A feasibility study is a structured, pastoral listening process led by outside counsel — not a survey.

A full ISPD study includes:

  • A preliminary case statement, marked DRAFT — why the projects are needed, how they advance your mission and vision, and a tentative goal
  • Careful screening of interview candidates — top annual givers over five years, past campaign donors and volunteers, known financial leaders, and other engaged stakeholders
  • Personal invitations from the pastor, principal, president, or board chair, with the case statement and a plain-language Q&A
  • One-on-one confidential interviews, 30–45 minutes, usually on site — covering how they feel about the parish or school, their read on leadership and vision, their reaction to the projects and goal, their own giving capacity and willingness, and whether they would lead
  • Phone and online questionnaires for those who cannot meet in person
  • A written final report summarizing findings, assessing the climate for a campaign, recommending an achievable goal or goal range, and setting out next steps

In most ISPD campaigns, a significant share of Silent Phase gifts and a large share of campaign leaders come directly from the people interviewed in the study.