RE - a good tool if you are big enough and ready for it
Overall Satisfaction with Raiser's Edge
My previous employer used The Raiser's Edge as the fundraising database for each campus of a multi-campus university system. The campuses maintained their own separate copy of the database, meaning that we had six or more separate sets of data.
Pros
- RE was made for fundraising. This is the focus it has so it is set up to anticipate all of the various ways that fundraisers and administration will need to access and manipulate the data.
- RE has created modules that allow the organization to pick and choose what elements it will require. The modules work well and are planned appropriately.
- RE will hold all types of data and is easy to pull the data out.
- Because it so popular, there are a number of products that work well with RE in terms of integration.
Cons
- RE is complex so it is difficult to manage for a small shop.
- RE will require a bit of training to bring users up to speed in fully using the management tools it provides.
- Imports are very difficult to do. They almost require a dedicated RE manager to oversee.
- RE is expensive. Small shops should not buy a Mercedes if they can do everything they need with a Prius.
- Actions helped our group to improve the major gift pipeline management.
- The integrated email allowed us to connect with alumni in personal ways; the birthday notes always felt personal even though we sent large numbers at a time.
- Easy reports allowed us to identify prospects to move up the giving ladder.
I'm currently using Salesforce at another organization and have not been happy to make a general business product fit into the fundraising landscape. I inherited this system and it was not well-thought out before implementation. I'm now faced with re-building a program that is used for other areas of the agency as well which will make it more complicated. Having a program that is built for your specific needs helps.
Using Raiser's Edge
6 - alumni, grants, fundraising
We needed to get a dedicated RE expert on staff. Not having one really limited our ability to use the system most effectively.
- Building relationships with alumni through integrated email and action/pipeline
- Tracking grants and major gift process
- Reporting on participation rates and giving levels
- We never got there due to small staff
- Incredible potential to build relationship and strategy if it is used optimally
Raiser's Edge Support
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed Immediate help available Quick Initial Response | None |
Yes
We couldn't have survived without it and the extra training.
No - N/A
I would not describe their team as exceptional in customer service. I received the care I would expect from a large company.
Using Raiser's Edge
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Like to use Well integrated Consistent Feel confident using | Unnecessarily complex Requires technical support Slow to learn Cumbersome Lots to learn |
- Integration is a dream
- Very complete view of data
- Reports are amazing once you get to know what you are doing
- ugh doesn't say enough about this.
- Reports really require thoughtful consideration and understanding of how it pulls data and the connections
Yes, but I don't use it - Don't know - we never got there.
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