Donor Tree FAQ & Information Guide

Donor Tree Overview

Our donor recognition trees provide a beautiful and lasting way to recognize donors, memorial gifts and fundraising contributions. Choose from a variety of tree styles, sizes and materials, with expandable designs that allow your recognition display to grow as new donors are added.

Our donor trees include the tree trunk, quantity of leaves or modules ordered, installation hardware and a full-size paper mounting template for easy placement. On most modular trees, nearly all leaves are pre-installed on the clear acrylic modules to save installation time. Only a few leaves that conceal module mounting locations need to be installed after the tree is mounted to the wall.

Choose from metallic-finish polymer leaves with laser-engraved black text or upgraded metal leaves with UV-printed black text. Polymer leaves are available in Brushed Gold, Silver, Copper, Bronze and Verde Green. Metal leaves are available in Satin Gold, Silver and Copper. View our Donor Leaf Colors.

Different leaf colors can be used to represent giving levels. For example, gold might represent major gifts, silver a mid-level contribution and copper another giving level. Donor Tree Accessories such as stones and acorns can provide additional recognition opportunities for major donors or special gifts.

Personalization of donor leaves is priced separately. Current engraving or imprinting pricing is shown on the individual tree and leaf-service web pages. When adding names later, it is generally more economical to send several leaves at one time to reduce per-leaf personalization and shipping costs.

Installing your donor tree? Watch our sample donor tree installation video for an overview of the installation process. The tree shown may differ from the style you order, but the general installation procedure is similar. Step-by-step installation instructions are also included with your order.

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Donor Tree Ordering & Planning

How long does it take for my donor tree to be delivered?

Most donor trees require approximately 2–3 weeks for production. Production begins after payment and proof approval, when applicable. Shipping time depends on your location but is typically another 2–5 business days. We are located in Minnesota.

Should I install my donor recognition tree now or wait until our campaign is further along?

We generally recommend installing your donor tree early, even if some leaves are still blank. An attractive recognition display can help build awareness of your campaign and encourage additional participation.

If budget is a concern, consider beginning with a smaller expandable tree. Be sure to leave adequate space around the sides and top so additional modules or leaves can be added as your donor recognition program grows.

Do we need donor names for every leaf when we place the initial order?

No. In fact, it is very common to install a donor tree with some or all blank leaves. The blank spaces can help demonstrate that additional recognition opportunities are still available.

When you are ready to personalize additional leaves, order our Donor Leaf Engraving / Imprinting Service, send us the leaves and provide your donor text by email. We will personalize the leaves and return them for installation on your existing tree.

How should we provide donor names and text information?

Please provide donor text in a format that can be electronically copied and pasted. This helps reduce typing time and minimizes spelling errors.

A Word document, spreadsheet or text included directly in an email works well. If using a spreadsheet, keep each donor entry together in a row rather than separating individual lines of text into different columns.

What payment options are available?

Payment can be made by credit card, or check by mail . If paying by check, payment must be received before production begins.

Purchase orders may be accepted from qualifying public schools and government entities, subject to applicable terms and restrictions.

By special request, we may also offer 50/50 payment terms, with 50% due before production and the remaining balance due before shipment.

Do you offer discounts for nonprofit organizations?

We do not offer a separate nonprofit discount because a large portion of our customer base consists of nonprofit organizations. Our products are priced as competitively as possible with that customer base in mind.

Donor Leaves & Personalization

How much text can fit on a donor leaf?

We recommend up to approximately 23 characters and spaces per line and up to three lines of text per donor leaf. Exact text size depends on the font and wording, but we generally do not recommend going smaller than approximately 14 point.

Once the font and sizing are approved for your initial tree, the same formatting will normally be used for future leaves so your recognition display remains consistent.

What if a donor requires more text than normally fits on a leaf?

If the donor cannot shorten the requested wording, we may be able to reduce the font size, add additional lines or slightly condense the text to make it fit. When the appearance differs substantially from the standard format used on your tree, we can provide a preview for approval.

How is text added to donor leaves?

Polymer leaves are laser engraved. The laser removes the metallic surface layer and reveals the black core beneath, creating permanent black text.

Metal leaves for newer accounts are printed using direct-to-substrate UV printing with black ink. This produces dark, bold and highly legible lettering.

If you have donor leaves personalized locally by another vendor, their process, font, color or sizing may differ. For the most consistent appearance, we recommend using the same personalization source throughout the life of your donor tree.

