Latest Research: The State of Capital Campaigns in 2026

Capital campaigns play a vital role in enabling nonprofits to secure the financial resources needed for major projects, infrastructure development, and long-term sustainability.

And yet, the nonprofit sector has relied on anecdotes, word-of-mouth best practices, and isolated case studies to guide their efforts.

Capital Campaign Pro’s Annual Benchmark Study

That’s why Capital Campaign Pro conducts an annual benchmark study into the planning and execution of capital campaigns by nonprofits in North America.

Our third annual report builds on previous years of groundbreaking research to provide even more comprehensive insights into how nonprofits plan and conduct successful capital campaigns.

The 2026 study has grown to over 650 nonprofits across the US and Canada (up from around 500 organizations in the previous study). This expanded dataset includes organizations at various stages of their campaign journey, from those in the planning phase to those currently in a campaign, to those who have recently completed their campaigns.

Before downloading the full the 2026 Capital Campaign Benchmark Report, you can read about some of the most significant findings below.

Key Campaign Research Findings for 2026

The latest research continues to challenge common fears and myths about campaigns while providing empirical evidence of their effectiveness.

1. The Vast Majority of Capital Campaigns Are Successful

The success rate of capital campaigns has hovered around 95% for all three years of the study. Organizations are raising an average of 116% of their campaign goals (up from 106% last year), with the highest reported achievement being 175% of the original goal.

2. Annual Funds Thrive During and After Campaigns

The data continues to dispel the myth of annual fund cannibalization. More than three-quarters of organizations report that their annual funds either stayed the same or increased during their campaigns. Even more encouraging, 73% of organizations saw their annual funds increase in the years following their campaigns.

3. Feasibility Studies Prove Their Worth

Organizations conducting feasibility studies continue to see superior results. The 2026 data shows that these organizations were twice as likely to report:

• Increased effectiveness among development staff
• Better fundraising systems
• Stronger relationships with major donors

4. Most Organizations Hire Outside Expertise

You don’t have to go it alone.

And most organizations don’t!

68% of organizations hired outside counsel (up from 63% last year). We recommend that organizations hire outside expertise to support their campaign in addition to staffing increases to manage campaign-related tasks.

5. The Pareto Principle is Alive and Well in Capital Campaigns

The research confirms that the 80/20 rule continues to be a foundational principle in campaign fundraising. The data shows that the top 20 gifts typically account for 72% of the total campaign goal, reinforcing the critical importance of focusing on leadership and major gifts in the early stages of a campaign.

Other Capital Campaign Insights for 2026

The expanded research has unveiled several additional insights:

• The average length of a capital campaign is 3.7 years
• 65% of campaigns focused solely on a construction project
• Strategic planning drives 76% of capital campaigns
• Only 38% of organizations totally outsource feasibility study interviews to a third-party consultant
• 61% of organizations utilize volunteer campaign chairs
• 96% of campaigns allow multi-year pledges

Moving Your Campaign Forward with Confidence

The 2026 research reinforces that capital campaigns remain a powerful tool for nonprofit growth and development, regardless of organization size or external economic conditions. The expanded dataset provides even stronger evidence that with proper planning and execution, campaigns consistently succeed in helping organizations achieve their strategic objectives.

For organizations considering a capital campaign, the data continues to support moving forward with confidence. The myths about needing perfect conditions, wealthy boards, or risking annual fund support have been further dispelled by this comprehensive research.

Most importantly, the 2026 findings demonstrate that capital campaigns not only raise significant funds but also strengthen donor relationships, improve fundraising systems, and enhance overall organizational capacity.

Click below to download the full 2026 report: