Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati
Since the Commission's inception in 1988, our agency has worked with a wide variety of organizations on dozens of capital projects of varying sizes and complexities. In that time, we have witnessed that careful and realistic planning is the best predictor of a successful capital project. Any organization undertaking a capital project must create a thorough plan that goes beyond the cost of construction and considers closely the impact the completed project will have on the organization's programming and ongoing financial health.
Your planning effort should consider your mission and the programs and services your organization provides to the community, explore the likely markets for your programs, investigate the community's support of your efforts, assess your organization's financial outlook, and map a plan for continued success. Well-planned capital projects succeed when the project is consistent with the organization's mission and the programming it provides to the community.
Additionally, by demonstrating that your organization has thought through your capital project planning and has identified a realistic path to success, you will be well-equipped to approach your legislators to request state funding, and may turn them into valuable advocates for your project.
