How to Locate Past Donors & Donor Plaques (And 3 Reasons It's Important)
Why You Must Locate and Preserve Past Donor Plaques
Failing to know where your donor plaques are—or worse, discovering they’ve gone missing—can do more than just harm your reputation. It can jeopardize your donor relationships and damage the integrity of your charitable organization.
We’ve heard real horror stories from clients: a proud donor brings their family to see the plaque recognizing their gift, only to find it missing. Often, the plaque wasn’t removed intentionally—it was simply misplaced, hidden behind a file cabinet, or gathering dust in storage.
But this isn’t just about lost signage. It’s about lost relationships. That’s why we created the Recognition Location Program—to ensure all plaques are accounted for, honored, and maintained.
1. Not Knowing Who Your Past Donors Are Weakens Your Position
One of the unspoken promises of donor recognition is permanence—that their contribution and name will be honored indefinitely, unless otherwise stated. When donors fear their legacy will fade, their motivation to give diminishes.
Demonstrating long-term respect for donors builds trust and credibility—especially with current and future supporters. Need help finding new donors? Start with honoring the old.
2. Past Donors Are Always Great Prospects
Donor history is one of your most powerful tools. Past supporters often feel a strong connection to your mission. Even if the donor has passed, their family may want to continue the legacy.
Locating plaques could uncover opportunities to re-engage former donors or connect with their next of kin.
3. Understanding Past Giving Patterns
By documenting and studying your plaque history, you gain valuable insights into how past donors have supported your organization. This helps you:
Identify donor trends
Refine your fundraising strategies
See what messaging or campaigns have resonated most
4. Neglected Plaques Can Undermine Future Giving
Imagine showing a potential major donor around your facility and finding a plaque hidden behind a coat rack or plant. It sends a message—intentional or not—that past donors are no longer valued.
Donor recognition should always be visible and dignified. That includes upkeep. Check out our guide on how to clean and refurbish donor plaques to keep them looking their best.
Final Thoughts
Losing track of donor plaques isn’t just an aesthetic problem—it’s a relationship issue. Donors, past and present, want to know that their contributions matter.
The Recognition Location Program is your proactive solution to:
Preserve donor relationships
Identify re-engagement opportunities
Maintain your facility’s reputation
Ensure ongoing trust and transparency
Need help auditing your current plaques or setting up a plan? Contact us and we’ll help you get started.