That question reminds me of one I asked an older friend once about the right time to prune trees. I have learned since asking my friend about pruning trees that his answer might not have been the best one.
Timing can make a difference in the growth and production of the tree for the future.
The same is true of financial stewardship campaigns. From a theological and philosophical point of view, the annual campaign should be conducted prior to setting the church's budget, so that the context for giving can be gratefulness to God for the blessings we have received, rather than to meet the budget. Campaigns intended to raise capital dollars only, such as for buildings or major improvements, generally will be most successful when placed six months opposite the annual budget campaign. But the pages of the calendar and the availability of people are not the only concerns for a financial stewardship campaign-maybe not even the most important ones. The most unsuccessful campaigns I have conducted were those where the vision of the campaign was not clear, the goal was not realistic, or there was dissension in the church.