There are two key questions that we all want to ask and they both point to donor motivation. The first is why did you give to us? The second is what will motivate you to give to us again? One can be asked, the other should never be asked. If we are to demonstrate understanding of our donors, there are some things we have to figure out without asking.
Read MorePackaging information or the elements of an experience in a familiar “wrap” is often the most efficient and practical means for the donor relations team to brand the messages they prepare. This wrap can be as simple as adding a consistent look or brand to outgoing emails, a two-pocket folder or a regular template for your donor reports.
Read MoreHow often should you communicate with your donors?
As you construct a communication plan, be mindful of the level of intimacy implied by different types of activity or communication channels. Always be respectful of the individual donor’s request for privacy, keeping in mind that there are degrees of anonymity.
Read MoreAs we all well know, the experience surrounding an event starts long before the attendee arrives at the physical location. Events should be designed with the pre- and post-event communication strategies in mind and the experience of those components should be managed and branded with care.
Read MoreCreating and policing graphic standards is not typically within the scope of work assigned to a donor relations team. Most often, donor relations teams work with a variety of materials coming from multiple sources with little opportunity to reformat the information they receive. There may even be specific directives to avoid taking leadership in the expression of the graphic identity for the organization.
Read MoreOriginally founded in 1911 through a gift of $25,000 from Francis Flagg Putney, the Phoebe Health System has grown to serve as the major medical center for Southwest Georgia with multiple campuses and a full range of medical services. When the gift was made, Mr. Putney required three things: that the hospital be built of brick, that it serve anyone regardless of ability to pay, and that it be named for his mother, Phoebe.
Read MoreRecently I had the good fortune to visit the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. I was in heaven–a beautiful building, an excellent and varied collection and a lot of quality donor recognition to think about.
Read MoreThe Youkey Education Plaza was dedicated in honor of Dr. Jerry Youkey, Dean of the USC Medical School at Greenville, and his wife Sharon Youkey, for their tireless support of medical education. It supplies a tasteful new horizon for exterior recognition on the beautiful Greenville Hospital System campus. The exterior program will mean greater opportunity for recognition for both the new medical school and the GHS Foundation.
Read MoreThe Conservancy’s recent campaign raised $38.5 million dollars, more than double the amount they’d been told was possible. This allowed for the full renovation of the campus, including five new buildings using many energy-saving features and expanded activities for visitors.
Read MoreThere is now new technology that allows us to create personalized videos for individual recipients. Most commonly, they use client-supplied lists or user supplied data to interject custom graphics... like names, logos or text...
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