The generosity of your patrons makes it possible to carry out your mission and enhance the lives of others, so why not show your gratitude with a magnificent donor wall?
Donor recognition projects often have many moving parts and they can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, with the right guidance and information, you can create an eye-catching donor wall that reflects your deep appreciation and inspires giving, too.
Read on for six tried-and-true best practices to bring your recognition display to life and make it a valuable tool for donor stewardship.
1. Begin planning well in advance.
It’s best to treat donor walls and recognition signage as you would any other complex project. Establish a clear decision-making process and allow plenty of time for review and feedback. Start by collaborating with staff members, architects, and other key team members to develop a plan for integrating donor recognition into your capital plan. Ideally, this collaborative planning process should take place at least a year before the wall design process is slated to begin.
2. Establish a budget and stick to it.
Although many donor recognition displays are installed on the fly or as an afterthought, you’ll get the best results if you take the time to envision your donor wall and secure the resources to create it. The industry standard is to budget 1% of the campaign goal for post-campaign donor recognition, but your organization may opt for more or less than that amount, depending upon the size and complexity of the display you’re planning.
3. Choose a theme.
Before your dive into designing your donor wall, give careful thought to the overall message you want to convey. This theme will tie everything together and help prevent you from veering off track. More than a simple list of names, the best recognition displays represent an organization’s mission and vision. Consider questions such as: Is your organization forward-thinking or is it more traditional and family-oriented? Are you focused on the arts or sciences? If your institution has a long history, do you want to celebrate that richness in your display?
4. Who do you want to recognize?
As you consider your various benefactors, there are likely a number of people and organizations that have made important contributions, such as:
- Major donors: At a minimum, these patrons should have their names prominently posted on your display
- Planned gifts: These donations are usually among the largest that nonprofits receive, so these generous patrons should definitely be included in any donor recognition effort
- Capital campaigns: If you raised money to construct or renovate a building or other aspect of your property, consider placing a recognition wall there to publicly thank your donors for their generosity
- In-kind donors: If you hosted an event, you probably received some form of in-kind donations from various sponsors, such as the venue, food, or auction items
- Sponsorships: Be sure to thank all of the businesses and organizations that support your events or contribute to your campaigns
5. Where will you place your donor wall?
Your new recognition display will likely vie for space with other installations. Today’s contemporary building designs don’t offer as much wall space as older buildings do and lobbies have gotten smaller, too. That means you may have to get creative to secure the right place to install your gorgeous new recognition display. The talented designers at Adler Display have the expertise to configure your donor wall design to suit your available space.
6. Consider incorporating a digital display.
Multi-sensory donor wall displays that include videos, touchscreens, and audio options allow visitors to consume content in ways they find personally meaningful. You can also use digital media to illustrate how your values and those of your most generous donors are aligned. Broadcast video segments of donor interviews, ribbon cuttings, and footage of donation dollars in action to depict a memorable, one-of-a-kind viewer experience.
It takes many hands to make your non-profit great. A well-designed donor wall is a great way to reward your current patrons and encourage prospective benefactors to give to future campaigns. With some ingenuity and thoughtful planning, you can create a donor wall that gives your patrons the recognition they deserve without breaking the bank.
If you’re seeking to create a donor wall that fits your culture, budget, and space, Adler Display is here to help. Offering an extraordinary selection of cost-effective materials and innovative design approaches, our talented team will craft the ideal solution. Contact us today to get started!
About Adler Display: For over 85 years, Adler Display has been one of the best-kept secrets behind so many businesses looking their best. Designing and producing a wide variety of high-quality recognition displays, trade show displays, signage and exhibits, lobby and corporate interiors, and historical timelines, Adler’s expert team includes consultants, designers, project managers, and fabricators. Working from a 17,000-square-foot facility in Baltimore that includes a precision woodworking shop, Adler Display handles all printing, construction, and finishing on site. Learn how to achieve your imaging goals and make your business look amazing at: www.AdlerDisplay.com.
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