Raiser’s Edge NXT (RE NXT) is a popular fundraising and constituent relationship management (CRM) system from Blackbaud that is built to meet the needs of mid-sized to large nonprofits. It was released in 2015 as the updated version of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge.
While this software solution can help your organization with everything from building donor profiles to creating email marketing campaigns, you’ll need the right training to ensure you get the most out of RE NXT.
Lucky for you, there are plenty of Raiser’s Edge NXT training options out there—you just have to know where to look. To help, we’ve created this guide that will cover:
- The Benefits of RE NXT Training
- Recommended Raiser’s Edge NXT Training Consultants
- Training Resources from Blackbaud
- Free Online Training Resources for Raiser’s Edge NXT
There are several different training resources for getting up to speed with Raiser’s Edge NXT, so consider your organization’s unique training needs before choosing the resources you’ll use. This will help ensure your team gets the training and experience it needs to fully adopt RE NXT and leverage its many features. Let’s get started.
The Benefits of RE NXT Training
Once you’ve invested in a new software tool like RE NXT, it can be tempting to forego formal training. After all, can’t you just figure it out as you go using free resources and save your nonprofit some money in the process?
There are a lot of free resources to rely on, but investing in high-quality training can do wonders for your team. Let’s look a little closer at some of the benefits of getting Raiser’s Edge NXT training:
- Increased return on investment (ROI): It’s no secret that purchasing a new software tool for your nonprofit represents a significant investment of money and time (since you’ll need to work the new tool into your regular workflows). To see a high return on that investment, you’ll want to take full advantage of all that RE NXT has to offer.
- Maximized functionality: For RE NXT to produce real results for your mission and constituents, you’ll want to tap into all the features and functionalities it offers. If you’re unsure how to use a certain feature, you could miss out on the results that feature could produce for you.
- Team member confidence: Tools like Raiser’s Edge NXT should help your nonprofit employees with their jobs, not frustrate and slow them down. By investing in thorough training, you can ensure your team members feel confident using the platform in their everyday tasks.
- Heightened efficiency: Instead of wading through months of trial and error, your team will be much more efficient in adopting RE NXT and using it effectively when you know how to do so properly.
- Better data management: Having accurate data and keeping that data secure is essential for building relationships with your community and being successful in your fundraising efforts. RE NXT offers robust data management capabilities that you can tap into when you fully understand the tool.
- Enhanced fundraising: Similarly, RE NXT has a wealth of fundraising features that can help your organization secure more donations. Specialized training can help you be more strategic in planning and launching campaigns and allow you to process a variety of donation types.
- Identification of customization and integration opportunities: RE NXT will be most useful when it’s fully customized to your organization’s needs and you’ve taken advantage of the integrations that allow data to flow between RE NXT and your other tools. To identify opportunities for customization and integration, it’s best to partner with a Blackbaud expert for the training process, as these professionals can also help you make the most out of your solution.
Though thorough training represents a further investment of time and money on your organization’s part, it is critical for getting the most out of Raiser’s Edge NXT. Now that you know why thorough training matters, let’s look at your three options for getting that training.
Recommended Raiser’s Edge NXT Training Consultants
If you need a comprehensive walkthrough of how to use Raiser’s Edge NXT to its fullest potential, there’s no better resource than a nonprofit technology consultant who is well trained in all things Blackbaud.
Nonprofit consultants with RE NXT expertise can do more than just introduce you to the platform and answer one-off questions; they can also take you through a personalized tour of the software, showing you how to customize its features to best fit your organization’s strategy and how to implement those configurations to optimize success.
There are a lot of Raiser’s Edge NXT experts out there, so let’s look at the best of the best.
The Leading RE NXT Training Consultant: DNL OmniMedia
With experience in a variety of Blackbaud software solutions, Team DNL can design an effective training strategy to have your team on its feet with Raiser’s Edge NXT in no time.
Unlike Blackbaud, a nonprofit consulting firm like DNL can completely personalize your training experience. That means you’ll be able to set the agenda for every aspect of the training program, decide which role-based paths are needed at your organization, and lay out a timeline that works for you and your long-term goals.
At DNL OmniMedia, we understand that Raiser’s Edge NXT is just one part of your nonprofit’s technology stack, so we can also assist you with:
- Integrating other Blackbaud or third-party software with RE NXT
- Designing custom configurations that match your fundraising strategy
- Migrating data to Raiser’s Edge NXT and conducting data clean-up and maintenance
- Mapping out a strategy for using all of your software to its fullest potential
Other Raiser’s Edge NXT Training Consultants
Aside from Team DNL, there are several other qualified third-party consultants who can design a Raiser’s Edge NXT training plan for your nonprofit.
