Sample Feasibility Study Questionnaire

Project Overview: South Side Boys and Girls Club was established 60 years ago in a working class neighborhood of a mid-sized city. Originally a boys' club, it began including girls15 years ago. Its primary programs are a science club, ceramics studio, first aid training, and sports programs. In recent years it has added a community service/teen volunteer center that sponsors neighborhood clean-up campaigns--getting Club members involved in tree planting, park refurbishing, and anti-graffiti activities. The Club has been offering services long enough that some now-elected city council and school board members attended its programs when they were young. It is well regarded in its immediate neighborhood. However, it does not focus much on marketing its programs and some other youth organizations in the city are better known to the general public.

A small Catholic school in the vicinity of the Club is moving to a new location. Several of its buildings have been sold to a private school, but the Catholic school approached the South Side Club about its possible interest in buying the old gymnasium. The purchase price would be reasonable in the current market--$150,000--but the gymnasium is in disrepair and would need substantial renovation, costing an estimated $500,000. Industry standards estimate that capital campaigns cost organizations between 5 percent and 14 percent of the fundraising goal. The Club anticipates such costs totaling an additional $50,000. Some of the Club's board members have suggested launching a $1 million campaign, with $300,000 going to establish an endowment. A hypothetical feasibility study questionnaire to be used in face-to-face interviews testing the Club's ability to raise $700,000-$1,000,000 for this project follows.

Questionnaire

This interview is confidential. It is on the record, but your comments will not be attributed. Your candor is invited and will be respected.

1. How did you become acquainted with the South Side Boys and Girls Club?

2. What is your image of the South Side Boys and Girls Club?

3. From your point of view, what is the Club's mission? What programs does it offer?

4. Have you or any members of your family attended programs at the Club?

5. Generally, what do you think of the quality of the Club's programs?

6. What is your view of the Club's commitment to community service?

7. What might the Club be doing better?

8. Do you think it is desirable to renovate the St. Stephens' Gymnasium for use by the South Side Boys and Girls Club?

         ___ Very Desirable
         ___ Somewhat Desirable
         ___ Not Desirable
         ___ No Opinion

9. Are there other local boys and girls clubs, working at the South Side Club's level that you would say are as important or more important? Which ones? Do you make contributions to any of them? At what level?

10. Could you tell me about your level of confidence in the administration of the club?

11. Could you tell me about your level of confidence in the Board of Directors?

12. (Question for board members only) Do you think that 100% of Board Members will make a larger-than-their-usual-level-of-support financial commitment to this project?

13. (Show board and current donor list.) Does anyone on this list stand out for you as a potential fund-raising leader or donor?

14. What is your general reaction to the proposition to launch a building purchase and renovations funding campaign?

15. Do you think that the Club has a strong case to mount for philanthropic support?

• If so, what is it, in your opinion?
• What about the case moves you?
• What would move you more?
• Do you think the community-beyond the Club's immediate supporters and alumni-will want to join "a campaign"?

16. How would you characterize the Club's fundraising strengths in relation to raising major gifts?

17. How would you characterize the Club's fundraising weaknesses in relation to raising major gifts?

18. How would you react to an endowment component to the campaign? Would you give to an endowment?

19. How would you evaluate the Club's potential to raise $700,000 above and beyond its operating expenses?

         ___ Probable
         ___ Possible
         ___ Not Possible
         ___ Cannot Estimate
         ___ Decline to comment
         Is there a goal which you believe is more realistic? How much? $________

20. Can you suggest other potential major donors to the campaign now envisioned by the Club? How much might they give? Why might they consider it?

21. How would you rate the importance of this campaign in comparison to others with which you are familiar?

         ___ More important
         ___ Equally important
         ___ Less important
         ___ Much less important
         ___ Even so, this one is important to do
         ___ Need more information
         ___ Decline to comment

22. Would you give serious consideration to a proposal from the South Side Boys and Girls Club for this project?
         ___ Yes          ___ No          ___ Maybe

• Would you give consideration to a gift at the $500,000 level or above? $_______
• Would you give consideration to a gift at the $250,000 level or above? $ _______
• Would you give consideration to a gift at the $100,000 level or above? $_______
• Would you give consideration to a gift at the $50,000 level or above? $________
• Would you give consideration to a gift at the $10,000 level or above? $_______
• Other levels?

23. Could the Club interest you in soliciting major contributions yourself for this project?

         ___ Yes, very interested
         ___ I'd consider it if asked
         ___ Yes, but only on a limited basis
         ___ Decline to comment

24. Do you have any additional comments or suggestions you would like to share anonymously with the Club's staff and board?

25. Is there anything I haven't asked you that you think I should have?

                                                    Thank You Very Much For Your Time and Candor!