Designing your donor wall or donor recognition project can become overwhelming. In the world of recognition, there are many different possibilities, choices, and opportunities that can help you maximize your donor acknowledgment and fundraising efforts. The problem is that there is no way that one person can think of them all. This is why RecognitionArt has created a manual to help guide you. Using over 100 years of combined experiences in donor recognition, we have designed this guide to include the smartest methods and time-proven techniques to help you save time and achieve your recognition goals more efficiently and successfully than ever before.
One of the First Things to Consider: What is Your Objective
First, create a list of your organization’s goals, wants, and needs. Many of the answers can be found in the “Show Me the Reasons” exercise for you and your staff that can be found in the manual. Next, review each point below and consider if it will play a part in your recognition project, and if so, how it will be integrated into the final design:
- Establish giving levels and consider if donors will be listed by dollar amounts or category name (see the end of this section)
- Find and capture prior donors
- Raise current donors to higher investment levels
- Increase local and national awareness
- Consider expansion opportunities
- Compute past giving patterns, including average and median gifts— these are critical in determining starting and overall donor levels
- Plan for historical recognition
- Formulate room, wing, and building naming opportunities
- Establish a location early and explain to the organization’s planners the importance of location
- Differentiate your not-for-profit from all others
- Think about finding a sponsor(s) to underwrite the display’s costs and possibly partner with you in other areas of your plan
- Establish a comfortable budget. Try not to withhold or overspend— two mistakes that can upset your donors. Have the budget in line with your organization’s size and stature
- Be Socially Astute: Not everyone with money has the reputation level to be connected to your organization. Be sure you do your “social due-diligence.”
- Decide on the length of time each recognition project will be in place and be certain this information is communicated to the donor
By establishing primary and secondary goals and then developing and implementing an action plan you will increase your revenue, bond your donors for life, and create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Important Information. On RecognitionArt’s website, you will an array of photo galleries to help you best determine your design aesthetic. From metal and wood to Corian and acrylic, the options are literally endless.
Visit www.recognitionart.com/donor-walls-gallery for inspiration!
We hope this information will help you not only to fulfill and exceed your recognition goals but also to create continuing success in raising the funds you need to thrive. What better way to inspire people to want to know more about what your organization does and how they can help. Inspiration thought-provoking and allure is what your donor wall should announce to draw people in to look.
RecognitionArt’s Artistic Value
RecognitionArt is committed to ensuring that your donor display beautifully represents your organization using various forms of art. Our designs are one-of-a-kind and we truly care about your success. Our displays are known for their art and text used to ensure a compelling reason to view the piece and to inspire giving throughout its longevity.
With a high retention rate of clients, RecognitionArt is considered one of the premier donor recognition companies in the country. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you design an artful and beautiful donor wall.