Electronic donor recognition. The key to success is in the planning.

13 February, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Electronic Donor Recognition Display - University of Minnesota

Multimedia recognition display at the University of Minnesota. The key to success is in the planning.

Electronic donor recognition is now used by leading non-profit organizations throughout the world and it is fast becoming an essential element of any donor recognition program.

The superior attraction capabilities of electronic donor recognition displays enable nonprofits to engage and recognize donors, contributors, volunteers and board members with video, audio, photographs and text, in a fashion that not only saves time, but also save space. And because the digital displays are quick and easy to update from any Web-connected computer, they are always current.

Donor names and profiles, major donor recognition, current and historical video, giving programs, fundraising events,  volunteer opportunities and success stories are just a few of the options available with electronic recognition displays, which are really limited only by your imagination.

The key to building a beautiful and successful electronic recognition display is in the planning, not just to make sure you meet your budgetary and time-line objectives, but also to be certain that it remains a relevant and engaging destination at your organization for years to come.

Key questions to consider when planning your electronic donor recognition display include:

  • Is your organization ready for electronic recognition?
  • Location, Location, Location! Where will you set up your display for maximum exposure?
  • Content Is King! What content do you have? What will you develop?
  • Will your display be touch screen or self-cycling?
  • Will your display be integrated or self-standing?
  • Will you integrate your recognition display with your Web site?
  • How will you select a vendor?
  • How will you handle day-to-day content updates?
  • How will you market your new display and your important messages?

Read More: 10 To-Do’s To Ensure Your Electronic Recognition Display Informs, Inspires, Impresses and Involves!

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Town of Hanover P & H Centre donor recognition project includes multiple components

2 February, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Hanover Donor Recognition DisplayThe Town of Hanover contracted Planned Legacy to design and fabricate a donor recognition project for the P & H CENTRE: Home of the Hanover Honda Arena & Regional Aquatic Centre, sports and recreation facility.

Unveiled in September 2010, the project includes three major components:

  • a donor recognition wall with an integrated interactive touch-screen multimedia presentation
  • 71 individual facility naming pieces
  • an illuminated exterior roadside sign

The donor recognition wall is the central feature in entry lobby visible from the first and second floors.  It is designed to infuse the space with a sense of athletic energy and forward movement, representing not only the physical action, strength and spirit of community sports and recreation, but also the Hanover community working together towards their visions for the future of the complex – which would not exist without the support of donors.

Designed to be evocative without being literal, the 25’ wide by 6’ high wall used fluid lines, subtle graphic print imagery and LED edge lighting to represent the overall spirit of the complex through tangible elements such as water and ice to more abstract qualities such as community support, a rich history, team spirit and human endurance.

The look and feel was created by printing an “energy explosion” graphic on acrylic. Vibrant colors and vectors provide a sense of energy and vitality, and different sized fonts for giving categories add to the perception of depth. The smoothness of the design is intended to act as a foil, contrasting the rough textured block which fills much of the space. CNC technology provided clean and crisp lines.

The multimedia presentation includes three modules:

  • Parks and Recreation
  • Donor Recognition
  • News and Events

Dynamic content featured on the display includes history, information about the new facilities, and activity schedules which will help eliminate paper bulletins.  Future gifts to the facility, including seat sponsorships in the new arena, will also be acknowledged through the multimedia presentation.

Over 71 individual recognition plaques are spread throughout the facility, recognizing key partnerships for sponsored areas.  The tiered acrylic plaques compliment the look and feel of the main wall with donor names and institutional logos applied in a monochromatic palate with vinyl graphics.  For the named areas in the arena proper, floor decals were incorporated, as the client wanted to avoid commercializing the visual space surrounding the ice rink.

The exterior signage follows the same inspiring principles used for the recognition wall.  A monochromatic red LED was chosen for the display.  Considerations were made to resurface and reuse the existing base for the installation.

“Planned Legacy provided professional leadership and insight for our donor wall and recognition signage project. Throughout our project, Planned Legacy demonstrated their commitment to building a strong client relationship to ensure the expectations of our Committee members were achieved. The end result was a unique design and quality product.”

— Sherri Walden,
Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture
Town of Hanover, Ontario

For more detailed information on the Town of Hanover donor recognition project please call Planned Legacy Toll Free at 1.866.882.3580 or e-mail [email protected].

Filed Under: Multimedia Displays Tagged With: , , , , ,

Planned Legacy creates three new integrated donor recognition displays for Benefis Health System

1 February, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Recently, Benefis Health System completed construction of its new Patients Tower, a seven story, $85 million project that features some of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities in the US Midwest.

An important element of the project was the requirement for a series of recognition and historical displays that would match the innovation and architecture of the new hospital.

The project involved the design, fabrication and installation of three unique integrated displays, each incorporating interactive multimedia presentations along with architectural design that embraced the local geography, while also communicating the messages of the Benefis organization the respective display represented.

The recognition project included a large main floor recognition display, a smaller self-standing enclosure, and a second floor recognition display, each of which feature an interactive multimedia presentation that provides visitors with a comprehensive overview on the Benefis Healthcare Foundation. Modules in the presentation include:

•    About The Benefis Healthcare Foundation
•    Our Sincere Thanks (Donor Recognition)
•    How Your Gifts Work Wonders (Physician & Patient Testimonials)
•    The Gift of Time (Volunteer Recognition)
•    Calendar of Events

As well, when the multimedia presentation screen has been idle for a period of time a screen saver engages that can show a scrolling list of donors, Mission Statement or other call to action.

Headquartered in Great Falls, Montana, Benefis Health System serves over 15 counties and more than 225,000 residents. Benefis is also the largest non-governmental employer in the greater Great Falls area with over 2,300 employees.

For more detailed information on the Benefis Health System donor recognition project please call Planned Legacy Toll Free at 1.866.882.3580 or e-mail [email protected].

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U of M Faculty of Engineering celebrates 100th Anniversary with new Engineering and Information Technology Complex, Donor Wall

28 May, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba planned its new Engineering and Information Technology Complex (EITC) they wanted a donor wall that not only honored contributors to the project’s capital campaign and celebrated the Faculty’s 100th Anniversary, but also one that reflected the school’s technical leadership and innovation.

Working from a concept design developed by Stantec Engineering, the EITC architects, Planned Legacy realized early in the process that taking a drawing of a 50’ long, illuminated glass wall from paper to reality would present significant challenges, but none that could not be overcome.

First, the Planned Legacy team had to create a system that would provide even lighting without hot spots over the wall’s entire length and height. This meant sourcing a special flat paint to diffuse light off the back wall and designing light enclosures that would allow easy access for maintenance and sufficient ventilation. Additionally, because the spacing for lighting was limited, a North American search was required for 24 fixtures small enough to fit into a confined area.

In addition to addressing the lighting challenge, Planned Legacy also needed to engineer a structure that would support 12 large 10 ml glass panels, each about 200 lbs. in a manner that would be stable but still allow for some natural shifting.

To make things even more interesting, part of the wall was situated beside a staircase with only 16” of access. And finally, working closely with a high end graphics company, Planned Legacy was able to devise a method of applying the donor names and other information to the glass panels seamlessly, using the correct shade of red.

The end result is a striking recognition display that achieves all of the technical and aesthetic objectives set out, on time and on budget!

For more detailed information on the University of Manitoba Faculty of Engineering donor wall project  please call Planned Legacy Toll Free at 1.866.882.3580 or e-mail [email protected].

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