Raiser's Edge NXT Review
Updated May 22, 2018

Raiser's Edge NXT Review

Brady Craighead | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Using Raiser's Edge NXT

6 - Currently Raiser's Edge NXT is utilized by our Development Department, which handles fundraising and related financial tracking.
1 - Our IT department currently supports the Development Department with any NXT or Raiser's Edge related questions or issues. It's important for someone to have prior experience with database software, if not directly with NXT itself.
  • Solicitation assistance through wealth-based analysis
  • Donor prospect research
  • Documentation related to interactions with constituents and organizations
  • The software's action item lists make for a great reminder system with proper upkeep
  • Event planning
Raiser's Edge paired with its web-based NXT platform offer a very simple and easy-to-use service for creating and building relationships with a large constituent base. Compared to other similar services, the functionality that this software offers integrates well into the structure of our organization. It offers a variety of user freedom and doesn't create unnecessary obligations by requiring to use certain parts of the software at all, and there is almost always a way to use a part of it in several ways.
  • Improved consistency with documentation on the relationships with our donors
  • Faster list-building for more "in the moment" decisions

Overall Satisfaction with Raiser's Edge NXT

Raiser's Edge NXT is currently being used by Hospice Austin's Development Department for fundraising. As a non-profit organization, it is important that we are able to record gift and donation information in a way that is easy to browse and retrieve. Raiser's Edge NXT's ability to also provide analytical wealth information and keep our donor's information current is also extremely valuable to us.

The current feedback structure for NXT is easy to use, and interactions with Blackbaud have been productive and transparent. They use input from the various organizations that make up their user base to continually improve the product.

Pros

  • Interface is intuitive and attractive
  • The system feels responsive and information loads quickly
  • As a browser-based client, Raiser's Edge NXT offers mobility and the convenience of being used on mobile/tablet devices

Cons

  • Does not effectively replace traditional Raiser's Edge software - most data entry is still required to be performed from the database software view
  • Lists cannot currently be exported to other file formats to be viewed outside of the client (i.e. Excel, Notepad, Word, etc)
  • Some information, such as donor action items, does not actively update both ways across NXT and the traditional database - for example, adding media to an action item on a donor record does not upload the media to be viewed in the database view
  • Operational Efficiency
  • Increased revenue from new donors
  • Increased revenue from existing donors
  • Increased scalability due to cloud deployment
As a result of implementing use of Raiser's Edge NXT, it is undeniable that our organization's efficiency has improved dramatically. The ability to access our Raiser's Edge database's information on the go has helped employees that need to maintain relationships with donors by allowing them to access information about them when not at their desk. This has ultimately led to noticeable positive trends in donations to our organization from both existing and new donors.
Our organization has most recently benefited from Blackbaud's 'Success Services' system, in which an expert in the field will work with your organization on a personal level to evaluate your revenue and expenses in order to maximize profits. The professionals are courteous and knowledgeable in their fields of expertise and have always been able to answer our questions regarding best practices. The work that they do with other non-profit organizations is invaluable when we have the ability to access this wealth of experience from one person.
I have not used any other product that is similar to Raiser's Edge NXT.
Raiser's Edge NXT is well suited for situations which call for a need to view a donor record in a simple and clean way. It offers the ability to view records on your phone or tablet, in addition to a laptop or desktop computer, regardless of where you are - so long as you have internet access. The interface is optimized for every display and device that we have used it with. NXT may not be the best option for more advanced data entry or logging information like gifts into constituent records. Currently, NXT only supports the ability to add minor updates such as Action Items to constituent records. More advanced record management and data entry has to be handled in the traditional database. The interface is convenient and quick for simply looking up any information.

Evaluating Raiser's Edge NXT and Competitors

  • Price
  • Product Features
  • Prior Experience with the Product
  • Existing Relationship with the Vendor
  • Positive Sales Experience with the Vendor
The features of the software were most important when we made the decision to upgrade/renew our contract for Raiser's Edge to include NXT. We were provided with several demonstrations of the product with the opportunity to try it before making our final decision.
As always, it would be ideal to explore additional options before making our purchasing decision. However, given the research that we were able to do, I feel comfortable that we made a good decision when renewing a contract with Blackbaud.

Raiser's Edge NXT Implementation

Blackbaud was with us every step of the way during the migration of our data to the newer version of the software. They made it as easy as possible, and the huge task that it was was made much easier with their help.
  • Implemented in-house
Not sure - NA
  • Data migration was the biggest challenge, but Blackbaud was very involved and helped make sure we had backups in place in the event that something went wrong.

Raiser's Edge NXT Support

Support is available from nearly every area within the browser or database software. It's almost always literally one click away, and the team has a fantastic response time.
ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
During our initial data migration from a previous version of Raiser's Edge, we received constant support from Blackbaud to help make sure nothing was lost or misplaced within our database. From several weeks before to several weeks after, we had an agent assigned specifically to us that was very easy to get in contact with. She was able to answer all of our questions in a very timely manner.

Using Raiser's Edge NXT

The NXT web view is elegant and loads quickly. There are so many options for support that it's difficult to fault any area that may seem confusing given how easy it is to chat with a representative that knows the software very well.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Building lists based on various criteria for constituents and gift records
  • Searching the database
  • Adding action items to constituent records
  • Uploading media attachments to constituent records
  • Exporting lists created within NXT as opposed to the Raiser's Edge database
Yes - The mobile interface is great. It's very easy to use and designed with mobile devices in mind. The addition of this functionality has had a great impact on our documentation consistency.

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