Why Capital Campaigns & Stewardship Work Better Apart
Can You Combine a Capital Campaign with Annual Stewardship?
Yes… But Should You?
When a church launches a capital campaign, it’s natural to wonder whether it can, or should, be combined with the annual stewardship appeal. After all, both are about inviting people to give. Wouldn’t combining efforts save time, simplify messaging, and avoid donor fatigue?
The answer? Yes, you can combine them… but in most cases, you shouldn’t.
What’s the Difference?
First, it’s important to understand the distinction because stewardship and capital campaigns serve different purposes and ask for different kinds of commitments.
- Annual stewardship supports the ongoing ministry and operations of your church: salaries, programs, outreach,
utilities, and worship. It’s what keeps the doors open and the mission moving forward. - Capital campaigns, on the other hand, fund extraordinary needs like building projects, debt retirement, or long-term ministry expansion. These are one-time efforts for above-and-beyond giving.
Capital Campaigns Are Not for Ongoing Needs
This distinction matters: capital campaigns are not designed to fund regular, recurring expenses.
Including everyday needs, like staffing or maintenance, in a capital campaign undermines both efforts. Donors get confused, and critical operational funding can fall short.
Capital campaigns are meant for specific, time-bound goals, not to plug holes in the annual budget. If your church is depending on a capital campaign to meet normal operating expenses, it’s a signal that annual stewardship needs strengthening.
The Temptation to Combine
Churches may feel pressure to combine the two appeals, often for practical reasons:
- It seems more efficient
- It avoids asking too often
- It reduces communication fatigue
These are valid concerns. But unless your capital goal is modest, say, less than your church’s annual income, combining the two campaigns is almost always a strategic mistake..
Why Separate Campaigns Work Better
It might not be what most churches want to hear but separating your capital and annual appeals is not just a best practice, it’s essential for success.
- You’ll raise more: When the asks are clearly defined, people understand that capital gifts are over and above their regular
giving. Blending stewardship with capital requests often leads to donors choosing one over the other, or giving less overall. - You’ll maintain momentum: Annual giving can take a hit if it’s lumped in with a capital campaign. That means your everyday
ministries suffer, right when your congregation needs to be fully engaged and inspired.. - You’ll message more clearly: Clarity drives generosity. When donors clearly understand the purpose of each appeal, they’re
more likely to give, and give generously. Blurred lines reduce both confidence and impact.
Good Stewardship Prevents Future Problems
Strong annual stewardship doesn’t just support today’s ministry, it helps prevent tomorrow’s emergencies.
- Facilities are maintained regularly, not allowed to deteriorate.
- Deferred maintenance is reduced, avoiding the need for costly future repairs.
- Staff and programs thrive, rather than scrape by on limited support.
In short, consistent stewardship builds long-term sustainability. Churches that invest well in annual giving often avoid crisis-driven capital needs later on.
Honor the Process, Respect the People
We understand that this approach takes more time, effort, and coordination. But stewardship isn’t just a financial decision, it’s a spiritual process. When you take the time to communicate both needs clearly and separately, you respect your people and honor the process.
We encourage churches to keep annual stewardship and capital giving in their own lanes. Doing so doesn’t dilute the message but amplifies it. And your church will be healthier, more faithful, and more financially secure as a result.
