The air in Missoula, Montana, buzzed with anticipation. December 5, 2023, marked more than just an opening day; it was the culmination of a metamorphosis years in the making. The Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium (MBHI), a beloved community centerpiece dedicated to sparking curiosity about “The Little Things That Run the World,” was opening the doors to its stunning new home within the Gerald W. Marks Exploration Center.
This wasn’t just an expansion; it was a dream brought to vibrant, fluttering life. Achieved through incredible community support, tireless fundraising efforts, and millions raised, the new facility – Montana’s first tropical butterfly house – needed a way to say “thank you.” But how do you honor generosity of this scale, in a modern, interactive space, without resorting to just a list of names?
A traditional donor wall, while classic, felt out of place in a facility designed for immersion and interaction. It couldn’t easily adapt to recognizing new donors, sharing personal stories of impact, or reflecting the dynamic life happening within the exhibits. MBHI needed something different – something that mirrored the innovation of their new space and the depth of their community connection.
Enter Arreya Digital Signage Solutions.
MBHI partnered with Arreya to create not just a digital donor wall, but a powerful, engaging experience that would serve multiple purposes and truly recognize donors in a way that felt meaningful and modern. This project became a beautiful showcase of how digital technology can amplify a non-profit’s mission and deepen the connection with its supporters.
Beyond the Donor Plaque: An Interactive Tribute
Arreya’s solution started with a single, striking vertical screen. But this was no static display. Utilizing Arreya’s advanced software, it became an interactive donor wall. Visitors aren’t just looking at names; they’re invited to explore. With intuitive touch capabilities, they can delve into donor listings, learn about the impact of major donors and smaller contributions alike, and connect contributions to the exhibits and programs they see around them.
This goes far beyond passive recognition. It creates donor engagement, fostering an engaging experience that aligns perfectly with MBHI’s hands-on educational philosophy. It’s an interactive experience that sparks curiosity about the community that built this place, just as MBHI sparks curiosity about the natural world. You can explore names, perhaps even finding donor stories or highlights that provide a deeper connection to the organization’s journey. It’s proof that a digital solution can be a truly powerful tool for building relationships and ensuring donor retention.
Custom Design That Takes Flight: Blending Digital and Physical
One of the most breathtaking aspects of the Arreya installation at MBHI is how seamlessly it integrates into the physical space. Arreya didn’t just provide a screen; they delivered a complete vision. This included designing and manufacturing a custom enclosure for the display, ensuring it fit perfectly within the architecture of the new Exploration Center.
But they went further. They created an integrated butterfly design that visually flows from the physical wall surrounding the screen onto the digital display itself. This wasn’t a “cookie cutter” approach; it was a design tailored specifically to MBHI’s identity. This blending of digital and physical aesthetics creates an immersive environment. The digital display isn’t just mounted on the wall; it’s part of the wall, a piece of environmental art that reinforces the organization’s theme and mission, leaving a lasting impression. This demonstrates Arreya’s ability to create stunning, integrated solutions that enhance the visitor experience and reinforce brand identity.
More Than Donor Recognition: A Multi-Purpose Digital Hub
While the core function is to recognize donors, Arreya’s platform allowed the digital donor wall to serve multiple purposes within the busy new facility. It can also provide essential information like exhibit details, daily schedules for butterfly releases or feeding demonstrations, and crucial wayfinding assistance within the larger Gerald W. Marks Exploration Center, which houses several partner organizations.
In today’s digital age, a digital solution should maximize its utility. By integrating wayfinding and informational content, the Arreya display becomes a central digital touchpoint, serving visitors and MBHI staff alike. It’s a smart, efficient use of technology that provides tangible value and enhances the overall visitor experience.
Keeping Gratitude Alive: Easy Updates for Ongoing Support
Fundraising is an ongoing effort for any non-profit. The new facility was a huge step, but continued support is vital for programs, animal care, and future growth. A traditional donor wall makes adding new donors or updating recognition levels a time consuming and often expensive process.
Arreya’s software provides the ability for MBHI staff to easily manage and update the donor listings. With simple tools like spreadsheet uploads, adding new donors, updating details for major donors or corporate sponsors, and refreshing donor highlights is efficient and quick. This ensures that gratitude is always timely and accurately displayed, supporting MBHI’s ongoing fundraising efforts and commitment to its supporters. It means the wall can evolve with the organization, always reflecting the current community of supporters who help bring the mission to life.
CONCLUSION: A Partnership That Fluttered into Success
The Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium project is a testament to the power of community and the importance of recognizing that support in a meaningful way. Arreya was honored to partner with MBHI, providing a comprehensive, turnkey solution that went from initial concept and custom design to software development, hardware fabrication, and final installation.
This project showcases Arreya’s core strengths: sophisticated, user-friendly software; custom hardware manufacturing; and the ability to deliver beautifully integrated digital and physical designs. It’s not just about putting up a screen; it’s about understanding an organization’s unique needs, its mission, and its community, and then leveraging the best digital software and hardware to create a powerful, emotional connection.
The interactive digital donor wall at MBHI is more than just a list of names; it’s a vibrant, accessible celebration of the people whose contributions helped a caterpillar dream transform into a breathtaking butterfly reality. It stands as a welcoming beacon, inviting visitors to explore the wonders within, while also serving as a lasting tribute to the incredible support that made it all possible.
For non-profits looking for the best solution to modernize their donor recognition and enhance their visitor experience, the story of the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium and their Arreya digital donor wall offers a compelling vision of what’s possible in today’s digital age.