens in 2002 surrounding the $300M NEXT LEVEL campaign. The State of the Union communique was used to regularly update key stakeholders to include Regents, University Officials, Campaign Committee, key staff members and volunteers. Given the popularity of this campaign tool, the Clemons-Associates team has customized and applied the STATE of the UNION element for our last 35+ clients. Let's look at sample sequential elements within the STATE of the UNION:

FIRST - BRAND ID

The benefit of hiring a campaign consultant is that the agreed-upon campaign brand identity is professionally threaded through ALL campaign elements. This includes the website, .PPT presentation, foldering system, pledge card and more.

SECOND - FINANCIAL UPDATE

Unsurprisingly, stakeholders first seek insights into the campaigns's funding progress relative to the campaign's goal. Funding updates accomplish several things: a) helps solicitors know new figures so as to educate prospective donors; b) inspires campaign committee members; c) inspires staff and volunteers; d) aligns the CFOs bookkeeping with outside parties; e) helps executives answer "what have we raised thus far?"

STATE OF THE CAMPAIGN

Formatted by Clemons-Associates; OKCNP Development Team

Campaign Updates as of 1/1/2023

Campaign Goal: $10,500,000
Campaign/Building Expenses as of July 31: $483,692
Current Building Debt: $790,000.00

Campaign Gifts/Pledges secured thus far: $9,441,518

Foundations: $6,310,000
Corporations: $1,327,000
Individuals: $2,803,638

THIRD - PROSPECT PIPELINE

Stakeholders enjoy seeing which prospective donors are 'tee'd up' for a solicitation in the near future.

Gift Pipeline

Mabry Family Foundation; American Fidelity, Paycom, Canolope Family Philanthropies, Love’s, Cherokee Nation, Express Employment International, John Jones Foundation, Pam E. Martin Foundation, Arvest Bank, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Stride Bank, JP Morgan, Chesapeake Energy, Bank of America, Citibank Corporations

FOURTH - NAMING RIGHTS SECURED

Stakeholders -- especially Board, Campaign Committee Members and staff -- should stay apprised of which Naming Opportunities have been secured by Individuals, Corporations, Family Foundations, etc.

Naming Rights Secured

The Chickasaw Nation- Member Co-Working Space
Cox Communications: Data Services Room
Cresap Family Foundation: Collaboration Hub
Devon Energy: Board Room
E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation: OKCNP Lobby
LaDonna and Herman Meinders: OKCNP Courtyard
Polly and Larry Nichols: Legacy Wall

FIFTH - UPCOMING APPOINTMENTS

Stakeholders -- including Board, Campaign Committee Members and staff -- should stay apprised of which meetings are set on the master calendar; which advocates, ambassadors and prospective donors will be visited by a campaign representative.

Upcoming Appointments

Jan 12: Building tour with Jane and Jimmy Johnson

Jan 14: Building tour with Mark Maxwell

Jan 15: meetings with Tyler Murray

Jan 16: Meeting with BOK Financial

TBD: Devon Energy

TBD: Mary Williamson

TBD: Choctaw Nation and Muskogee Nation (dates held)

SIXTH - MILESTONES

Stakeholders -- including Board, Campaign Committee Members and staff -- should be reminded (and inspired, energized...) through the communication of milestones associated with the organization and the campaign.

Milestones and Upcoming Events

• December 1 – June 1 – Silent Phase of Capital Campaign

December 2022 – Campaign Launch
January 2023 – December of 2023 – Campaign Continues
April 2023 – Architectural Associates begins Design Development Plans
October 2023 – Planned Groundbreaking Ceremony
October 2023 – Construction Planned to Begin
March 2024 – Planned Ribbon Cutting and Open House

IMPERATIVES:

Ensure the communique is branded (official campaign brand ID)
Ensure your organization is reconciling and sharing key financial information
Ensure your campaign team has identified, qualified prospective donors
Ensure your organization is tracking/sharing all secured NAMING RIGHTS
Ensure campaign team is informed on the schedule of upcoming appointments
Ensure campaign team is reminded of milestones, achievements, awards

Bottom line: The STATE of the UNION is a great tool to enlighten Board, Committee Members, staff and volunteers. A campaign is dynamic and multi-faceted and the campaign team should have its key points succinctly 'bullet pointed' to capture the scope, scale and progress of the campaign. And importantly, a STATE of the UNION communication can 'fill in the gaps' between campaign meetings. If soliciting a prospective campaign committee member (volunteer), a draft or mock up of this communication tool helps deliver the promise that the individual will stay updated on all campaign development and ongoing results.

Craig Clemons with Friend, Philanthropist and President/Founder/Board Chairman of Express Employment Professionals, Bob Funk, Sr.

Seeking expert assistance from seasoned professionals?

Contact Craig Clemons at craig@clemons-associates.com or one of our rock star associates for more details. Clemons & Associates is on standby to help you with brand identity, strategic messaging, campaigns, digital assets and programs/projects.