Can you personalize leaves or accessories purchased from another vendor?

No. We do not process products or materials that we did not originally supply. Unfamiliar materials can present a risk to our equipment or to the item itself, and we cannot guarantee a match to another vendor's process, font, color or sizing.

Will I receive a proof of the donor leaf text?

Yes, on the initial order we provide a proof so you can approve the font and sizing. Future orders normally use the same approved specifications and therefore do not require a new proof.

Please carefully review all spelling before submitting donor names. If a future entry is unusual or you are concerned about fit, you may request a preview.

Will the text on donor leaves fade?

Laser-engraved polymer leaves will not fade because the text is etched through the metallic surface and into the black core material.

UV-printed metal leaves used on newer accounts should provide excellent longevity when installed indoors.

Why do you print rather than engrave text on metal leaves?

UV printing is faster, more economical and produces blacker, bolder and more legible text than traditional rotary engraving. Rotary engraving can also become expensive when pricing is based on the number of characters. For these reasons, we no longer offer rotary engraving on metal donor leaves.

Can donor leaves be ordered without mounting holes?

Polymer leaves may be ordered without holes by special request. Please add a comment to your order. Because polymer leaves are laser cut in-house, producing them without holes is possible but may add 1–2 business days to production.

Metal leaves are supplied in their standard configuration and cannot be ordered without holes.

Can we order larger or differently shaped donor leaves for our tree?

No. We currently offer two donor leaf shapes:

• Standard Leaf: approximately 4" wide x 1.5" high
• French Curve Leaf: approximately 3.25" wide x 1.75" high

Special production fixtures are used to align each leaf accurately during personalization. Offering numerous custom sizes, mirrored leaves or alternate engraving angles would require additional tooling and would make future additions more difficult to match.

Can we change the leaf shape used on a donor tree?

No. Each donor tree is specifically designed around either the Standard or French Curve leaf. Changing the leaf shape would affect spacing, alignment, mounting holes and acrylic module construction.

Use our Donor Tree Comparison Chart to compare tree styles and identify which designs use the leaf shape you prefer.

Donor Tree Installation & Expansion

Do we have to install all the donor leaves ourselves?

On most modular donor trees, nearly all leaves are pre-installed on the clear acrylic modules before shipment. You typically need to install only the trunk, acrylic modules and a few individual leaves used to conceal module mounting hardware.

If you order different leaf colors, we generally recommend dispersing them throughout the tree unless your recognition program requires a specific arrangement. Because leaves attach to the modules with small screws, they can usually be rearranged later.

The Samara and Pomona systems are different. Their leaves or apples mount individually to the wall, so installation requires more time than a modular tree.

How do expandable modular donor trees work?

Our expandable modular trees, including the Miki, Ornella, Moneta, Verbena, Eila and Alona, consist of a trunk mounted flush against the wall and groups of donor leaves attached to 1/4" clear acrylic sections called modules.

The acrylic modules are mounted away from the wall with spacers, creating an attractive floating effect. Additional modules can be added later as your donor recognition program grows.

Will a donor tree be too heavy for the wall?

No. The tree's weight is distributed across many mounting locations rather than concentrated in one area. Use the included anchors and hardware as directed to securely mount the tree to drywall, masonry or other approved wall surfaces.

Can donor trees be installed on brick, concrete or block walls?

Yes. Donor trees can be installed on drywall as well as brick, concrete or block walls. Follow the included installation instructions and use the appropriate supplied or recommended anchors for the wall material.

How high should a donor tree be installed?

As a general guideline, position the center of the donor tree near eye level. The exact height will depend on the dimensions of the tree, the room and surrounding architectural features.

If you plan to expand the tree later, review the dimensions of the larger configurations and leave adequate space above and beside the initial display.

Outdoor Donor Trees & Materials

Can donor recognition trees be installed outdoors?

Most of our donor trees are designed for indoor use only.

The Eila and Alona donor trees can be modified for certain outdoor installations because they feature genuine bronze trunks. Outdoor versions require weather-resistant leaves made from a special polymer material. This material is available in Brushed Gold, Silver and Copper, along with corrosion-resistant mounting components.

The bronze trunk's protective clear coat must also be maintained, and we recommend periodic inspection and touch-up. Most donor tree accessories are intended for indoor installation only.

