Are you 18 months or less from your capital campaign close date? If so, now is the time to focus on your donor recognition strategy. To achieve capital campaign success as well as the highest return on investment, your strategy should include the key steps below. However, addressing these steps takes time. And while 18 months or even a year seems like a lot of time, it is often barely adequate to accomplish all that needs to be done.
Studies show that implementing a solid donor recognition strategy prior to the campaign close increases donations by 10% or more. Don’t put it off until it’s too late and opportunities have been missed. Let’s get started today.
Whether it is a committee, your board, or just you, it’s time to get started on the decision-making process for your donor recognition display.
When will your campaign end? Have you set an unveiling date for your donor recognition display? Do you have other events planned around donor recognition, and if so, have you set dates for these?
Start the conversation about your recognition budget. Where is the money for the display going to come from? How do you determine how much money to spend? What are the options for obtaining additional funding?
If this involves decision-making outside of your organization, you need to be having this discussion now to ensure your display is in a prominent and appropriate location.
What does area naming look like? Are there any major naming opportunities outstanding? Or are there any major donors looking for an opportunity?
Need some inspiration for your naming recognition opportunities, check out our naming opportunities page.
How will the design speak to your cause? To your recognition needs? What environmental elements need to be considered in the design? How will the design accommodate future needs?
Are your donor lists up to date? Do you have, or do you need to obtain, donor permissions for displaying their names publicly (i.e. for area naming, donor walls, etc.)? Are your recognition giving levels current or do they need to be reviewed?
How can you leverage the time left in your campaign to utilize all opportunities for additional donations? For donor wall sponsorship? For closing those remaining major donors?
Finishing up a capital campaign? Learn the 4 best practices to implement for capital campaign success.
Do you need help drafting an RFP? Do you have a timeline set for the vendor selection process?
A vendor who deals solely in donor recognition can provide significant guidance and expertise in all of the above processes, lightening your workload considerably.
While the donor recognition display itself doesn’t have to be installed until the campaign closes, your donor recognition strategy can never be started too early.
Why? Because you want to receive the maximum return on your investment in a donor recognition display not just today, but in the future as well.
That’s where we come in. Our process can make your process effortless and effective. Give us a call and let’s get started!
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