Each day our interactions with the world are made up of cues, symbols, and affordances. These contextual helpers can inform us to perform the desired task. Among common related tools a system exists. Systems that, by design, inform their users with pattern, hierarchy, and abstraction.
What follows is a symbol system for the stewardship of existing donors - Linkage, Involvement, and Advocacy.
LINKAGE
Within a sector or community, the limited number of resources are shared among those who care to take part. These resources can be relationships, past experiences, consumable goods, interest, and so many more. To know the similarities between a donor and an organization is to understand the potential for opportunity. Link a donor to the organization in as many ways as possible and in doing so, create opportunity for that donor to give. These two shapes are independent, yet they form around the same center. This similarity represents commonality between them.
INVOLVEMENT
Each organization engages its contituency groups to participate for different reasons. The programs the organization provides, the fundraising methods they employ, and their outreach efforts all provide opportunities for interested parties to engage with the organization to support the mission. The donor’s level of involvement in the organization is directly related to the strength of that donor. The multiple overlapping lines signifies the multifaceted opportunity set an organization provides to its donors.
ADVOCACY
Within the organization, efforts are made to continue to strengthen programs and to raise funds. These efforts are at the heart of what keeps an organization running. Beyond the organization however, outside of its walls and existing circles, advocacy work is done. Organizational evangilists spread the mission and vision of the organization, providing those people the opportunity to become involved. The repeating lines speak to the advocacy that occurs beyond the organization’s walls and existing circles.
