CRM Software: the Guide to Blackbaud Solutions

Blackbaud Software Overview

Raiser’s Edge NXT is the latest iteration of one of Blackbaud’s most widely-used CRMs, Raiser’s Edge. It’s marketed as a fully functional solution for nonprofit organizations. While it’s less customizable than the other solutions on this list, RE NXT is still scalable to fit the needs of a midsized to large nonprofit. Further, it’s often praised for how user-friendly and accessible it is, especially in comparison to other more customizable solutions such as Blackbaud CRM. RE NXT is equipped with a host of fundraising and relationship management features, such as:

• Donation management features, including online gift processing, donor profiles, and fundraising campaigns
• Supporter engagement features, including extensive donor data management and segmentation to target your outreach and analytics
• Internal operations features, including role-based work centers corresponding to different team members
• Marketing and communications features, including email marketing, social media, and direct mail campaign generation and response tracking

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How Much Does Raiser’s Edge NXT Cost?

Because Raiser’s Edge NXT is a robust CRM solution, it’s not likely to be within the budget for smaller nonprofit organizations. However, midsized and large organizations are directly in Blackbaud’s target market for this solution. If that describes your nonprofit, we recommend requesting a demo from the provider to discover whether RE NXT is a good investment for your organization in the long run. When budgeting for Raiser’s Edge NXT and many of the other solutions on this list, remember that the solution’s total cost extends beyond the licensing fees that grant initial access to the platform. You’ll also want to invest in nonprofit tech strategy consulting to manage the implementation of this solution, including data migration and your team’s training.

When to Select This CRM Software

• You’re a midsized to large nonprofit organization.
• You’ve outgrown smaller donor management solutions or a variety of piecemeal software and are seeking one comprehensive solution.
• You’re looking for a user-friendly solution with a quicker implementation timeline.
• You don’t need a solution with extensive customization capabilities.
• You need a CRM with built-in fundraising and marketing capabilities.

Blackbaud Software Overview

Blackbaud CRM is the provider’s largest-scale nonprofit CRM available. It offers robust, highly expansive data management options for organizations with complex needs. This CRM is best suited for enterprise level organizations that are looking to unite large, multi-dimensional datasets in one solution. It carries specialized functionality such as:

• Analytics features powered by Blackbaud’s native prospect research tool, ResearchPoint, including data modeling and benchmarking
• Multichannel marketing features including a website content management system, data-driven direct mail campaigns, and integrated data across multiple campaigns
• Relationship management features including the ability to streamline multiple fundraising teams and empower on the go fundraisers with constituent information through their smartphones

We should also note that the underlying characteristic of Blackbaud CRM’s functionality is customization. The full functionality of Blackbaud CRM isn’t something that’s built-in and you’ll need to work with a partner to build out the solution to meet your needs. You’ll want to have a plan in place for implementation, customization, and training prior to investing in this solution.

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How Much Does Blackbaud CRM Cost?

Blackbaud CRM is easily the most customizable solution on our list, and with that option comes a higher price point. This solution is likely out of budget for small and midsized organizations and carries a price tag that’s better suited for enterprise size organizations. Because Blackbaud CRM is so customizable, that also means that you’re probably going to need to invest in more extensive Blackbaud-specific consulting services. This should be factored into your initial budgeting.

When to Select This CRM Software

• You’re an enterprise size nonprofit with complex data management needs.
• You’re prepared to spend time and funding to implement your CRM with the help of a consultant.
• You need a highly customizable CRM solution.
• You’ve created a plan for how you’ll adapt your CRM to meet your needs.

Blackbaud Software Overview

eTapestry is Blackbaud’s solution for smaller or growing nonprofit organizations. It offers an assortment of essential fundraising and donor management tools to fulfill the needs of smaller organizations that may not have the resources or need for a more robust solution. While it’s not very customizable, eTapestry is easy to implement without the need for extensive training. The platform offers the following key functionality:

• Data management tools such as cloud-based management, data health screening, and access to National Change of Address services to ensure data is clean and secure
• Fundraising management tools including fundraising dashboards, online donation forms, mobile accessibility, and giving data analytics
• Engagement tools including email campaign creation and tracking, event management, and membership program management

For organizations that are investing in CRM software for the first time and upgrading from a system of disparate spreadsheets, eTapestry is a great solution. It both carries all the functionality a smaller organization would need while being accessible and user-friendly for staff members navigating this type of software for the first time.

How Much Does eTapestry Cost?

eTapestry is the most budget-friendly solution on this list and is best for smaller and growing organizations. Additionally, because the software isn’t customizable, any consulting costs are likely to be significantly lower.

When to Select This CRM Software

• You’re making an initial investment in CRM software but aren’t ready for a large-scale solution.
• Your nonprofit prioritizes affordability and needs a CRM that is budget-friendly.
• Your fundraising goals are simpler and best-served with a straightforward CRM solution.
• You prioritize an easy implementation and ongoing user-friendliness.

Choosing the right CRM for your organization is step one — then, you have to actually implement the solution and create processes for successful ongoing use. Review our top four tips for successfully implementing one of Blackbaud’s CRM solutions into your nonprofit’s tech stack.

Create a Comprehensive Plan for Data Migration

Data migration describes the process of transferring information from your organization’s previous database into your new Blackbaud software. It’s often a pain point for nonprofit organizations. It involves moving high quantities of sensitive data and doing so in a manner that the data is clean and organized effectively in the new system. We recommend that you account for this in advance and create a plan to tackle data migration. This plan should include:

• Bringing in outside assistance, such as a nonprofit technology consultant
• A timeline for the data migration
• Outlined team responsibilities, such as defining who is responsible for ensuring the full migration is completed successfully

Thinking about this ahead of time will make the process as stress free as possible for your team and prevent costly mistakes.

Work with a Developer to Customize Your Solution

If you choose one of the more customizable solutions on this list, such as Blackbaud CRM, you’ll need to work with a developer to build out the platform. Unless your team has an extensive internal development department, this developer will likely need to be an external consultant that specializes in Blackbaud solutions. This developer will work with you to ensure the CRM is configured to meet your nonprofit’s specific data and fundraising management needs. This includes:

• Building out integrations
• Creating automated reports
• Configuring custom fields and other organizational elements

No two nonprofits are the same, and each will have unique database needs. Working with a developer to customize your Blackbaud software will ensure it’s configured correctly to propel your organization to success.

Prioritize Team Training

Whether you’re choosing a robust solution such as Blackbaud CRM or a simpler solution like eTapestry, you’ll want to train your team to use the system effectively. More than likely, your team hasn’t encountered a system in this manner— whether it’s because that system is highly customized or because it’s the first time your organization has invested in a CRM. Training is crucial to ensure users can navigate the system and log information effectively. This prevents knowledge silos from forming. After all, the main point of a CRM is to bring data under one umbrella, so your team can use it to improve operations. There are a few ways to approach team training. You can work with Blackbaud’s training team or bring in a consultant that’s experienced in the products. Either way, you’ll want to document this training, so it can be replicated as new team members join in the future.

Invest in Blackbaud Support

Many of Blackbaud’s CRM solutions are incredibly robust. You’ll want to invest in Blackbaud support for initial migration, platform customization, training, and ongoing updates to ensure you can make the most of the CRM you choose. DNL OmniMedia is a trusted Blackbaud consulting service provider for midsized, large, and enterprise organizations (most often projects of $15,000+). This includes CRM technical strategy, customization, data migration, and team training.

To learn more about our Blackbaud consulting services, contact Team DNL today.

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