1. 1
Jumping Into the Digital Donor
Recognition Pond
Lynne M. Wester
Director of Stewardship and
Donor Recognition
Yeshiva University

2. Evaluation
• What: Do you already have?
• Why: Is it not working for you?
• Why: Do you need an electronic
recognition wall?
• What: Can an electronic recognition
wall do for you, that your current one
can’t?
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 2

3. Traditional
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 3

4. The Whys
• BIG WHY: B Current wall had become dated and was
becoming too difficult to maintain and update every
year.
• BIGGER WHY: More control over the process and
we wanted our wall to be more than just a list of
names.
• BIGGEST WHY: Costingtoo much money to update
our old wall and needed to find a better way.
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 4

5. COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 5

6. Compromise!
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 6

7. The Story
• Its primary purposes are recognition of
the basketball team captains, honoring
the longstanding coach and an ongoing
celebration of the Maccabees
basketball team.
• “We want a plaque that tells a story!”
– Insert awkward pause
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 7

8. COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 8
Making the Case
• The lively subject matter and the need
to add content over time are a good
match for electronic media.
• Looking for an appropriate test case for
digital recognition in Yeshiva's very
tradition-driven culture.
• Demonstrating that not every
recognition story is best told through a
hefty bronze plaque.

9. Budget and RFP
• This is the most MOST important part of the project. Your RFP will
set the tone!
• Your RFP should contain the following:
• What you plan to do with your electronic recognition wall.
• How you expect it to improve your fundraising goals, if any.
• Be clear with who your donors are and how many you have.
• How you plan to use the electronic recognition wall.
• How you expect to interact with the maintenance of the wall (a web-based
program that’s already been created or do you expect a personalized Content
Management System that does exactly what you need to do?)
• Be clear about what you expect during development and installation. What
happens after the project is done. Ballpark figures for development, installation,
maintenance and upkeep.
• Overwhelm them with information when it comes to explaining your institution’s
needs and desire to have a recognition wall that makes the most sense for you
financially and concept wise.
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 9

10. TIPS
• Engaging all the teams that will be
involved in a project - marketing, IT,
facilities, and other outside resources
related to the success of the project -
must happen early.
• Many people lose momentum trying to
perfect content by committee before
getting into context with the display.
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 10

11. Standard Choices
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 11

12. Displays
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 12

13. Reality
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 13

14. COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 14

15. COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 15

16. COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 16

17. Intro Screen
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 17

18. Donor Recognition
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 18

19. History
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 19

20. Search!
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 20

21. Calendar
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 21

22. The Whole Truth and Nothing
But the Truth
• Do-overs
• Downsides to an electronic wall
• Life after the unveiling
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 22

23. Questions? Comments
• Lynne Wester
• wester@yu.edu
• www.donorrelationsguru.com
• Friend me on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter @donorguru
COUNCIL FOR ADVANCEMENT AND SUPPORT OF EDUCATION 23