RE NXT database manager

Deidre Goodrich

Thanks for your thoughtful responses.

Katherine Mannion

What you're asking for is someone to do at least 3 jobs (database manager, analyst, CFRE). And probably unwritten, you'd like them to stay on top of all RENXT updates. And train staff. And do reporting. Oh, and there's an event this weekend, so they need to be available to help with that as well. Now let me show you to your office in the basement with no windows.


We're out here. There are many of us that are doing all that and more. You want to know how to find and keep a superstar like this? Pay them what they're worth! In my area, this person would be offered $45,000/year. No way...

Deidre Goodrich‍, I think your question is awesome, and you can probably tell that this is a subject that I'm passionate about. DBMs are the foundation of all fundraising teams....they need to be treated as such and compensated for the important, technical, thoughtful work they do! I tried to get BB to let me do a session about this, but was not accepted last year. I'll try again when we're in person in 2022!!

Tom Klimchak

I 100% agree with Katherine!


I would argue that "experience with NXT" may not be the skill that you want to put at the top of the list simply because RE NXT is still fairly simplistic software that's designed to be approachable. In my experience the most successful people in information technology, database management, advancement services and other technical skills are the ones who have the best people skills.


Having five years of experience with RE NXT is good... but knowing how to talk to non-technical people about data and reports, knowing how to gain the trust of staff members and being able to share knowledge and calm fears about new software tools are all much better skills to have. It's much easier to learn new software tricks than new people skills...


I think it needs to also be noted that nonprofit fundraising "data people" with a lot of experience like those in Advancement Services still make a rather small percentage of people working in the nonprofit industry. Think of any good-sized non-profit and I bet they have many more managers, development officers and support staff than true database managers or Advancement Services Professionals.

Melissa Anderson

I am a DBM and can see the forest and the trees. I work at a community college and started as an admin assistant. I was lucky to have supervisors who allowed me to gain additional skills and take on more responsibilities. I started by creating reports, then entering gifts and constituents. Since I have done both, I know the ins and outs of all my data. I think the way to find great DBMs is to create them. Find the people with the ability to see the big picture and the path to get there, then give them the technical skills in RE.

Dariel Dixon

This is such a interesting thought. I think there's plenty of people out there that have what you are looking for, however the people that have the skills you might be looking for are probably already looking for higher level positions. No person ever fits 100% what you are looking for, unless you're willing to pay them handsomely. It's easier (and better) to find people who have most of what you are looking for, and build them into what you are wanting. All experience is not equal, and you have to think of what your organization actually needs. Training people up to become this is probably the best way to go because they can grow into the role. Having the opportunity to grow is essential in retaining good people.


And, if your salary requirements aren't up to snuff, there's generally no use looking for someone with lofty qualifications. Even if they come in, they are likely to have one foot out the door as soon as a better opportunity comes in.

Cindy Gericke

I am a DBA who has been blessed with a supervisor who never kept me in a silo. I knew nothing of RE when I joined my org 18 months ago, (Salesforce user) but I was hired because I worked on a multifaceted fundraising team consisting of a communications pro, several gift officers specializing in individual, foundation, corporation, grant writing, and planned giving, and a supervisor who managed a smaller portfolio of major donors and dedicated her time driving successful campaigns utilizing the metrics from both the CRM and social media/website data. I participated in all team meetings and had a great overview of the process from discovery to stewardship. I have several certifications, but only because my supervisor involved me in every process and let me lead meetings in her absence which made me want to learn more. This structure allowed me to educate my team on not only the nuts and bolts of Salesforce, but how the data could drive their personal success. And I was a special education teacher before diving into data! I think there are those naturally extroverted fundraisers who love making the ask and can raise money in their sleep. However, I am a "fundraiser" who is introverted and prefers supporting those people from a data set that I have designed to make their time as free as possible to get out there and talk to donors. The good DBA's I know are not necessarily IT...they are fundraisers at heart.

Karen Diener

This is a fascinating topic, and one that I've really been struggling with for awhile. I'm a consultant who often comes in to clean up messes that were left by others, and also work with clients to find new people. It is NOT easy, and I work in the Chicagoland area.


A theme I noticed as I scanned through the responses so far, which is the first thing that came to mind for me, is that upper management needs to appreciate how much a good DBA is worth. By "appreciate", I mean that the person needs to be paid for the knowledge and skills they bring to the table, needs professional development opportunities, and needs a respected seat at the table for big discussions and decisions. When management always includes "the database people", others do too.


Karen

Katherine Mannion

Cindy Gericke‍, I had the same. And I credit her with all of my success since. My former supervisor (and now good friend) took me from stay-at-home mom with no fundraising or data experience to database consultant by encouraging me to be my best self, including me at the table, and providing me opportunities for professional development. And most importantly she pushed me to move on when I had grown out of the job.

Faith Murray

Ditto to Katherine and Cindy! I work at a smaller private college, and as such our budget may not be as grandiose as a state university, Red Cross, or other big employer. My first manager hired me out of college in an entry level position and trained me up. Now I handle database management, training, appeals analysis and segmentation, grant writing, and major gift coordination. Being trained from the ground up -- and having a great team relationship -- gives me a love and loyalty for my org and mission that keeps me here even in tight budget years.


It IS important to treat the DBM like a team member and include them in major fundraising planning, especially if you want them to perform testing and analysis. Having a DBM on hand during campaign planning can be very useful to help guide the team through important foundational (but often overlooked) steps like phonefinder services and wealth screen imports, so that you can have the best possible data for making real donor contact and improving your ask rates. Letting your DBM assist in appeal planning can be useful as you consider testing strategies (no, let's not create a whole new appeal segment for library donors because there are only 26 of them in the database. How about volunteers instead because we have 300 of them and their giving is 150% higher than our average donor?) Asking your DBM to analyze appeal testing without engaging them in the test design leads to poorly constructed tests that net little relevant data.


One thing I appreciated was that, even starting off as a gift entry staff, my first manager considered it important for all of us to receive full fundraising certification. Training is fairly inexpensive compared to salary investments, but it is a tremendous help in building capacity in your team members and forging a unified team that can understand and support each other.

Patti Hommes

I LOVE this thread!! Great responses all!!

Madeleine Holdsworth

I guess I'm fortunate - my team and supervisor consider me to be an integral part of the team and decision making when it comes to all facets of fundraising!! They consider me to be the subject matter expert on all data and analysis matters. My role goes way beyond DBA to the point that my job description and position was redesigned.

Deidre Goodrich

Hi again everyone! I'm hiring a new Donor Database Manager. Looking for an experienced RE NXT administrator who wants to be part of a team rebuilding the Hospital for Special Care Foundation and taking our fundraising to the next level. We're a small team and I want the DDM to be part of the conversations and decision-making. We're in New Britain, CT and, yes, we need someone in-person. Please share with anyone who may be interested--it's also on the BBD jobs board. Thanks!