Conservancy of Southwest Florida
“We benefited immensely from the outstanding expertise of Anne and her team at Heurista. From initial concept discussions through vendor selection to the process management system, our donor recognition and signage program in support of our campaign has been a terrific success. Anne has been a valued partner in creating a meaningful recognition program that will benefit our organization for years to come”.
– Rob Moher, President and CEO Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Located within the city limits of Naples, Florida, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida presents visitors with range of experiences and stresses conservation of the natural environment.
Interpretive signs and donor recognition are combined in the natural environment, highlighting the role of the philanthropy.
The Conservancy’s recent campaign raised $38.5 million dollars, more than double the amount they’d been told was possible. This allowed for the full renovation of the campus, including five new buildings using many energy-saving features and expanded activities for visitors. The campaign broadened the endowment, preserved habitat, and created new programs furthering the Conservancy’s mission to protect the water, land and wildlife of Southwest Florida.
Conservancy fundraisers and volunteer leadership were committed to making donor recognition an integrated part of the Conservancy experience, clearly communicating that philanthropy is critical to their work and accomplishments. The donor recognition program was designed to provide prominent meaningful storytelling about the donors and their commitment to the Conservancy.
The Eva Sugden Gomez Sustainability Plaza educates visitors on ways to conserve energy and build with less impact on the environment.
A central outdoor display welcomes visitors and provides recognition for lifetime, planned and annual giving, along with recognition for naming programs, funds and areas or activities on the Nature Center campus. These stories are told in context with photos of scientists, policy advocates and visitors, providing an accurate picture of the ways that philanthropic support leads to mission-driven outcomes.
Similar displays are situated in each of the facilities and throughout the campus, contributing to the visitors understanding of the conservation effort and scientific research and advocacy for which the organization is known.
Donor recognition throughout the campus is built with long term usefulness in mind, planning for current and future donors.
Anne Manner-McLarty coordinated with the architects and other sign consultants, and managed content development, detailing and fabrication. “It was a privilege to work with Wilderness Graphics, the staff at the Conservancy and all who were involved. This project was more collaborative, and the result more specific to the client and their needs, than any other I have experienced.”
Displays throughout the campus, make use of large format print graphics, durable materials and flexible systems for growth and expansion. The model allows for growth and change over time, thus keeping the recognition current with Conservancy messaging. In house staff is able to maintain the design and expansion of the program in direct relationship with the builders.
Donor stories are integrated with interpretive information, making the passion of the philanthropists a part of the overall message.
The donor recognition, wayfinding and interpretive sign programs were installed in two phases, aligned with construction on the fully renovated campus. A complete inventory of naming opportunities, both facility and program/endowment based, is maintained for easy of coordination over time.
Donor have responded positively to the stories throughout the campus and the recognition signs are appreciated by visitors as a part of the overall experience.