The Top 7 Giving Score Myths: Debunked

Quick Reminder: The Giving Score Contest for free bbcon passes ends this week!

Earlier this month I got the chance to attend one of our Raiser’s Edge User Groups in Columbia, SC.  There I spoke with all different types of nonprofits to learn how our clients are using The Giving Score to drive results.  I also uncovered several misconceptions that were preventing clients from running The Giving Score, so I’ve decided to put the rumors to rest!  So here are my top 7 Giving Score Myths: Debunked.

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• Myth #1:  The Giving Score costs money to run.
  
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  • Truth:  The Giving Score is a free service included in The Raiser’s Edge 7.92.  It is completely free to run as many times you want!
    
  
  
  

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• Myth #2: The Giving Score only scores internal data in The Raiser’s Edge.
  
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  • Truth:  The Giving Score used both internal data in your database and external data from census records and other demographic sources to score not only constituents’ likelihood to give, but also on their capacity to give.
    
  
  
  

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• Myth #3:  When you submit your data to be scored, you cannot use The Raiser’s Edge until it is returned.
  
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  • Truth:  You can still use all the functionality of your Raiser’s Edge database while it is being scored.  There is no down-time during the 48 hours when we are scoring your constituent records.  
    
  
  
  

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• Myth #4: You only need to score your database one time.
  
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  • Truth:  In addition to scoring your existing data set, you should also run The Giving Score:
    
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    • After you receive a significant number of very large gifts (i.e., from a capital campaign) as this could change a donor’s likelihood or capacity to give.
      
    • After you add large groups of names to your database (i.e., from an event) as this brings in new information on donors that are capable to give. 
      
    
    
    
  
  
  

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• Myth #5:  The Giving Score is only for Major Gift Officers.
  
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  • Truth:  The value of The Giving Score extends far beyond major gifts:
    
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    • Donor Retention: Identify VIP’s and give them special attention they deserve.
      
    • Annual Fund: Minimize investment on Acquaintances who are unlikely to give.
      
    • Donor Upgrades: Increase giving by matching solicitors to VIPs.
      
    • Direct Mailing: Target your efforts on VIP’s who will bring in the maximum return.
      
    • Event Fundraising: Identify VIP’s and Longshots to invite to strategically raise more money.
      
    
    
    
  
  
  

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• Myth #6:  The Giving Score doesn't work if you have different types of constituents in your database that shouldn’t be scored together.
  
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  • Truth:  The Giving Score Query/Workspace allows you to see scores for subsets of your constituents using filters. So if you want to view scores for just your donors and not volunteers or alumni and not students… you can.
    
  
  
  

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• Myth #7: The Giving Score is irrelevant if you use Target Analytics or Data Enrichment Services.
  
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  • Truth:  These tools work best when they are used together:
    
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    • The Giving Score and AddressFinder:  AddressFinder ensures all of your constituents’ addresses are up-to-date, which is crucial since The Giving Score is partly based on address information (wealthy neighborhoods increase score of capacity to give).
      
    • The Giving Score and Wealth Point: Once you run The Giving Score to identify VIP’s and Longshots, determine which prospects you need more information on and screen them through WealthPoint to incorporate hard asset data and uncover Longshots that should not be ignored.
      
    • The Giving Score and Target Analytics Modeling: Target Analytics modeling can transform your Giving Score Segments.  First, run The Giving Score to understand the global landscape of your donor database. Then, use Target Analytics Modeling to understand specific tactics involving sophisticated segmentation, such as preferred communication channels and predictions on time of renewals. 
      
    
    
    
  
  
  

The final truth:  To run the Giving Score, you must be on The Raiser’s Edge version 7.92.  If you are not yet using The Raiser’s Edge 7.92, The Raiser’s Edge Customer Resource Center is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to prepare for and upgrade to 7.92.

Where can I learn more about The Giving Score?


From inside The Raiser’s Edge 7.92, click the Resource Center button in the upper right corner of your screen and you’ll find a direct link to resources to learn more about The Giving Score.  You can also e-mail thegivingscore@blackbaud.com with any questions, comments, or requests for more information.