Item: Blackbaud eTapestry
Rating: 1
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Blackbaud eTapestry

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Blackbaud eTapestry was used to record data relating to our fundraising activity.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Records data
Event management

Cons

Prospect tracking
Website integration as standard
Mentoring and networking functionality as standard
Merchandise shop and stock management as standard
Better payment systems that don't involve two different providers for DDs and single payments
Better reporting that is less complicated than compound query building

Return on Investment

Consolidation of event management
Enabled us to start collecting donations online

We have actually decided to move to a new product, having evaluated two that do not feature on the list above! Both offer much greater functionality as standard and are much cheaper than running Blackbaud eTapestry. We are now able to:

Build and control the content of our alumni webpages directly from the database (with the ability to develop additional skins)
Have enhanced event management, including seat selection, table/group management, etc.
Advanced prospect management capabilities
Streamlined payment system with one processor
Advanced reporting capabilities that are simple to use
Enhanced easy-to-use communications functionality
Built-in merchandise store with stock management
Built-in business directory
Built-in mentoring functionality (negating the need for a 3rd party provider)
Built-in giving day functionality

Key Insights

Do you think Blackbaud eTapestry delivers good value for the price?

Are you happy with Blackbaud eTapestry's feature set?

Did Blackbaud eTapestry live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Blackbaud eTapestry go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Blackbaud eTapestry again?

Likelihood to Recommend

If you are a small organisation just starting out and not planning any major fundraising activity, this is a solid database. It does, however, lack functionality in comparison to its competitors; therefore, you will need lots of add-ons if you want to run giving days, a merchandise shop, or a mentoring programme, for example. For me, it is expensive for what it does, and other providers offer better vfm. The online chat, when available, is good if you have an issue. However, I have found the overall customer service disappointing post-purchase. I used RE7 for many years, so I had high hopes for Blackbaud eTapestry. Sadly, I think the product has not been developed enough to keep pace with the market, and the overall service level has been disappointing.

Comments

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Disappointingly hasn't kept pace with the competition