Gift Category Best Practice Guidance Needed

Susan ONeill Griffin

I did not see Raiser's Edge as a choice so please feel free to move this for me.


I am looking for advice on best way to set up categories in Raiser's Edge for an organization that I just joined (and I am new to Raiser's Edge).  They have multiple locations, restricted and unrestricted gifts to those locations.  They get Individual, Corporation, Foundation and Government Giving. They have Special Event and Sponsorship Giving. They also have things like a drive to get their volunteers to donate. 


What would be the ideal structure using Gift Type, Gift Subtype, Campaign, Fund, Appeal? 


Any advice is very welcome! Thank you!

Chris Geady

Hey Susan, you didn't see Raiser's Edge as a choice because this particular forum is for Blackbaud CRM (different than Raiser's Edge). I'd recommend reposting in the Raiser's Edge forum as not too many Raiser's Edge users look at this forum.


Since I used Raiser's Edge for 15 years before using Blackbaud CRM, I'll add some info here:

- Gift Types are hard coded in Raiser's Edge

- Gift Subtypes can provide additional information above and beyond Gift Types. Gift Subtypes are often used for created a more detailed general ledger mapping in a fund record.

- I would stick to using funds for the program/project the $ is supporting and appeals for the reason why the money came through to your organization. Note: several other Blackbaud products are integrated to these fields.

Susan ONeill Griffin

Thank you Chris! Just shows how new I am, can't even post in the correct location ?  I like your suggestion, we have many locations with types of giving/funds under them. I rather not have a ton of funds so I am thinking about using Campaign for types of giving instead (Government, Foundation etc) and Gift Subtype for Restricted/Unrestricted. Though I feel some people use Attributes for these?