Awards & Recognition Thesaurus

Award & Recognition Thesaurus
Sometimes we are just stumped, or we don't want to be repetitive, or we just need another way to say it. Perhaps some of these common words used in an award inscription can help you out.

ABILITY - talent, intellect, aptitude, propensity, inclination
ACCOMPLISHMENT - fulfillment, completion, achievement, realization, attainment, triumph, victory, success, consummation
ACHIEVEMENT - attainment, accomplishment, consummation, realization, triumph success
APPRECIATION - thankfulness, gratefulness, obliged, indebted, gratitude, regard, esteem, respect
ASSISTANCE - support, aid, help, to serve, collaborating with, contribution
ASSISTANT - aide, helper, acolyte, friend, associate, colleague, second in command, patron, backer, ancillary, adjutant, partner, co-worker, ally
BEAUTIFUL - lovely, attractive, comely, pretty, elegant, superb, grand, handsome, radiant, ravishing, gorgeous
BELOVED - loved, adored, worshiped, cherished, dear, favorite, precious, treasured, darling, endeared, valued
BEST - finest, high-test, first, premium, crowning, incomparable, greatest, top-notch, unequaled, choice
CAREFULLY - conscientiously, exactly, rigidly, precisely, fastidiously
CEREMONY - function, commemoration, memorial, rite, ritual, pageant, observance
CERTIFY - guarantee, attest, confirmed, endorse, assure
COMMEND - accredit, laud, acclaim, endorse, recommend, approve, acclaim
CONTINUED - sustained, perseverance, perpetual, sanctioning, enduring, on-going, unrelenting, extended
CONTRIBUTION - endowment, commitments, donation, sharing, supplying, present, bestowal, charity
COOPERATION - collaboration, participation, alliance, assistance, team-work, concurrence
Dedication - devotion, efforts, untiring efforts, commitment
DEPENDABLE - trustworthy, mainstay, anchor, confidant, patron, reliable, faithful, loyal, unfailing, true
DETERMINATION - resolution, certainty, persistence, conviction, steadfastness, perseverance, intransigence
DEVELOP - extend, expand, advance, promote, build, enrich, cultivate
DILIGENT - zealous, energetic, vigorous, undeviating, assiduous, unremitting, intense, industrious, persistent
DISTINGUISHED - illustrious, venerable, renowned, honored, celebrated, esteemed, remarkable, outstanding, great, extraordinary
EDUCATION - edification, enrichment, teaching, instruction, enlightenment, tutelage, knowledge
EFFORT - endeavor, labor, work, undertaking, venture, task commitment, exertion
EMPHASIS - underline, dramatize, pronounce, accentuate, underscore, punctuate
ENDURING - lasting, permanent, surviving, continual, unchanging, uninterrupted, tenacious, perennial, tolerating
ESTABLISH - institute, found, formulate, construct, organize, inaugurate, start, bring about
EXCELLENT - magnificent, supreme, peerless, foremost, exemplary, desirable, paramount, superior, superlative, exceptional, tremendous, wonderful
FRIENDSHIP - association, brotherhood, companionship, confidant
GIVE - grant, bestow, confer, impart, present, award, convey, contribute to, lavish upon
GUIDANCE - direction, leadership, supervision, management, oversight, suggestion, counsel
HAPPY - joyous, merry, convivial, congenial, mirthful, charmed, spirited
INSTILL - infuse, impress, inspire
INVOLVEMENT - link, connection, participation, affiliation, commitment
JUDGMENT - knowledge, discrimination, understanding, perception, acuteness, keenness, intuition
KINDNESS - good intentions, consideration, helpfulness, indulgence, courtesy, thoughtfulness, altruism, graciousness
LEADERSHIP - administration, authority, foresight, command, supremacy
NOBLE - honorable, heroic, brilliant, excellent, princely, magnanimous, courtly, dignified, splendid, exalted, distinguished
OUTSTANDING - notable, distinguished, highly regarded, impressive, worthy, considerable, enthusiastic
PATIENCE - forbearance, fortitude, composure, endurance
PRAISE - applaud, cheer, acclaim, endorse, eulogize, admire
PRESENTED - awarded, bestowed, conferred, given, endowed, delivered
PROFIT - benefit, thrive, prosper, gain
PROMOTE - advance, forward, encourage, expand, nourish, improve, bolster
RECOGNITION - in acknowledgment of, remembrance, acknowledgment, commendation
RESPECT - esteem, honor, regard, admiration
RETIREMENT - withdrawal, resignation, departure
SERVICE - assistance, cooperation, performance of duty, help, servitude
SINCERELY - truthfully, honestly, earnestly, genuinely, profoundly
SPECIAL - exceptional, distinctive, unusual, unique, exclusive, extraordinary
SUPPORT - upkeep, responsibility for, provide, promote, sustain, further, maintain, patronize, subsidize
THANKS - appreciation, gratefulness, acknowledgment, gratitude

I'm sure there are a bunch of others out there. Any other ideas we could add to the list?

