Before

As the leading resource for donor relations professionals, ADRP offers new and innovative ideas for pushing the bounds of what is possible in the field. With that in mind, my co-presenter, designer Ben Dudek, and I felt compelled to share a bold new project in which we reimagined the very concept of a donor wall.

Rather than simply sharing the story of the project, our webinar goal was to develop a set of universally applicable models and tools to help attendees reconceptualize donor walls at their own organizations, regardless of budget or size of shop. We set out strategies for thoughtfully incorporating diverse perspectives from the outset of a project to ensure an inclusive design that resonates with all. We also shared insights on courting key stakeholders, securing their buy-in to set an innovative concept on the path to success.

During 

Ben specializes in designing bespoke art installations and is a trained architect, so he was uniquely positioned to talk about the design challenges of making a list of donor names engaging and inspiring, and the intricacies of design strategies for annual updates. Meanwhile, as a donor relations practitioner with a background in museums and degrees in art history, I speak both “languages” and could translate design concepts into the day-to-day reality of a philanthropy office.

After

It was enormously gratifying to enter in a lively dialogue with webinar attendees following the session. Breaking away from the traditional donor recognition wall format is an ambition shared by colleagues at organizations across the board. We were able to offer an open invitation to come to Boston to visit our newly installed project, which we extend to you too!

The ADRP webinar series is a professional development member benefit that enhances skills, knowledge, and job satisfaction, leading to career advancement and increased productivity. In its 15th full year of programming, ADRP is proud to bring monthly webinars to our members throughout 2025. Consult the schedule and be sure to register early, as webinars often sell out.