What is a Feasibility Study?

What?

A selected cross section of the congregation is interviewed to determine their knowledge of the proposed project, their questions and/or concerns about the project in particular and the church in general, and their willingness to financially support the proposed project. The interviews are confidential. The consultant will a report that will help the congregation to determine whether to proceed with the proposed project. The report will also indicate an achievable financial goal for the capital campaign.

Why?

A Feasibility Study answers questions that must be determined before launching a capital campaign. It identifies issues that must be resolved. It provides critical information about the attitudes of the congregation. It indicates the general health of the church and its ministry. And finally, it gives an accurate picture of the congregation 's willingness to financially support the proposed project.  Specifically the feasibility study address these areas:

• What conditions are essential to a successful campaign in the church community?
• How much money realistically can be raised?
• Will the church community support a drive that fulfills the goals of the proposed plans?
• When should the campaign begin, and how long should it last?
• What volunteer leadership is available to head the campaign

How?

An external consultant works with the church leadership to carefully identify a cross section of the congregation. The consultant conducts confidential interviews with approximately ten percent of the congregation. Each interviewee responds to a series of questions developed by the church leadership and the consultant. Those not interviewed may also participate by providing written answers to the questionnaire.  The following will be interviewed personally:

• Opinion leaders
• Persons whose support will be essential for success
• Persons you think may have the capacity to make a significant gift
• Persons who think they should be interviewed.

An Outsider?

An external consultant provides an objective set of eyes and ears. Because of this objectivity, and because of the confidential nature of the process, s/he can elicit direct and honest answers to questions. The external consultant will be perceived as an "honest broker " and will be able to obtain a wealth of direct and useful information.

Sample questions included in a feasibility study.

1. Tell me about your involvement in the congregation
   How long?
   What kind of ministries and activities are you involved in?
   
2.  Describe the image of this congregation
   What do persons who are not members have to say about it.
   
3. Describe the strengths of this congregation.
   
4. What do you think are its weaknesses?
   
5. Describe the leadership of the congregation, both lay and ordained.
   
6.  The vestry/Bishop’s committee are considering __________________.
   Are you aware of that project?
   What do you know about it?
   
7.  In order to do this, the vestry/Bishop’s committee is considering a capital campaign with a goal of $__________. Do you think that is a reachable goal?
   
8. Would you support this project financially?
   
9. Please look at this list and indicate the amount that you think your family would be willing and able to give over a (3-5) year period. Your response will not be considered as a pledge or commitment on your part and your answer will be held in confidence Your response is important in helping us to make a more accurate estimate of the giving capacity of the congregation. This is very important for the vestry/bishop’s committee in making the final decisions about how to proceed. (For this question, a separate piece of paper is used with a list of amounts taken from the chart of gifts developed for the campaign.  Interviewees simply circle one of them.)
   
10. Who do you think would make a good chair of a capital campaign?
    
11. If you were the campaign chair, who are some of the people you would like to have work with you on the campaign committee.
    
12. Would you be willing to serve as a volunteer in the campaign?
    
13. Would you be interested in receiving information about making a legacy stewardship (planned) gift to the congregation: This could include a bequest in your will, a charitable remainder trust, gift of life insurance, pooled income fund, or by making the congregation a final beneficiary of a CD, pension fund, or life insurance policy.
    
14. What kind of recognition do you think would be appropriate for persons who contribute to the campaign?
    
15. How do you suggest the campaign be marketed?
    
16. What other comments or suggestions would you like to offer that could help the campaign be successful?