AAMC Institutional Advancement Group Conference-This Week!
This week, Anne and I will be in Nashville, Tennessee, for a conference we’ve never participated in before: The American Association of Medical Colleges, Group on Institutional Advancement. It’s a relatively small conference and so we look forward to meaningful interface with those finding themselves ensconced, particularly, in a capital campaign. Whether actively engaged in the campaign or involved in feasibility studies for one, if there is a moment not to be missed by fundraisers, it is the “capital campaign moment”. It is actually the most crucial time to think about thanking in new ways . As one assesses all of their administrative and fundraising “systems”, programmatic donor recognition is not to be overlooked. Continue reading »
Recommendations for Recognizing Scholarship Donors
In conversation with an existing client, we discussed these emerging trends in recognition strategy for scholarship donors. How do these ideas compare to current practice at your institution?
Recognition of endowment giving of all sorts is now often presented in formal public displays. We are encouraging appropriate permanent recognition to correspond to the emphasis on named endowments. Most frequently, there is a high entry level for naming an endowed scholarship, often exceeding the entry level for physical naming opportunity. Permanent recognition for these naming opportunities must correlate to the scope of recognition offered for any facility-based naming opportunity of the same dollar amount.
Recognition efforts are designed to encourage repeat giving to support scholarships. For instance, non-endowment scholarships may be pledged for multiple years, with 3-5 years as the minimum. In those situations, recognition is based on the total amount given, often bringing the donors to higher levels over time than the entry level for an endowed scholarship. Scholarships are not formally named until the pledges are completed, although stewardship activities commence immediately, based on the pledge amount.
Recognition programs that celebrate mid-level donors do much to enhance and broaden their repeat giving. Institutions often have funds, endowed or otherwise, that allow for the pooling of smaller gifts. Donors to those funds are most often recognized by campaign or project. To promote continued giving, I suggest that these listings be annual, not permanent. Donors remain on the list only by giving again. Cumulative totals will contribute to lifetime giving recognition totals but will not translate into a naming opportunity.
Written by Anne Manner-McLarty
Filed under Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Donor Recognition Programs, Stewardship, Think Before You Thank | Tags: Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Capital Campaign, Donor Recognition, donor wall, Scholarship Giving, Stewardship, Think Before You Thank, Trends in Fundraising | Comment (1)You’ve never seen this before!
Interactive story-telling, lifetime and planned giving programs!
“HOT!” This just in from Memphis.
Employee Giving Recognition Recommendations
A client sent in a general inquiry about employee recognition. I have included excepts below I thought the answers might be useful to many of you, especially healthcare fundraisers interested in promoting employee giving. And do remember, theoretically, the same thinking applies to all staff, volunteer and auxiliary giving program recognition.
All the things (and friends) I didn’t get to see in San Francisco
So, earlier this month, I had the great fortune to travel to San Francisco with my good friends Robin and Harv to present at my favorite annual conference, ADRP International. Except for the hour of the presentation, I doubt you saw me there, and I regret that I was able to see so few of you! Sadly, I spent the majority of my time on the floor in my hotel room, immobilized by a bad back! Yet, this trip will remain one of the most memorable of my life, for so many reasons. Continue reading »
Filed under Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Donor Communications, Donor Recognition Programs, Social Media, Think Before You Thank, multimedia donor recognition | Tags: ADRP, Best Practices for Donor Recognition, Interactive Displays, new media, Social Media, Think Before You Thank, Trends in Fundraising | Comments Off