Roundtable: The Implications of Digital Media on Stewardship and Enhanced Giving

July 23rd, 2009

I’ll soon have a 2nd opportunity to facilitate this roundtable with hospital fundraisers. The results of our  first try at AHP meeting in Nashville last month pleasantly surprised us due to the turn it took. See our June blog, “Social Networking for Healthcare Philanthropy”.

We  had thought the digital media subject would evolve related to donor recognition within an organization’s website, its facility’s interactive touchscreens or digital signing.  Instead, attendees were actively engaged sharing experiences and gaining insight related social networking and its impact on giving and stewardship. Current social network options (Twitter, Facebook, Linked-in, etc) were all evaluated, yet more interestingly, the realization that traditional organizational techniques used for community engagement work well, with modification, on line, too. Most of the same rules apply, while new ones evolve. Cautionary tales were many.

This new healthcare roundtable is scheduled for Friday morning, July 24 at the gathering of the Georgia Association for Advancement Professionals in St. Simons Island, GA. I look forward to facilitating this discussion too. Together, we’ll ride their wave of interest where it leads. Will present a summary report following the meeting.

Written by Robin E. Williams

Product Critique: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

July 15th, 2009

As donor recognition consultants, we emphasize the importance of an on-going, changeable display format to keep the viewing audience interested and excited, both in the present and during future visits. I recently came across an article about the new donor recognition display at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida . At Moffitt, the Pittsburgh-based design firm, ThoughtForm, chose a more static interpretation of the theme, “One person can make a difference.”

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Fundraisers Get Ready!

July 8th, 2009

Overall, giving in America is down this year, but a quick look at economic history reveals two heartening constants for fundraisers:

• A deep slump in the economy is not typically mirrored within the philanthropic community. Instead, only a dip or a less steep climb in giving during the same time-frame has been the norm.

• An economic slump is historically followed by a significant and long term increase in giving! Continue reading »