A non-technical guide to The Raiser's Edge-the most widely-used fundraising database package on the market-for the fundraising professional The first-ever guide to The Raiser's Edge database package for the fundraising professional, Fundraising with The Raiser's Edge: A Non-Technical Guide educates your nonprofit about what The Raiser's Edge can do for you and will help you more effectively work with the staff who are responsible for data entry and output. Helps your organization get much greater return on The Raiser's Edge, and use it to raise more money more effectively and with less stress Contains specific and clear direction on the key areas you should know without technical discussion Includes numerous checklists to give you practical takeaways Providing you with the non-technical details you need to know to recruit, manage and retain quality database personnel, Fundraising with The Raiser's Edge: A Non-Technical Guide will help you in your day-to-day fundraising work without needing to become a database expert.

A non-technical guide to The Raiser's Edge-the mostwidely-used fundraising database package on the market-for thefundraising professionalThe first-ever guide to The Raiser's Edge database package forthe fundraising professional, Fundraising with The Raiser'sEdge: A Non-Technical Guide educates your nonprofit about whatThe Raiser's Edge can do for you and will help you more effectivelywork with the staff who are responsible for data entry andoutput.* Helps your organization get much greater return on The Raiser'sEdge, and use it to raise more money more effectively and with lessstress* Contains specific and clear direction on the key areas youshould know without technical discussion* Includes numerous checklists to give you practicaltakeawaysProviding you with the non-technical details you need to know torecruit, manage and retain quality database personnelFundraising with The Raiser's Edge: A Non-Technical Guidewill help you in your day-to-day fundraising work without needingto become a database expert.

Acknowledgments xiAbout the Author xiiiIntroduction xvChapter 1 Organizing Fundraising 1Getting Started with the Raiser's Edge 2Accessing Campaign, Fund, and Appeal Records 3Defining Campaign, Fund, and Appeal 5Funds 10Appeals 12Campaigns 14Other Considerations 16Summary 20Note 21Chapter 2 Prospects, Donors, and Other Constituents 23Who Should Be Recorded in the Raiser's Edge 24Who Should Be a Constituent 26Constituent Tabs 29Constituent Tabs for Optional Modules 58Tools for Fundraisers 62Summary 64Chapter 3 Gifts and Giving 65Gift Types 67Gift Tabs and Concepts 69Functionality by Gift Type 77Adjustments 82Constituent Giving Totals 83Understanding Gift Processing 85Summary 92Chapter 4 Direct Marketing and Other Mailings 95Four Steps 96Step 1. Output Format 98Step 2. Recipients 99Step 3. Fields 112Step 4. Field Content 115The Mailing Process 120Staff Training 123Reporting 124Putting This Together 124Summary 125Chapter 5 Events and Membership 127Events and Membership in Context 127Events 128Membership 135Summary 140Chapter 6 Major Gifts and Grants 143Basic Major Gifts Fundraising Tools 146The Life Cycle of a Major Gifts Donor in the Raiser's Edge 151Protecting Your Prospects 171Major Gifts Process Reports 173A Word to Corporate and Foundation Fundraisers 177Making It Happen 178Summary 179Note 179Chapter 7 Reporting, Lists, and Other Output 181Output Tools 181Dashboards and Reports to Run 189Event, Membership, and Volunteer Reports 199Custom Reports 200Summary 201Chapter 8 Database Oversight 203Development or IT? 203Database Administrator Roles and Responsibilities 204Hiring 216Retention 220Version 8 of the Raiser's Edge 222Summary 223Conclusion 225Appendix A Converting to and Implementing the Raiser's Edge 229Purchase Process 230Project Participant Training 230Project Planning 230Conversion and Business Process Development 231Custom Reports and Customizations 233Final Push for Go-Live 233After Go-Live 234Appendix B Database Administrator Task List 235Technical Oversight 235User Oversight 237Data Oversight 240Summary 243Appendix C Policy and Procedure Documentation Example: Generating Direct Mail File 245Criteria for Include Query 246Criteria for Exclude Query 246Merge Query Results 247Parameters for Export Files 247Uploading Data 249Marking Appeals and Packages on Constituent Records 249Bibliography 251Index 253