Building the Right Foundation Starts with the Right People
At Catalyst, we’ve seen it time and time again: the success of a building project doesn’t hinge on the blueprints or budget, it hinges on the people. Whether it’s a school building a STEM wing or a church expanding worship space, having the right team early makes the difference between a smooth, mission-driven project and one with setbacks.
For mission-driven schools and churches, especially in the private or faith-based space, this guide will help you build with purpose, not just concrete. Our goal is to help you think differently—not just about what you’re building, but who you need to bring alongside you to make it a success.
At Catalyst, we’re not just builders, we’re partners who help clients lead strategically from day one.
Assess Organizational Readiness
Before you break ground, or even meet with an architect, it’s critical to ask: Are we ready?
This is where we recommend conducting a Readiness Assessment. It’s a free service we offer to clients to evaluate internal alignment, organizational health, and strategic clarity. Too often, we see schools and churches rush to the design phase before their leadership team is fully aligned on the why behind the project.
A strong foundation starts with a strategic growth or ministry plan—a roadmap that aligns your leadership on your mission, vision, and goals for the next 3–5 years.
Without it, a building becomes a reaction to a need rather than a purposeful step forward. We often work alongside partners like Blueprint Schools, who specialize in helping organizations assess internal health and plan for strategic growth before design begins.
Engage Your Internal Leadership Team Early
Once you’re aligned on the “why,” it’s time to identify who needs to be at the table. Start with your internal leadership:
- President or Head of School
- Principal or Administrator
- Director of Development or Mission Advancement
- Facilities or Operations Director
Don’t overlook key voices that are too often forgotten, like your maintenance staff. These individuals understand the daily realities of your buildings better than anyone. They’ll flag issues early that could otherwise become costly mistakes down the line.
Likewise, program-specific leaders, such as your athletic director or Fine Arts Chair, should be involved if the project impacts their area. Internal clarity starts with having the right voices in the room from the start.
Gather Practical Input from Your End Users
Your internal leadership team can’t build in a vacuum. You need thoughtful input from the people who use the space daily.
This doesn’t mean every teacher or department chair needs to sit on a committee, but it does mean creating intentional ways to gather feedback.
Walk through draft plans with a science teacher.
Ask custodians about traffic flow.
Share early designs with a few trusted staff members and ask what you’ve missed.
You don’t need a 30-person committee, just thoughtful ways to gather feedback from the right people.
Involve Architects and External Experts at the Right Time
Too often, schools and churches start with an architect. But unless your internal team has clarity on your mission, goals, and priorities, you’ll likely end up with a set of plans that don’t fit your needs or your budget.
Instead, involve external partners like architects after you’ve completed strategic planning and gathered internal buy-in. You’ll also benefit from bringing in community voices—marketing, finance, or education experts who can lend insights during planning phases and validate your direction.
Before engaging an architect, it’s also critical to understand your approximate budget range. Without it, it’s easy to overdesign and end up with plans that are financially out of reach.
A clear budget paired with a clear vision allows your architect to deliver something that’s both inspiring and achievable. While an architect is essential to the project, they will be most effective when you hand them a clearly articulated vision, not a vague idea.
Build a Strong Campaign Team
When it’s time to raise funds and rally support, your campaign team becomes your engine. But not just anyone should be on it. The best campaign leaders have:
- Passion for the project
- Time to commit
- Influence with your audience
- Humility and a willingness to learn
- Courage to ask donors to consider a major gift
A donor doesn’t have to be wealthy to play a significant role, but must be committed and credible.
At Catalyst, we help clients identify the right team members and provide role-specific toolkits and job descriptions to set them up for success. Clear expectations lead to stronger outcomes.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Planning Your Building Project
Here are a few mistakes we see too often:
- Skipping the strategic planning phase
- Engaging an architect before aligning internal goals
- Choosing campaign leaders based only on expertise, not leadership ability
- Failing to gain internal buy-in before asking donors to commit
Avoiding these pitfalls sets your project and your team up for long-term success.
Timeline Guidance
Curious about when to start? Here’s a general timeline to guide your planning:
- 6–12 months for strategic planning (growth or ministry plan)
- 3 months to assemble and align your campaign team
- Engage architects after internal clarity and early donor conversations
This timeline allows for thoughtful planning and stakeholder engagement, which can’t be rushed if you want lasting impact.
Catalyst’s Role: More Than a Builder, A Strategic Partner
At Catalyst, we see our role as more than just building buildings. We come alongside schools and churches to help them lead with clarity, especially when navigating a project like this is their first time.
We’re here to ask the right questions, flag blind spots, and help your team confidently move forward. We love working with organizations doing meaningful work, and we’re honored to be part of the process.
Ready to get started? Connect with Catalyst for a free Readiness Assessment and take the first step toward a mission-driven project.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
