Nonprofit Fundraising InsightsField notes from three decades of capital campaigns and donor calling programs.
Practical guidance on soliciting major donors, telefundraising, and multi-channel strategy, plus real results from campaigns we've carried start to finish.
Articles
Perspective on the art and mechanics of the ask.
4 min read
Key Steps for Soliciting Major Donors
Catapult's “four-right rule” for turning long-time supporters into major gift donors.
3 min read
How to Effectively Use the Phone Today
Why telefundraising is far from dead, and the two-step, personalized method that lifts gift sizes 25 to 30 percent.
6 min read
Multi-Channel Fundraising — Are You Missing the Mark?
Why digital fundraising alone can't upgrade donors or build a major gift pipeline, and the segmentation, storytelling, and calling strategy that can.
Case Studies
Real outcomes from real campaigns.
Health & Family Services · Capital Campaign
Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas Exceeds $25 Million Capital Campaign Goal Through Strategic Partnership
Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas partnered with Catapult Fundraising to strengthen major gift capacity, provide campaign leadership and accountability, and organize a disciplined prospect strategy for its Love Builds a New Home capital campaign. The campaign grew from just over $5 million in commitments when the partnership began to more than $25 million raised by August 2026, exceeding its $25 million public goal.
Public Media · Legacy & Planned Giving
Unlocking the Power of Planned Giving: A Case Study for PBS KVIE
PBS KVIE partnered with Catapult to identify and cultivate new planned giving donors, strengthen relationships with existing donors, and secure planned gifts. The Legacy Call program closed $4,620,000 in planned gifts, secured 63 planned gifts, and added 106 donors to the pipeline.
Higher Education · Legacy & Planned Giving
Catapult Fundraising's Legacy Call Program Secures Over $4.8 Million in Confirmed Planned Gifts for a Prestigious Northeast University
A 500-donor Legacy Call telephone outreach program confirmed 50 planned gifts totaling $4,894,000, with an additional $328,500 in gift potential identified among the university's most loyal donors.
Faith-Based Organization · Mid-Level Donor Engagement
Catapult Fundraising's Mid-Level Donor Engagement Program Builds a Major Gift Pipeline for a Faith-Based Organization
A segmented Reactivate, Renewal, and Upgrade campaign for a faith-based organization drove a 32% higher response rate among lapsed donors, qualified 57% of participants for additional stewardship, and identified 9% as ready for a major gift appointment.
Healthcare · Legacy & Planned Giving
Catapult Fundraising's Legacy Call Program Secures $1,023,000 in Planned Gifts for a New Jersey Hospital
A 1,000-donor Legacy Call telephone outreach program for a southern New Jersey hospital confirmed 18 planned gifts totaling $1,023,000, with an additional $412,500 in gift potential identified among the hospital's most loyal donors.
Performing Arts Organization · Mid-Level Donor Engagement
Catapult Fundraising Uncovers Hidden Major Gift Potential Within a Performing Arts Organization's Donor Base
A targeted engagement campaign for a performing arts organization reached 1,026 donors with a lifetime giving history under $350, generating 467 new gifts, a 72% increase in overall giving, and an average first-time gift of $2,390.
Independent School · Legacy & Planned Giving
Catapult Fundraising's Legacy Calls Program Secures Over $7,500,000 in Planned Gifts for The Hill School
Two phases of Legacy Calls outreach for The Hill School, a private boarding school in Pennsylvania, secured 47 confirmed planned gifts totaling $7,666,000, with $1,212,500 in additional gift potential.
Annual Fund Calling · Donor Engagement
Catapult Fundraising's AF Connect Calling Program Achieves an 85% Pledge Rate with Lapsed Donors for Special Olympics of Indiana
Catapult's AF Connect calling program for Special Olympics of Indiana lifted average gift size by 39% and achieved an 85% pledge rate with lapsed donors, nearly double the 45% industry average.
Faith-Based Organization · Legacy & Planned Giving
Catapult Fundraising's Legacy Call Program Secures Over $6.8 Million in Planned Gifts for an International Ministry
Two phases of Legacy Call outreach to 3,100 loyal donors for a northern California ministry secured 149 confirmed planned gifts totaling $6,867,161, with $4,960,063 in additional gift potential.
Museum & Cultural Institution · Legacy & Planned Giving
Catapult Fundraising's Legacy Call Program Secures $2,825,000 in Planned Gifts for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
A 2,000-donor Legacy Call telephone outreach program for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library confirmed 26 planned gifts totaling $2,825,000, with an additional $1,510,000 in gift potential identified.
Social Service · Capital Campaign & Endowment
Catapult Fundraising Restarts a Stalled Capital Campaign and Helps The Salvation Army of Southern Nevada Finish at $10 Million
The Salvation Army of Southern Nevada had a half-finished capital campaign for a new Family Services Center, no study to guide it, and construction approval on hold. Costs kept climbing during the stall, moving the goal from $6 million to $8.5 million to $10 million. Catapult ran the study that had never been done, rebuilt the gift chart and prospect strategy at each new target, and the campaign finished at $10 million including a $1.25 million endowment.
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