Trinity is currently exploring the possibility of a capital camapign. Despite what the name may imply capital campaigns are used today to fund all sorts of projects, not just “capital” investments like buildings and grounds. We started the Inform phase of exploration in Februrary 2019 and expect to complete the Invite phase towards the end of the summer. Should all of that be successful, we will enter the third phase of the campaign in the Fall of 2019.
A successful capital campaign occurs in three phases: Inform, Inquire, and Invite.
The Information Phase is a process whereby the needs of our Trinity community are identified, people are involved in examining those needs, and the resulting collective vision for our ministry is communicated to all constituencies. In the foundation-laying
The most important overall question of this phase is to consider: “What is God calling us to do?”
Information Phase timeline for Trinity Episcopal Church: January 2019 through April 2019
The Inquiry Phase involves a professionally-facilitated feasibility study that seeks the opinions and priorities of our entire church community, in order to assess our level of support for the proposed projects. A feasibility study has three objectives:
· Present our proposed Case
· Inquire about opinions and support
· Report the findings
· Decide whether a campaign is indicated
This phase formally seeks the opinions of every member of our congregation, confidentially, through a combination of personal interviews, direct mail and/or electronic survey responses to our case statement and a questionnaire, and provides crucial information about the potential success of a capital campaign.
We will organize the feedback we gather during the inquire phase using our Shared Values.
Inquiry Phase timeline for Trinity Episcopal Church: May 2019 through July 2019
IMPORTANT NOTE: Trinity will not continue to the final phase of a campaign without the clearly expressed support and desire of the congregation, as indicated in Information Phase work and Inquiry Phase results.
With the crucial information obtained from a thorough Inquiry Study, we have the building blocks for a joyful gifting phase when we will Invite Trinity community members to participate through gifts of time, talent, and treasure to help grow an even stronger spiritual community.
Potential Invite Phase timeline for Trinity Episcopal Church: August 2019 through January 2020
As you have heard through many communications channels, Trinity Episcopal Church is forming a study committee for a possible capital campaign in the second half of 2019. The first six months of the year involve the committee having robust conversations with the congregation and the community about a possible campaign, as well as intently listening to the parish and community members to assess support.
We recently sat down with Tony Powell, Physical Resources Commission member, and Brandon Gabbard, Physical Resources Commission Chair, to discuss how a potential capital campaign might impact Trinity’s physical facilities.
During the Dreamcatching phase of the Capital Campaign Study, there will be much discussion on church finances and potential endowments created through a campaign. We spoke with Matt Swendiman, who provided us with some insight on finances and endowments from his perspective as Chair of the Financial Resources Commission.
Rebekah Gensler Butler and her family have been members of Trinity since 2014. She currently serves as president of the board for Renaissance Covington and DevouGood Project, a group that partners with local nonprofits to assess the unique needs of communities within Greater Cincinnati and to facilitate projects which target the identified needs. I sat down with Rebekah to get her perspective on how Trinity affects the local community, and vice versa.
Phone: 859-431-1786
Fax: 859-392-2361