The Full Potential of Donor Recognition

No one but a donor recognition consultant would take as much time as I just have to grapple with establishing the “best” definition for donor recognition. However, my daily activities demonstrate that too many folks think they know just what donor recognition is (plaques) and too few consider the full scope of what it ought to be. So for those willing, here is some well-invested “thinking about thanking”.

Donor recognition is the public acknowledgment of a gift received, carefully crafted to both honor the donor it names and motivate the potential donors in the audience. Continue reading »

Filed under Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Donor Communications, Think Before You Thank | Tags: Best Practices for Donor Recognition, consultant, Donor Recognition, donor wall | Comments Off

Donor Recognition “Branding” within Your Organization

Most often one thinks of branding as a marketing activity but if you flip the branding coin you see how basic marketing theories go hand-in-hand with donor recognition. The two together work as a team, enforcing your organization’s overall presence, personality, and values. Continue reading »

Filed under Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Donor Recognition Programs, Philanthropy, Recognition Environments | Tags: Best Practices, Communications, Development, Donor Recognition, Philanthropy, Stewardship, Successes, Think Before You Thank | Comments Off

Transylvania Regional Hospital Recognizes Community Donors

In celebration of the completion of a successful capital campaign to build a new inpatient wing, the Transylvania Regional Hospital recently installed donor recognition elements naming areas of the hospital in honor of major donors.  In addition to the area namings, a display at the entry to the new wing lists members of each of the Foundation’s giving societies who participated in this campaign. This installation is the culmination of several years of planning and reflects the Transylania Regional Hospital’s commitment to positive relationship building with the community. Continue reading »

Filed under Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Donor Recognition Programs, Recognition Environments | Tags: area naming, Capital Campaign, Communications, Donor Recognition Best Practices, Healthcare Philanthropy, Naming Opportunities | Comments Off

Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation Announces Philanthropy Center

Watch the celebration of the Gwinnett Medical Center’s philanthropy center honoring donors of all types and the announcement of the public phase of the Open Heart is in Your Hands campaign.  Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation has been a client since the early 1990′s.  We congratulate them on a job well done!  In addition to the meaningful investment they’ve made in facility-based recognition, this Foundation also excels in broadcasting key philanthropic messages through all variety of new media.  Find them online on Facebook, YouTube and routine e-communications.

Filed under Donor Communications, Philanthropy, Recognition Environments, Stewardship | Tags: Facebook, Gwinnett Medical Center, new media, Philanthropy Center | Comments Off

Defining Philanthropy Center

Our firm regularly uses the term “philanthropy center”. We have to remind ourselves that this term has meaning to us as donor recognition consultants, but may be foreign to others, even our fundraising clients.

A philanthropy center is a premier destination for the celebration of donors and the many ways that an organization has benefited from philanthropy.

As a “center,” a grouping of displays goes beyond the standard “donor wall,” communicating opportunities to give and fostering enhanced giving by current donors and new donors alike. Continue reading »

Filed under Donor Recognition Programs, Recognition Environments | Tags: annual giving, consultant, cumulative giving, Donor Recognition, donor wall, Philanthropy Center, planned giving | Comments Off