The Campaign Readiness Assessment
User Guide

Fifteen elements separate organizations ready to launch a campaign from those that are not yet. This guide shows you how to find out where you stand.

What this is

The Campaign Readiness Assessment is a short interactive tool. You mark where your organization stands on each of fifteen foundation elements, and your readiness report writes itself as you answer — including a short list of what to shore up first.

Successful fundraising is built on a strong foundation. This is the fastest way to see yours plainly, before a campaign puts weight on it.

How to use it

Tell it about your organization. Name and what you are weighing right now — both optional. If you plan to think the results through with an AI tool afterward, keep these general and leave out confidential details.
Mark where you stand on each element. For all fifteen, choose In good shape, Work in Progress, Needs Further Research, or Not yet. Don't overthink it — the first answer is usually the right one.
Read your report. It assembles itself as you go, with your readiness picture and what to shore up first.

Put your report to work

Press Copy report, then take it one of two places. Open ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI assistant, paste it in, and ask it to help you prioritize the gaps and draft a plan — your report becomes the starting point for a working session. Or send it to Anne Murphy and talk through your campaign with the person who built the assessment.

Pass it on

The assessment is free and yours to share. Every board considering a campaign should see its own readiness picture before it votes on a goal.

Start the Campaign Readiness Assessment →

Take it to your whole organization

Empowered Fundraiser helps nonprofits and campaigns build giving that lasts, without years of trial and error. If the assessment surfaced gaps, a strategy session is where they get a plan.