Interactive Donor Recognition

Walking into a hospital, one would see the donor recognition wall, perhaps the old school style with a tree and brass plates, or perhaps one of the newer more contemporary styles with corian name bars and an elaborate colorful design. But all of these traditional displays were static, you walked by and nothing really called out to you.

Now there is a whole new generation of donor recognition walls brought to you by donor award experts like RCB that takes advantage of  technology to not only tell the donor's story, but also to draw attention to the display and get more visitors to really lilsten to the message. Imagine walking up to a display and touching a button next to a name and having the donor tell you in his own words and image why the hospital was important in his life, why he made a major contribution, and why he is asking for others to step forward. Clearly, this is no longer just a wall, but now it is a major marketing piece, one that works all day and all night for you. RCB Awards can even take it a step further, and use touch screen displays that allow a viewer to touch a name on the screen and have it zoom out into a video of the person telling his story. While idle, the same screen can show a looping message from the Foundation about what it does. The ideas are endless. Pretty neat stuff. For donor wall ideas and trends, see: RCB Donor Recognition. For more information, contact RCB Awards at 1-800-929-9110.

Donor Recognition in the Community: Waukesha Civic Theater

 

I recently had lunch with Beverly Peterson, Director of Development at the Waukesha Civic Theatre (WCT). At first glance, the old converted movie theater, located downtown in the heart of Waukesha, looks like a sleepy laid back little community venue. But after taking a closer look, this clearly is a very professionally run organization. When you walk in the front door the first thing you see is the main wall of the lobby that displays a huge mask, the logo of the organization, and the title Bryce and Anne Styza Donor Wall.  Clearly, the organization values donor recognition as it lists all the names of contributors from two capital campaigns. The first capital campaign in 1999 renovated the building by converting it from an old movie theater to a state-of-the-art community theatre facility that is handicap accessible not only to patrons, but to performers as well.  The Waukesha Civic Theatre maintained the integrity of the 1920’s movie theatre décor and incorporated it into their renovations. An additional campaign in 2006 allowed for further renovations to the north end of the building creating more rehearsal space and theatre arts education class space.  There is an additional donor recognition wall in the back of the theatre building for those entering from Riverfront Plaza. In wandering around the building, one sees very quickly that naming rights are a prized commodity.  Anything thing from dressing rooms, to rehearsal rooms, to even stairs are named for donors who contributed to the capital campaign. The building is named after Margaret Brate Bryant, and the mainstage is named after her daughter, Andrea Bryant Jones.  These naming rights were due to contributions by family members, Tony and Andrea Bryant, as well as John Bryant during the first campaign.  There are currently a few spaces available for naming rights.  The Waukesha Civic Theatre annual operating budget depends on 60% being raised through season subscriptions and 40% through fundraising opportunities. This gives everyone in the community a chance to contribute, and be recognized through show playbills, WCT website and  print media advertisement. . Additionally, planned giving programs provide valuable tax benefits to the donor as well as much needed income for the future of WCT. Bequests may be made through a will or other options which include charitable trusts and beneficiary designation attached to a tax-deferred retirement asset. Corporate Sponsors aren't left out either. A business or individual has multiple opportunities to partner with the theatre by  sponsoring shows and events from small amounts to very substantial amounts. All of these donations come with a recognition component and it’s pretty comprehensive. The theatre is still left with a wish list from anything like audio systems, to light board, to curtains in dressing room, and everything in between. This little theatre is no little theater, but a great example of how to do recognition right, and how to realize a huge percentage of their operating budget as a result. For more information on how you can help the Waukesha Civic Theatre, please contact Beverly Peterson, Director of Development at bpeterson@waukeshacivictheatre.org or checkout their website at www.waukeshacivictheatre.org.