Feasibility Studies

Preparing to raise large sums of money requires a laser-like focus on finding out where gifts are likely to come from and who is best to secure them.

What is a Feasibility Study?

A Gifted feasibility study is a qualitative research process that usually addresses your organisation’s readiness to mount a capital fundraising campaign. It’s based on a series of confidential, behind the scenes interviews with a cross-section of your organisation’s leaders, givers, influential friends, staff members and other prospective supporters.

In some respects, the study can be regarded as a visit to your organisation’s most respected and valued supporters to seek the benefits of their wisdom, before you embark upon a major venture. The combination of the influence that these supporters might have on key prospects and their willingness to use what affluence they have, to help realise the vision, is a critical factor. When directly engaged through a study, often their access to others with these qualities helps open doors that have previously been considered inaccessible.

The key elements of a feasibility study

Planning and undertaking a feasibility study, whatever the size or shape of your organisation, usually involves the following tools:

Your study needs to focus on three key questions:

In addition to providing answers to timescale, milestone and resourcing questions, your Study will determine:

1 – Case for Support – do people support and believe in your vision?

2 – Money – where are the top ten to fifteen gifts that will typically deliver as much as half of your fundraising target?

3 – Leadership – which people are prepared to lead by example, make a gift themselves and ask others to join them?

"Gifted provided us with an insightful Feasibility Study which gives the Governing Body at DCGS the confidence and reassurance to press ahead with a number of ambitious fundraising plans. Participants who took part in the study really enjoyed meeting with Chris and appreciated his professionalism. We are delighted with the end results."
Clare Atkinson, Director of Development, Dr Challoners Grammar School, Deputy Chair IDPE

"By utilising an independent company to conduct a feasibility study we have gained invaluable insight into our donor community. Furthermore Chris’ experience and approach to his work made the process very smooth and he put the participants at ease. Feedback from interviewees about the process and their experience has been extremely positive."
Henrietta Carter-Mayers, Putney High School

Further information

Client assignments

Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust
Aylesbury High School
Bede's School
Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust
Bolton NHS Charitable Foundation
Bradford Hospitals' Charity
British Judo Association
British School at Rome
Camphill Milton Keynes Communities
Canterbury Cathedral Trust
Castle From a Neuro Care
Chesham Grammar School
CPRE Peak District & South Yorkshire
Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Dr Frost Learning
Dr Johnson's House Trust
Dublin Bay City Council
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust
English Heritage
Gloucester Cathedral
Godolphin & Latymer School

Great St Bartholomew's London
Horris Hill School
King Edward VI Camphill School for Boys
Kenilworth School and Sixth Form
Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Service
Lancaster Royal Grammar School
Lapal Canal Trust
Leeds Children's Charity
Link4Life
Lord Williams's School
Malvern St James Girls' School
Mid Yorkshire Hospitals' charity
Nene Park Trust
Myton Hospice
Pangbourne College
Peterborough Cathedral
Queen Street School Preservation Trust
Richmond House School
Riverside School
Rochdale Development Agency
Saffron Walden Almshouses

St Peter's Church Stockton
Society of Chemical Industry
St Luke's Church Lodge Moor
St Mary's Collegiate Church Warwick
Stratford Upon Avon Rugby Club
Stratford Upon Avon School
The Air Ambulance Service
The Airey Neave Trust
The Goldsmiths' Company
The Kennel Club Charitable Trust
The Lord Leycester Hospital
The North Yorkshire Moors Historical Railway Trust
The Skinners' Company
Treetops Hospice
Ullswater Yacht Club
Uttoxeter Heritage Trust
Vintage Trains Charitable Trust
Wakefield Grammar School Foundation
Wimbledon High School