Learn how collaborative planning, functional adaptability, placemaking, and a comprehensive donor recognition system set up CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital for fundraising success.

"Thinking Beyond the Wall" - A case study of a donor recognition sculpture inspired by SMU's live mascot Peruna, a miniature Shetland pony with a huge personality and unstoppable energy that represents the enduring symbol of the SMU spirit.

We take a closer look at donor recognition walls, their significance to an organization’s culture of philanthropy, the value of placemaking, and the importance of "thinking beyond the wall" with non-traditional donor recognition sculptures.

By embracing the power of digital in donor recognition, organizations can revolutionize how they acknowledge and engage current and future potential donors. This blog post explores the benefits of digital donor recognition walls and how they can transform your donor recognition strategy.

This blog post will delve into how using Giftmap, an innovative data and mapping tool created by PDG, to manage donor-named spaces and promote naming opportunities can enhance your fundraising efforts. With Giftmap, you can raise funds more quickly, strengthen donor relationships, and create lasting legacies.

In order to create a successful donor recognition wall, it's crucial to establish a strong foundation and a clear vision from the start. Designing donor recognition requires careful consideration and planning. It's important to recognize that your initial vision will develop and enhance as you progress, and our team will be there to help you every step of the way. In this blog post, we'll explore the dos and don’ts of donor recognition wall design to help ensure that your wall is a success.

When designed and executed effectively, donor recognition walls can create a sense of community, foster donor loyalty, and inspire future giving. Here are some tips and strategies for engaging donors through your recognition wall.

In this blog post, we discuss ways that exterior donor recognition can be a powerful tool for connecting donors to your organization and show you examples of some of our favorite outdoor projects. 

At PDG, we know that reinforcing the connection your organization has with its donors is important to you. It's part of your mission, and because it is important to you, it is important to us. We’d like to share some of our favorite projects and success stories with you. In this post and on our Gallery pages and our Work pages, you'll find 50+ examples representing different categories of our work.

Incorporating digital content into your recognition solves common problems that donor relations professionals face daily. Donor list work aside, the instantly updatable, storytelling content playing on an experiential, attention-grabbing hybrid display delivers a message that will change how you think about donor walls.

History walls and timeline displays not only transport the viewer back in time using pictures, videos, and artifacts, they have a much deeper meaning. At their core, these displays honor the connection between hospitals and the communities they serve. History walls and timeline displays are visual representations that better connect donors to the transformational impact of their giving over decades. These walls engage, inspire, and lead others to follow in the footsteps of the donors who came before them.

Whether you’re preparing for a campaign, major renovation, or simply trying to improve your naming opportunities workflow, an on-site audit is a smart idea. This blog post discusses the on-site donor recognition audit process, why the audits are important, and what solutions they provide for your donor relations and stewardship team.

Often, we are asked, “What is the BEST way to recognize donors?” Before we can effectively answer this question, we must acknowledge that donor recognition is not a one size fits all process.

Named spaces are a great way to reinforce long-term relationships with your donors. As part of a thorough fundraising and stewardship plan, they can be the glue that connects your donor's passion to your cause for a generation.

As an experiential design and build studio specializing in donor recognition for hospitals, universities, and exterior spaces, PDG recognizes the importance of creating a sense of place in the installations we collaboratively design with our clients. We often ask, “How do you want visitors to experience this space?”

Imagine having the ability to create a dynamic inventory of your naming opportunities and recognition elements, while simultaneously giving your Gift Officers the power to prepare perfectly tailored presentations in minutes using their laptop or tablet.

We were inspired to create our own platform – a CMS program built from the start with you, the donor relations professional, in mind. The process of updating and maintaining a digital donor wall no longer needs to be intimidating.

The renderings are in your hands and your fundraising team has done an amazing job securing donors for your new project. Now it is time to shift your focus toward your donor family and finalize a plan to express your appreciation to those that are making this new project possible. In this post, we will outline 5 key components when planning your donor recognition.

6 considerations when designing your digital donor recognition wall.

Are you starting to plan recognition for a new capital project? Perhaps you’re preparing to revamp your current recognition. Maybe you just need some inspiration. In any case, let’s take a look at a few systems of recognition.

We’ve found ourselves in a digital age and you may wonder if your institution’s donor recognition should match the expectations of our digital environments. Incorporating digital displays into your donor walls is an attractive option, but are pixels commensurate recognition for major donors?

If we could dream up a perfect donor recognition system, a broad wish list with no constraints, it might look like this: