Help me create a wonderful thanks for a $1,000,000 guy

July 2, 2008 11:34 AM

A donor has given our non profit $1,000,000 to build a new hospice house building (1/3 the cost of the project). We want to honor him with something different than the usual plaque. Or at least with a plaque that is unique. Something with a key might be appropriate, but would probably be boring. We have to make a presentation to him during an event in a couple of weeks. Anyone have any creative ideas to honor this generous man?
posted by Jandasmo to writing & language (18 comments total)

My grandma recently had a building dedicated to her, and they put up a plaque with a 3D sculpture of her head coming out of it. While it definitely looks nicer than it sounds, I thought it was borderline tacky (but I like really simple stuff). My grandmother was tickled pink by it, though, and thought it was really neat (as did the elementary-school kids who used the building).

It was similar to what is on this page here. (First google search result.)
posted by phunniemee at 11:45 AM on July 2, 2008

Name the building after him?
posted by idb at 11:45 AM on July 2, 2008

A reserved bed?
I keed, I keed.

I assume there's a garden of some sort. Name the garden, let him pick a few bushes, and put some name plates on a few benches. Maybe plant a long-lived tree, like an Oak or a Walnut.
posted by terpia at 11:47 AM on July 2, 2008

Can you get the street named after him? Or can the intersection square be named for him?
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 11:48 AM on July 2, 2008

Mosaic of his using floor tiles in the entry way. Or something else that's obviously "him" if that sounds a bit creepy.
posted by theichibun at 11:56 AM on July 2, 2008

Agreeing with idb, naming it after him would be great. If that's not an option, how about an outdoor patio/garden/fountain dedicated to him.
posted by jazzman at 12:21 PM on July 2, 2008

Can you commission a sculpture? The City of Evanston (IL) makes an annual arts award, and this year they presented the winner with a beautiful glass sculpture (as shown here, scroll to last picture in article). We contacted the studio and they told us they did it for about $250!!! If there is something similar near you, this might be a unique and yet not overly expensive option.
posted by nax at 12:21 PM on July 2, 2008 [1 favorite]

i like the idea of a park bench somewhere on the property. maybe in the garden?
posted by violetk at 12:36 PM on July 2, 2008

What about a conservatory or garden that honors him? Or name the hospice after him...
posted by zia at 12:39 PM on July 2, 2008

You might consider a fund for an annual award or event in his name — that way there's a reaffirmation and recognition of his generosity.

Also, I commend you on making this extra effort.
posted by Haruspex at 1:43 PM on July 2, 2008

Employ the metaphor “lifting spirit” for both the building and as a presentation object. You can install a sculpture with imagery of spirit taking flight somewhere in the central reception area. Echo this theme throughout the facility. I visualize this as being a glass or transparent piece that is not a literal interpretation of a bird. For the donor, you can present a small replica of the sculpture.
posted by mightshould at 2:37 PM on July 2, 2008

Get an artist to draw a reasonable fascimile of a "million dollar bill", ie., faked US currency, poster-sized.
Put a headline above it: "Thanks a Million!"
Put whatever other explanatory and acknowledgment text you want under it.
Have every member of the board of directors and any other important people sign it.
Present this to him at the affair, and give him the option of taking it home or having it permanently hung at the hospice.

OR
Get one of these crystal bowls engraved with a message of thanks. (Other outfits sell nice engraveable crystal bowls, too. But make it a really good one.)
posted by beagle at 2:41 PM on July 2, 2008

I specialize in environmental graphic design like plaques, signage, and graphics such as the ones you and others are suggesting, and I've done several projects similar to yours. What's your budget for this project, where are you located, and what kind of wall real estate do you have available?

Please feel free to email me--I'd be happy to help you with the project, or I can refer you to the appropriate people. I'm matt AT fandango DOT net.
posted by optovox at 2:50 PM on July 2, 2008

Thanks everyone. We have named the building after him. I'm looking for something for him to take home. I like the ideas of the sculpture and the crystal bowl.

and Optovox...we already have our donor wall set. Thanks. I'm just looking for a gift for the donor, with deep meaning.

Thanks!
posted by Jandasmo at 4:53 PM on July 2, 2008

The architects may create an architectural model of the building. See if he can get it afterward.
posted by dhartung at 5:23 PM on July 2, 2008

If you're looking for something with deep meaning, could you incorporate the people your organization helps somehow? Obviously the people who will live in the new house aren't available, but if you have stories or quotes from people who have appreciated your organization's work, or pictures of people who've been helped (the sort of thing a lot of non-profits put in their annual reports), incorporating those in some way would be nice. For example, an especially nice quote could be engraved on something like the bowl.
posted by chickletworks at 9:53 PM on July 2, 2008

I think it's not going to be the thing itself, but the sentiment and thought behind it, and associated with it. Plaques, bowls, etc. are probably a dime a dozen to this person. Does this person have some hobby or other passion that you can tie into? Do they have a personal assistant who can help you with researching what gets them going? I like the idea of many people signing or somehow building something together as a gesture of thanks.
posted by idb at 10:20 AM on July 3, 2008

Forget the architect's model (if it's a working model, it's probably full of masking tape, etc.). Get professional model-makers to make one out of something cool like acrylic, and give him that..
posted by signal at 6:10 PM on July 3, 2008