Blog Contest Winner - 3 Things Every Raiser's Edge User Should Know

What’s the most important thing about your database? The data! If your data smells a bit off going into the database (data entry), chances are it will reek on its way out (reporting). So, how do you avoid turning your Raiser’s Edge database into a garbage dump?

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="178"]Keep your addresses CLEAN and reduce the amount of returned mail! Use AddressAccelerator (and follow up with any addresses that won’t validate), go through your returned mail to update address records, and purchase AddressFinder (or a similar NCOA service) to keep in contact with your donors.[/caption]

1. Garbage In – Garbage Out: Sparkling clean data entry is your first line of defense. Make users understand how the data they input directly affects the quality of your organization’s mailings and ultimately, the success of your mission.

2. Don’t be afraid to audit: Create a Query Folder called “Audits” and use it to look for gift and constituent data entry errors. For example, you may want to create a constituent query looking for all constituents with a blank title or a gift query that asks for all gift dates greater than today. You’ll be able to identify users that make recurring mistakes and require retraining, or you might identify an accounting error before it becomes a major issue.

Fear not! Run your audit queries daily, weekly, and/or monthly.

3. You are not alone!: We’ve all been there at some point in our Raiser’s Edge career.  Your Development Director asks you with all of your Raiser’s Edge knowledge to capture specific information for her next major appeal. You’re sure you can capture the information requested, but a little reassurance could go a long way. Where can you turn? User groups! Search Blackbaud’s Knowledgebase and forums, LinkedIn and Facebook groups, and blackbus.org to connect with other Blackbaud and Raiser’s Edge professionals.  Be polite and give plenty of background with your question. You are not alone!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Join an online user group. It's free![/caption]

 

Rochelle Sweeney is the winner of our guest blogging contest. Thank you to everyone who entered, and congratulations to Rochelle! In the coming weeks we’ll share some of the best insights from our other contestants.

 Rochelle Sweeney lives and works in the Capital region of New York. She is the Raiser’s Edge (and Blackbaud NetCommunity!) database administrator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, and she recently earned her Raiser’s Edge Associate certification. (Stay tuned for information about Blackbaud’s certification program.) She loves sharing and implementing new technology to improve how her office functions and relates to donors! When she’s not running queries or modifying templates, she can be found reading, laughing at something silly on the Internet, or volunteering with her favorite local animal rescue, Cat Tales Rescue.