Importing offline donors

Elyse Hoffmann

We are getting ready to send all of our EOY emails through LO.

This time last year, the 2 databases were not synced, and we had to run a query in RE of all 2013 donors and then import those constituents into LO into a group called “2013 EOY offline donors.”

This year, since the two databases are linked, do we still need to run this query in RE? Or is there a more simple way to get this data in LO?

Kent Gilliam

Hi Elyse,

 

It really depends what info you're bringing over and where you're putting it. Are you adding the RE donation data? If so, are you adding it to the "External Gift" fields? 

Kent Gilliam

Kent Gilliam:

Hi Elyse,

 

It really depends what info you're bringing over and where you're putting it. Are you adding the RE donation data? If so, are you adding it to the "External Gift" fields? 

I ask because different orgs synce different amounts of data. Some will only synce contact info, or last gift, or full offline gift history. Not sure which applies to you.

 

Kent

Elyse Hoffmann

Kent Gilliam:

I ask because different orgs synce different amounts of data. Some will only synce contact info, or last gift, or full offline gift history. Not sure which applies to you.

 

Kent

Thank you.

I think that when we did the merger it only syncs contact info and online gifts... which means we probably still need to pull all 2014 gifts entered in RE (checks, credit cards, stock, etc.) and create a new import/group so we don't solicit our current donors. Correct?

Kent Gilliam

Elyse Hoffmann:

Thank you.

I think that when we did the merger it only syncs contact info and online gifts... which means we probably still need to pull all 2014 gifts entered in RE (checks, credit cards, stock, etc.) and create a new import/group so we don't solicit our current donors. Correct?

If you don't have your RE donations synced to LOM then you will need to do an export out of RE and import those people (or that info) info LOM so you can suppress those donors. 

 

Just something to consider.... When you do your export, I would do it based on "last gift date" in RE. Then there are a few options you could consider:

 

1. Emailing those who are only offline donors with a specific message to promote the ease of donating online
2. Filter anyone who has donated recently but use this opportunity to ask for one last online gift
3. Specifically thank the donor for donating offline and promote tax break by making one last tax-deductible gift.

Every org is different but we often recommend that orgs do not filter out someone from an email just because they donated offline in the past. Online gives you an opportunity to at least ask again yet without the high cost of a direct-mail piece.

 

Hope this helps!

Kent