As the Northern Illinois Conference continues to expand the work of Harvest 2020, under the direction of the Harvest 2020 Leadership Team, a Feasibility Study, designed to investigate the receptivity of a capital campaign, has been launched.

Community Counseling Services (CCS) have been hired to conduct this study. This agency, with offices in Chicago, has been involved in institutional fund raising including work with universities, hospitals, community organizations and a variety of faith traditions. CCS has conducted capital campaigns in several Conferences across the connection. They are currently conducting the feasibility study for the General Board of Pensions focused on the general church health initiative, as well as work with United Methodist Communication and the United Nations “Nothing But Nets” project.

Members of the Harvest 2020 Leadership Team have prepared a case study and compiled a list of lay and clergy leadership in the annual conference as well as representation from all six districts for participation in the study. The study will include an electronic survey to insure broad participation from throughout the annual conference. In addition, tools for the feasibility study include one-on-one interviews and focus groups.

A final report and recommendations will be received by the Harvest 2020 Leadership Team and the Council on Finance and Administration by mid-April. Co-Chairs of the Harvest 2020 Leadership Team are Rev. Cecelia Harris and Rev. Michael Stoner. Chair of the Feasibility Study Committee is Rev. Enrique Gonzalez. Serving as staff liaison in the process is the Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Arlene W. Christopherson.

Funds for this project were made available through a bequest to the annual conference and a grant from the United Methodist Foundation.