The consulting firm you choose should depend on how your specific needs line up with their specialties. You’ll need to assess your own training goals and do some independent research to find the right fit. Here are a few firms to consider:
Sargent Solutions
As a team of Blackbaud-specific consultants, Sargent Solutions offers one-to-one or one-to-many employee training on RE NXT, as well as other Blackbaud solutions. They can map out a comprehensive training plan that educates you from square one, assist on specific projects, or offer expertise in other areas like direct mail.
Lauren Schler Consulting
With expertise in general consulting, database optimization and redesign, database audits, custom report building, and more, Lauren Schler can help your organization understand Raiser’s Edge NXT in an in-depth, personalized way. Plus, Lauren can serve as a temporary or long-term database administrator for your RE NXT system if needed.
Zeidman Development
If you work with Zeidman Development, you’ll have the chance to tap into bespoke and flexible RE NXT training packages. You can also benefit from the Zeidman team’s migration and integration assistance and use their custom-built products like The Mergician to consolidate your data or Chimpegration to integrate your system with Mailchimp.
Training Resources from Blackbaud
Blackbaud offers online training classes for both Raiser’s Edge and Raiser’s Edge NXT as part of Blackbaud University. While you can register for single classes, to obtain the most comprehensive and sequential training experience, Blackbaud recommends enrolling in their Learn subscription, which offers different levels of classes based on the functionality you want to master, the outcomes you wish to achieve, or the role you have at your organization.
You can view the Raiser’s Edge NXT training datasheet to get a total rundown of what the programs offer, but let’s break down the most important aspects of what your nonprofit can learn at each subscription level—Universal Learning, Learn More, and Learn Everything.
- Universal Learning: At this level, your team can access on-demand basic training videos through Blackbaud University. You may get access to these training videos for free through your subscription to RE NXT. With this subscription, your team gains access to the RE NXT Fundamentals exam and certification.
- Learn More: As part of the intermediate training package, your organization will have access to a full library of video classes, as well as more advanced Fundamentals classes taught by Blackbaud instructors. At this level, you can test for and earn the Fundamentals, Fundraising, and Professional certifications.
- Learn Everything: As the most inclusive training level, Learn Everything offers on-demand training videos, instructor-led courses, certifications, and instructor-led virtual workshops on nonprofit best practices.
As you can see, the Learn Everything subscription plan is by far the best option if your team needs robust, end-to-end training. But remember: only the Learn Basics plan is included in your software price, so you’ll need to consider how additional training fits into your budget.
If the on-demand Basics training options aren’t enough to fully train your team, start considering if you want to explore Blackbaud’s higher levels of training or seek out a third-party training program. While either can be a viable option, it’s important to determine the best path for your organization so you receive the most comprehensive, strategic training at a budget- and timeline-friendly rate.
Note that Blackbaud only offers online training resources. If you’re looking for an in-person training experience, your best bet is to work with a technology consultant who is willing to meet your team on-site and work side by side with you to get your organization up and running with its software.
Free Online Training Resources for Raiser’s Edge NXT
Lastly, for supplementary Raiser’s Edge NXT training, your nonprofit can check out any of the many free resources available online from Blackbaud:
- Blackbaud Community: Blackbaud has millions of users, and thanks to the Community, you can easily connect with them. Browse the website to read through FAQ articles, connect with members who have similar solutions or missions, and join discussions to get your questions answered.
- Raiser’s Edge NXT Help Center: Use the Help Center to enter a search term and explore a topic of your choice. You can also use this resource to view training materials, keep up with what’s new with Raiser’s Edge NXT, and even submit your suggestions for ways Blackbaud can make the product even better.
- Webinars and Product Briefings: These are free online events. Check Blackbaud’s Events page often to see if there are any upcoming opportunities relevant to your organization or its work.
There are also several third-party resources, including implementation or integration guides, how-tos, and user forums. Be mindful that while user input can be highly valuable, it’s also not always reliable. That’s why you should always seek help from your vendor or a trusted Blackbaud partner with proven experience to fully train your staff.
While online training resources can be good to have on hand for reference, to get the most personalized and comprehensive training experience, you should work with a nonprofit technology consultant. They can outline a training plan that will teach you how to get the most from your Raiser’s Edge NXT platform.
As you begin your RE NXT training journey, remember to consider your organization’s software goals, budget, and unique needs. Once you’ve found the right training fit for your nonprofit, you’ll be a Raiser’s Edge NXT pro in no time at all!
Want to keep reading about nonprofit technology or technology consulting? Check out these recommended articles:
- Raiser’s Edge NXT: A Complete Overview for Nonprofits
- CRM Software: The Guide to Blackbaud Solutions
- Blackbaud Partners for Your Nonprofit: 10 Top Picks
- Nonprofit Consulting Firms: 24 Leaders in Their Spaces