Will donor leaves tarnish or age?

Polymer leaves will not tarnish. Metal leaves are generally protected with a clear coating and typically perform very well indoors.

Metal leaves installed outdoors may eventually pit, corrode or discolor, particularly in salty or high-humidity environments. We therefore do not recommend standard metal donor leaves for outdoor installations.

Why are the Eila and Alona donor trees more expensive?

The primary reason is their genuine solid cast bronze trunks and branches. Bronze is substantially more expensive than the carved wood or simulated bronze resin trunks used on many of our other donor trees.

The Eila and Alona are our premium donor recognition trees and are designed for organizations seeking the appearance, durability and architectural presence of genuine cast bronze.

Donor Tree Accessories & Major Donor Recognition

What are donor tree accessories used for?

Donor Tree Accessories are often used to recognize major gifts, memorials, sponsors or special contribution levels.

Recognition stones are typically placed near the base of the tree, while acorns, apples and similar elements may be incorporated around the leaves. When adding accessories, remember that their position may need to change later if you expand the tree.

Does the price of donor tree accessories include personalization?

No. Personalization is priced separately and varies by accessory. Current engraving or imprinting pricing is shown in the product options on the individual accessory page. Some accessories also offer upgraded brass personalization plates.

How much text can fit on donor tree accessories?

The amount of available text depends on the size and shape of the personalization area. Refer to the product description on the individual accessory page for specific recommendations.

If you are concerned about how a message will fit, you may request a proof or preview.

Why are solid bronze recognition stones and acorns more expensive?

They are made from genuine solid cast bronze, which is considerably more expensive than resin. For organizations with tighter budgets, simulated bronze resin stones and acorns provide a similar appearance at a lower cost.

Custom Donor Trees & Alternative Designs

Can we design our own donor tree?

You can create a custom wall arrangement using our Freestyle Donor Leaves. These allow you to arrange individual leaves directly on your wall in your own pattern.

We do not currently sell tree trunks separately. If you want a completely custom tree design, you may wish to work with a local artist or woodworker to create a painted or carved trunk and then incorporate our Freestyle Leaves.

We do not currently offer one-of-a-kind custom donor tree layouts. Considerable design, engineering, tooling and production work goes into each donor tree system, making completely custom one-off designs impractical for most projects.

Will replacement leaves and future personalization be available?

We have been serving donor recognition customers since 2004 and understand that many recognition programs continue growing for years. Whenever possible, we maintain records of your original leaf material, color, font and personalization specifications so future additions remain consistent with your existing display.

Donor leaf materials are also commonly used within the awards and recognition industry, providing additional service options should they ever be needed.

Why are the Eila and Alona donor trees available from other companies?

We design and manufacture a majority of our own donor recognition products in-house, while a few selected products are produced by specialized manufacturing partners.

The Eila and Alona trees are manufactured by a supplier that distributes through companies such as ours. In many cases, the trees are first sent to our facility so we can inspect the components for quality and fit before shipment. Donor leaf personalization is also completed by us to help ensure consistency and quality.

Fundraising & Donor Recognition Programs

How much of a donation should we ask for a donor leaf?

There is no single amount that works for every organization. Appropriate giving levels depend on your donor demographics, community, fundraising goal, campaign purpose and overall marketing strategy.

For example, a large organization in an affluent metropolitan area may be able to establish substantially higher giving levels than a smaller organization serving a rural community.

The perceived importance of your campaign also matters. Donors may respond differently to a capital campaign for a new building, a memorial fund, an endowment or an annual giving program.

Learn more about planning donor levels and fundraising campaigns in our Donor Recognition Fundraising Information.

Can different leaf colors represent donor giving levels?

Yes. Different colors and materials are commonly used to create donor giving levels. For example, gold might represent one contribution amount, silver another and copper a third.

You can also use larger recognition accessories such as stones, acorns or other elements for major donors, sponsors or special gifts.

Do you help create donor tree marketing brochures?

We do not provide custom brochure design services. However, our Sample Donor Recognition Tree Marketing Brochure can be used as a guide when creating promotional materials for your campaign.

A PDF version may also be available by email upon request.

Need Help Choosing a Donor Tree?

Still not sure which donor recognition tree is right for your organization? View our Donor Tree Comparison Chart to compare tree styles, sizes, leaf capacities, trunk materials and expansion options, or browse our complete selection of Donor Recognition Trees.

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