Batch Gift Entry in RE/RE NXT

Len Gutman

Can anyone point me to step-by-step directions for how to enter multiple gifts at the same time in RE/RE NXT? I receive a spreadsheet every week with United Way gifts and I know there's a way to upload those gifts in batch but I am new to RE. Thanks.

Vered Siegel 2

Hi Len!

I think you might be having a hard time finding what you're looking for because you're mixing up some terminology. If you have a spreadsheet of gifts from United Way that you need to get into Raiser's Edge, you can Import them into Raiser's Edge, but you cannot import into a Batch. Batch entry is a separate function.

I would recommend exploring the course catalog for your training package, if you need/want training on how to Import.

Some folks like to create recurring gift batches for United Way gifts that they receive distributions from regularly, but because of the mobility of donors in and out of their jobs, I've been hearing lately that this method is becoming more burdensome as a recurring gift batch than it used to be. If anyone else could chime in with their recent experience, that would be great!

Jeannie Goings

We use Omatic and import to a batch. This allows our gift processing team a chance to review the gifts before they are imported and committed. There is a tick box on a gifts tab that enables this process: “Import gifts to a batch.”

Jayme Fancher

We also use the Omatic software to import to a batch. It takes some legwork to get the import set up correctly and field map to a spreadsheet, but it is a time saver if there is a large number of gifts and/or if the template of your import isn't expected to change often (if you're importing the same fields multiple times). For general import (that is native to RE) I think that just sends gifts to records, not batches. Hope that helps.

Karen Diener 2

Hi Len,

I always like to suggest that people make use of the product they already purchased, or a free third-party product. I have worked for - and with - many nonprofits who simply cannot or will not purchase more software. I worked at one that didn't even have $250 for a printer, so I recognize that “just a few thousand dollars for more software" might not go over well.

For that reason, I have two suggestions. One is to start using recurring batches in RE. Note you are not creating recurring gifts - a recurring batch is one that you can use over and over.

A lot depends on the data you get each week. If it is different each week this may not be a great option. But if the gifts are the same the first Friday of every month, for instance, you could create a batch for that week. And the same for the gifts that you receive the second Friday and so on.

Basic info about recurring batches is in Blackbaud's knowledgebase, and that article has a link to the batch entry guide. There is just enough to learn about batches that it would be difficult for anyone to provide a slimmed down version of how to do this, because so much depends on your internal business processes.

One other option is a tool called Importacular. I am fairly certain that they offer a free version which will allow you to import gifts.

Good luck!

Karen