Customer Service Does Not Equal Stewardship

For years I’ve heard references to the retail world with the insinuation that best practices in customer service were applicable to donor stewardship. Surely a few are, like acting with integrity, timeliness and respect. But a key truism – that the customer paid for a product or service while the donor GAVE without any specific promise in return remains an issue that needs to be addressed. I remain convinced that ours is a more complex relationship than that, and one unique to philanthropy.

Engagement, Recognition, StewardshipJeff McLartyOctober 22, 2014TD BankComment

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

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.

Personalizing Online Video for Donor Relations

There is now new technology that allows us to create personalized videos for individual recipients. Most commonly, they use client-supplied lists or user supplied data to interject custom graphics... like names, logos or text...

Centralized Donor Recognition Display

The University of South Carolina and Greenville Health System are in campaign to raise funds, primarily around scholarships, for the medical school. This partnership has posed many questions about donor stewardship. Both USC and GHS have long-standing donor recognition standards, but both were willing to make concessions for this unique entity.

Insights on Video Storytelling for Nonprofits

On February 19, 2014 the AFP Western North Carolina monthly meeting was mesmerized by the work of Trivette Images. Dylan Trivette spoke of the power of creating a custom video for non-profit motivational storytelling and fundraising and shared examples of his work.

Recognition, Storytelling, EngagementAnne Manner-McLartyMarch 11, 2014donor relations, donor recognitionComment

"This room is nicer than my house!" ...Trends in Architectural Design

Of late, every industry is focused on the design of user experiences, but extreme examples can be found in hospital and academic architecture. It's become hard to tell the public spaces in some hospitals from the lobby in a contemporary hotel. And dorm rooms are now nicer than the rooms our kids grew up in. What's behind this phenomenon, what are the benefits of these elaborate environments and who is paying for them?

Centennial Celebration at Tuomey Medical Center

Nearly two years ago, Heurista began working with the Tuomey Medical Center to research and design a history exhibit to launch their centennial celebration. The project was based around a series of historical characters and the custom branding for the centennial year.

Outdoor Donor Recognition Done Right!

Having heard that The Children's Museum of the Upstate is a must-see destination for anyone interested in engaging and informative exhibit design, we called asking for a quick interview. We were awed by the museum and their talent for donor engagement, including the design of an impressive outdoor donor recognition display.

Interview with NEWSEUM's Emily Nicholson

At the Association of Donor Relations Professionals conference in Providence, RI, Anne Manner-McLarty of Heurista interviewed Emily Nicholson about the design and implementation of the Founding Partners interactive recognition kiosks at the NEWSEUM The idea for this interview stemmed from a visit Anne made to the NEWSEUM after hearing of the extent to which the innovative museum uses electronic media for storytelling, both within the exhibits and for donor recognition.

Professionalism, RecognitionAnne Manner-McLartyOctober 2, 2013newseum, interview, anne manner mclarty, ADRP, ADRP presentationsComment

Art Commission: Mission Hospital Centralized Donor Recognition Display

The tile framing the donor recognition components is the work of ceramicist and public artist, Alex Irvine. It was commissioned for this display and features the dogwood and cross icons long associated with the Mission brand. Heurista led the concept development, design, coordination and installation of this donor recognition display and continues to work with the Mission Foundation in developing new content for the interactive media.