As Donor Recognition Consultants, we base our work on
Best Practices for Donor Recognition™, which we have identified
through more than 23 years of experience working with fundraisers.
Although we number these Best Practices below, most organizations
approach their integration in an order of events that reflects their
own immediate needs and long term goals.
- Catalogued Audit of Existing Donor
Recognition*: This database
should be made available to all persons involved in donor relations
and stewardship, allowing them to research past recognition of a
specific donor or to research comparable recognition components.
If available to you, an intranet will facilitate shared access to this
important database.
- Inventoried Recognition Opportunities
Master Plan*: As Naming Opportunities
are identified and as reservations for spaces are made, they should
be recorded in a matrix that can be sorted in numerous ways. This
level of coordination saves dollars and maximizes the impact of
donor recognition on fundraising.
- Recognizable Graphic Identity for
Philanthropy*: A unique program
of recognition components should be established that will become
recognized as the "face of philanthropy" within your organization.
- Consistent Messaging & Content Hierarchy: Messaging
should be directed by the organization's standards dictating approved
etiquette for the listing of names, use of logos, word choice, punctuation
and relative position and size of content components.
- Documented "Standards & Guidelines":
Standards and guidelines, as they are established, should be documented
and disseminated.
- Budgeted Product Solutions*:
Establishing budgets early for what recognition elements "should"
cost within your organization will expedite product design and implementation
processes and will allow the "receiving entity" (those
to benefit from the gift) to anticipate recognition expenses move
effectively.
- Programmed Re-Order & Maintenance Procedures:
As recognition products are ordered, it should be mandatory that
suppliers provide sufficient documentation of the material specifications
and maintenance procedures for the products used at your facility.
*
Most useful in early needs assessments of campaign planning
Improving the Practices in Your Organization
Incorporating Best Practices for Donor Recognition™ into your
procedures requires understanding by us of where your organization is today.
First, we learn about you: the purpose of your fundraising effort,
the core messages you need to communicate with each giving program
and gift level, and the graphic identity you use.
Next, we look at your current donor recognition programs. By documenting
what already exists and what has and hasn’t been successful,
we’re able to build strategies that coordinate with and improve
upon existing programs.
We gather and study your written donor recognition policy to understand
completely the practices that define your relationship to your donors.
Finally, we discuss budgets and resources. This allows us to plan
in ways that make the best use of your budget and of your staffing,
production and program maintenance capabilities.
The results of the work together are made evident through a series of written documents
that codify the thinking that will direct the eventual design process. Designs
are developed based on the architecture of your site, the specifics
of your programs, your ability to maintain and update the displays
and your budget.
When our work is complete, you’ll have:
- A documented policy that details all aspects of your giving program
and recognition initiatives;
- Unique design solutions serving to celebrate current philanthropy,
encourage new and continued giving, and are adapt to meet future
goals;
- A systematic approach that is versatile, architecturally appropriate
and allows reliable budgetary planning into the future.