Association of Donor Relations Professionals International Conference in San Francisco!

December 8th, 2010

This year’s annual conference was kicked off with the announcement of a new logo and tagline, ADRP:  Your Connection to Inspired Stewardship

This new emphasis on stewardship demonstrates the organization’s dedication to expanding the donor relations professional’s role in all activities, including donor cultivation and stewardship.  It seems so obvious, yet it has been a challenging concept for many organization’s to integrate.  Metrics of the past put a higher value on the development officer as the revenue generator.  Yet savvy advancement teams now include donor relations and stewardship staff and welcome opportunities to expand the influence that these “relationship managers” bring to the cycle of giving.

And as this role evolves, the awareness that donor recognition is an integral part of the cycle is expanding, too.  Once thought of as the obligatory plaque or listing made in response to a gift, donor recognition is now coming to be understood as a dynamic means of motivating new giving and providing meaningful stewardship activities for existing donors.



The Benefits of Donor Recognition Program Planning

November 22nd, 2010

At last week’s GEAC Conference (Georgia Education Advancement Council), we presented this information as a vital part of our case study of donor recognition standards and guidelines now in use at Columbus State University in Columbus GA. Continue reading »

Case Study Reveals a Commitment to Stewardship at Columbus State University

November 18th, 2010

Dr. Kayron Laska, VP of Institutional Advancement at CSU, partnered with us today in our presentation at the annual Georgia Education Advancement Council conference in St. Simons, Island, GA. Her commitment to upholding their Recognition Program Standards and Guidelines as a process to be followed set a terrific example for those in attendance. Her understanding that thanking is perhaps the most powerful stewardship and cultivation tool at her bidding was palpable. Continue reading »

And the Award Goes to . . . Dania Beck

November 5th, 2010

“This is a big deal!”  So said George Maynard, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center about the Best Practitioner in Donor Recognition Award bestowed on Dania Beck, Annual Giving Manager for the hospital system.

Dania has been a leader there in the development of a comprehensive donor relations program that integrates new media for donor cultivation, stewardship and recognition. Moving to the Office of Philanthropy and Partnership from the hospital’s marketing team, Dania’s first responsibilities were centered specifically on e-Philanthropy.  In that capacity she initiated the Virtual Toy Drive for their Children’s Hospital and other e-philanthropy programs that continue to raise awareness as well as funds for much needed patient support items.  Dania’s creativity and dedication to using new media to drive her program have been instrumental in building a rapidly expanding donor base for the hospital system. Continue reading »

A Call for Truly Successful Online Donor Recognition

October 11th, 2010

Fundraising organizations are actively seeking effective means for communicating with donors through online tools. More importantly, donors expect the most efficient and timely means of communication.  Web-based technologies have the potential to create a new paradigm where donors co-create an engaging online experience that strengthens existing donor relationships and facilitates greater giving. Continue reading »