Survey - Does anyone outsource their entire RE data entry process?

Tom Benoit · July 2020

I was wondering if pretty much everyone does their RE donor and donation data entry with in-house staff, or if anyone uses an outside firm.

If you do use an outside firm, I would appreciate your letting me know why you went that route. Thank you in advance.

Crystal Bruce · July 2020

Hi! Discussion moved to Raiser's Edge forums. Thanks!

Rose Dixon · July 2020

Crystal, where on this site is the RE Forum located? I can't find it. I type "Raiser's Edge Forum" and it brings up a bunch of topics where you replied that they were moved to the forum, but I don't see a tab for this forum? Thanks.

Tom Benoit · July 2020

to find the topic, you have to go to Product/Solutions across the top and then select Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.

Crystal Bruce · July 2020

Rose Dixon:

Crystal, where on this site is the RE Forum located? I can't find it. I type "Raiser's Edge Forum" and it brings up a bunch of topics where you replied that they were moved to the forum, but I don't see a tab for this forum? Thanks.

Hi! Tom is right, it's located in the Raiser's Edge Community. You can access it at the top under products - but, since you posted the discussion, you'll be notified of any responses and you can just click on the response to find the thread. Thanks!

Katherine Manniion · July 2020

Hi Tom-

My company is a Blackbaud partner company who does exactly this for some of our clients. There are many reasons we see that organizations outsource their RE. Some are because they're "in-between" data entry/gift processing personnel. Some are rebuilding their entire team from the ground up after a data audit and cleanup process. We have clients who have had us do their processing for years, because they find it important to invest in consistent data entry and gift processing, as this is a position that tends to turn over quickly. Remote gift processing does have it's challenges, but is totally doable. I'm happy to answer questions about the process if you want more information.

Katherine

WIST Data Solutions

Dale Anania · July 2020

We do currently outsource our basic data entry to WellsFargo. However, there are many things we still do in-house, like setting up Monthly Sustainers, and anything remotely complicated.

Phillip Bicknell · August 2020

We used to use a third-party to process postal appeals. The advantage was that it meant they had sufficient staff and other clients that they were always kept busy; whereas in house we'd have needed extra staff hours just for the two to three week period after an appeal landed.

But we changed in 2018 after a new director reorganised the marketing and fundraising department. We now have sufficient staff that the backlog is kept tolerable, and their other hours have enabled us to establish much better supporter dialogue and care.

Note that the third-party supplied us spreadsheets against an agreed template, from which we imported to RE. They didn't have direct access to our RE account.

Carlene Johnson · August 2020

Check out The Venti Group as an example of a company that provides Advancement Services for organizations. https://theventigroup.com/ I've spoken to other organizations who recommend their services and I was very impressed with them as a vendor. I'm not necessarily recommending them because I don't have direct experience with them, but wanted to provide an example of some of the options out there.

They have a great model and I think it is a great option for organizations in certain circumstances. Feel free to PM me to talk more about the circumstances under which I was looking at their services. I might be able to put you in touch with one of their clients so you can hear directly from an organization that has outsourced their data/advancement services functions.

Trent Smither · December 2022

@Katherine Mannion
Bumping this thread. Are people still outsourcing gift management? Thanks.

Survey - Does anyone outsource their entire RE data entry process?

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