What are the basics of running a splash pad capital campaign?

A splash pad capital campaign follows the same fundraising playbook as university, hospital, and museum campaigns — scaled down. Phases: (1) Feasibility study (1-3 months) — interview 30-50 prospective donors confidentially to test the campaign goal and identify likely lead gifts. (2) Leadership/silent phase (4-8 months) — secure 50-70% of the campaign goal from a small number of lead donors (often 10-20 donors give 80% of the total). Major individual gifts ($25K+) and lead foundation grants happen here. (3) Public phase (4-8 months) — broad community fundraising kicks off with a public announcement at the leadership-gift threshold; capture mid-tier donors ($1K-$10K) and small donors ($25-$500); use a public fundraising thermometer at the site; host events. (4) Celebration phase — ribbon-cutting, donor recognition. Hire a volunteer campaign chair (a respected local with deep networks), recruit a 10-15 person campaign committee, retain a fundraising consultant if budget allows, and produce a campaign case statement (visual document explaining the project, need, and impact). Most splash pad campaigns raise $100K-$1M over 12-24 months.