Donor Recognition Display Expansion for Ocean Reef

Client Overview

The Ocean Reef Medical Center Founders Society was established in 1994 to support the Medical Center at Ocean Reef in Key Largo, Florida. That same year, a custom donor recognition display was installed to honor the generosity of the organization’s supporters. The original donor wall was designed and fabricated by MD Designs, a company that is no longer in business.

More than 30 years later, the Founders Society had outgrown its existing donor recognition display. Ocean Reef Medical Center wanted to add another donor giving category and recognize additional supporters while preserving the craftsmanship, character and architectural style of the original installation. Rather than replacing the donor wall entirely, they turned to Partners In Recognition (PIR) to design a donor recognition display expansion that would seamlessly blend old and new.

The Challenge of Expanding an Existing Donor Recognition Display

Expanding an existing donor recognition display is rarely as simple as adding more nameplates. The original display had already reached capacity, and the available space above the donor sections was occupied by a large wood header that would need to be reduced in height to accommodate another row of donor recognition.

Several factors made the project especially challenging:

The original manufacturer was no longer in business, leaving limited drawings and specifications and no replacement components.
The donor recognition wall was installed high on a curved tile wall.
New components needed to match materials, finishes and proportions created more than three decades earlier.
The existing wood header and dimensional “Founders Society” lettering needed to be carefully removed and reused.
Gaps between the display and the curved wall had to remain concealed.
Only 41 inches separated the top of the display from the ceiling, creating installation challenges.

Ocean Reef wanted to preserve the history of its original donor wall while creating room for future fundraising growth.

Original donor recognition display at Ocean Reef Medical Center before the donor recognition display expansion and addition of new donor nameplates. — The original donor recognition display before expansion. PIR modified the existing donor wall by reducing the wood header, relocating the lettering and adding a new donor recognition category with additional nameplates.

Strategy for the Donor Recognition Display Expansion

PIR carefully evaluated the existing donor recognition wall and developed a solution that would expand the display without changing its overall appearance.

Rather than replacing the entire installation, the oversized wood header was removed, shortened and reinstalled above the donor sections. The freestanding “Founders Society” letters were carefully removed from the header and relocated to the wood trim above the display. This maintained the familiar identity of the original installation while creating valuable space for an entirely new donor recognition category.

To accommodate future recognition, PIR also designed four new magnetic donor nameplate bases sized to hold two 16-by-4-inch Corian® donor plaques each. Together, these additions created space for eight new donor nameplates within a newly established Platinum Trustee giving category.

By combining new custom components with carefully restored original elements, PIR created an expandable donor recognition display that appeared as though it had always been part of the original design.

Donor Recognition Display Expansion Solution

The completed donor recognition display expansion included:

Four new MagTech magnetic donor nameplate bases
Eight 16-by-4-inch Corian® donor plaques
A new Platinum Trustee donor recognition category
A shortened and restored wood header
Relocated dimensional “Founders Society” lettering
A matching wood veneer strip to finish the modified header
New full-height wood side reveals

The side reveals became an important design element because the existing donor bases did not sit perfectly flush against the curved tile wall. These custom wood pieces concealed the gaps while giving the expanded donor wall a clean, finished appearance.

Installation of a donor recognition display expansion at Ocean Reef Medical Center using lift equipment to modify an existing donor wall. — Working high above the floor, PIR carefully modified the original donor recognition display while preserving its architectural character.

Executing the Donor Recognition Display Expansion

Installing the modifications required careful planning and precision.

Because the donor recognition display was mounted high above the floor, ladders and lift equipment were required to safely remove the large wood header and dimensional lettering without damaging components that would be reused.

Once removed, the wood header was cut down to create the necessary space for the new donor category. A matching wood veneer was applied to the cut edge so the modification appeared original. The dimensional “Founders Society” letters were then remounted on the wood trim above the display.

Finally, the new magnetic donor recognition bases and Corian® donor plaques were installed across the top of the existing display. Every new component had to align perfectly with the original grid while following the subtle radius of the curved wall, ensuring the expansion looked like a natural continuation of the donor recognition system.

The Outcome

Ocean Reef Medical Center successfully expanded its donor recognition display without replacing a donor wall that had faithfully served the organization since 1994.

The completed project added a new donor giving category, created space for eight additional donor plaques and preserved the original woodwork, dimensional lettering and architectural character of the display. Visitors would never know which portions were added decades later.

Perhaps most importantly, the project demonstrates that an existing donor recognition display can often be expanded instead of replaced. With thoughtful design, compatible materials and careful craftsmanship, organizations can preserve the history of their donor recognition while creating room for future fundraising success.

Key Takeaways from This Donor Recognition Display Expansion

Existing donor recognition displays can often be expanded instead of replaced.
Expanding a donor wall is often more economical than building a new one.
Reusing original components preserves visual continuity.
Older donor recognition displays can be expanded even when the original manufacturer is no longer in business.
Careful planning is essential when modifying displays on curved walls.
Expandable donor recognition systems provide room for future fundraising growth.
Partners In Recognition specializes in custom donor recognition display expansions that blend seamlessly with existing installations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an existing donor recognition display be expanded?

Yes. Many donor recognition displays can be expanded rather than replaced. By modifying existing components, adding new donor categories and matching original materials, organizations can preserve the appearance of their donor wall while accommodating future growth.

Can you update a donor wall built by another company?

Absolutely. Even if the original manufacturer is no longer in business, Partners In Recognition can evaluate an existing donor recognition display and design compatible additions that blend seamlessly with the original installation.

Is replacing an entire donor wall always necessary?

Not at all. Many donor walls can be expanded by adding new donor recognition areas, relocating design elements or modifying existing components. In many cases, this approach saves money while maintaining the history and character of the original display.