Donors are crucial to the success of any non-profit They provide the funding or volunteer hours to insure the common cause, whatever it maybe, is successful. Donors invest part of themselves to the causes they firmly believe in and they want two things in return for their investment. First, for the non-profit and its cause to be successful. They care about the issue or the suffering other people are going through or they would not be part of the program. They care to the degree they will give hard earned personal funds that they could have given to another cause, but they chose this one as it is dear to their heart. Or, they put in hours of time they could donate elsewhere but they have chosen this project to invest in. Second, they want to be recognized for their contribution(s). You often hear I don't want to be recognized or use the funds for the project instead of recognition. I am here to tell you that is false. If you want the project and the non-profit to grow, you have to recognize the people who are making it happen, be it volunteers or big donors of cash funds. The purpose of this article is not about the pros and cons of donor recognition gifts or how to do it. We can have that discussion later. I want to share with you an idea that I think is unique and impactful. Many non-profit organizations have recognition events, like dinners or other big events where all the donors and volunteers who have made a significant impact to the non-profit gather together. (We will be able to gather in groups again sometime soon) At these events, the attendees are given some type of gift for attending and donating. The challenge is selecting something unique that the participants don't already have or is not significant for the event. Here is the idea that I would like to suggest to you. You bring in a carefully selected artist who will come in, set up shop and paint a unique picture during the event. All the attendees can watch the progress of the work of art while the program for the evening progresses. What to paint? A lot of options. Have the guests decide on some choices, the program front page if it is an attractive image, a picture of what the non-profit does. Our imagination is our only limiting factor. At the conclusion of the evening you have some options as well. It can be given to the non-profit to hang in their offices. It could be raffled off at the event or future event for extra funding. Next, is the unique part of this donor gift. The image is carefully scanned in and copies of the artwork are framed and sent to all of the participants who attended the event with a thank you note. All the frames could be personalized as well to give a more personal touch. The picture would be hung in their home or office. The memory of the event and the cause will be remembered every time the donor looks at the artwork. Visitors would see the unique artwork, learn of the event and its purpose and recognize the recipient again for their involvement in the non-profit. Isn't this what a non-profit wants when you recognize people for all their efforts? I can assist you with this idea or work with you to create other unique donor appreciation gifts. Give me a call.
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