Case Study: Connecticut Public Campaign Feasibility Study

Overview:
Campaign Feasibility was important to Connecticut Public. As the go-to media source that enriches people’s lives through high-quality, non-commercial, educational programming in public broadcasting, CT Public has evolved from a single television broadcasting network to the multi-platform news, talk shows, and entertainment programming it offers today, reaching a growing audience of one million viewers and listeners each week.

The Board and executive leadership were committed to ensuring the viability and continued quality of its programs and services by raising its philanthropic profile and financial stability through the planning and execution of a capital campaign to support its strategic imperatives by raising funding over five years to execute on a Strategic Master Plan. To achieve that vision and goal, Connecticut Public (CT Public) engaged Harvest Development Group to conduct a comprehensive Feasibility Study.

Challenge/Tactic:
Outline the key business challenge, consumer problem, or market opportunity.
Having an impartial review and assessment of an organization’s capacity is important when developing a philanthropic plan, especially for a major gift or capital campaign endeavor. CT Public recognized this and called upon Harvest’s expertise to validate and uncover opportunities for their capital campaign readiness, from both an operational view and the perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes of their donor and viewer community.

Solution/Action:
Harvest conducted a Feasibility Study to evaluate the operational readiness and philanthropic support within their donor community for a Capital Campaign Using our three-tiered approach in our study research to prepare a comprehensive Findings Report; an internal assessment of the organization’s readiness for a campaign, their internal processes and resources, an external assessment to gain insights into their donor community and key stakeholders, and an environmental scan of organizations embarking on capital campaigns and competing for donors.

Outcome/Result:

Harvest Development Group prepared a comprehensive Findings Report, supplemented with a Financial Pro Forma for campaign financial investment and revenue. This report was used by Connecticut Public Public to reach an agreement on the opportunities and organizational and operational enhancements to build and execute a capital campaign. The report was presented by Harvest with the Connecticut Public leadership and other key stakeholders, as defined by the group, at a findings summit.

“Harvest designed a research protocol that included a survey to thousands of our members along with more in-depth conversations with our leadership donors. This approach provided needed data and information as we determined our next steps in advancing our fundraising strategies. The Harvest team has both breadth and depth of expertise. As such, they guided discussions around the feasibility study findings as well as the larger philanthropic environment so that we could make informed and realistic strategic decisions.”
Deidre Tavera, Chief Development Officer, Connecticut Public