Follow this step-by-step new user guide to get started using your database!
Welcome a'baud! Let's introduce you to the amazing resources at your fingertips now that you're live with Raiser's Edge NXT. We'll reference these throughout this Get Started Guide as we explore must-see resources for the topics we'll cover. For more information on how to use these resources, check out the Resource Guide on this page.
Customer Success Sessions
How-to Documentation
Blackbaud Community
Knowledgebase
Chat with Support
Blackbaud University instructor-led training (available through a Blackbaud Learn subscription)*
Blackbaud University free eLearning*
*Our Blackbaud University courses are organized into learning paths. Each recommended training will be linked to the full learning path. From there, you can view the suggested course.
This ten-step guide will get you ready to start using Raiser's Edge NXT to its fullest potential:
Step 1
Get Access to Raiser's Edge NXT and So Much More
The first thing you’ll need to do to harness the goodness of Raiser’s Edge NXT is log in! One key to logging into Raiser’s Edge NXT is setting up your Blackbaud ID, if you haven’t done so already. We’ll also familiarize you with the two views of Raiser’s Edge NXT.Get Started
How to create a Blackbaud IDOne Solution, Two ViewsJointhe Raiser's Edge NXT Community
Take it to the NXT Level
If youare the administrator for your organization, you might also be responsible for inviting users to Raiser’s Edge NXT and assigning them to security roles and groups. You’ll find a review of these steps below.
Logging In and Adding a New User How to Add a User to Raiser's Edge Basics of Security (15 minutes) Introduction to Database Administration Effective Database Administration**Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
Step 2
Constituents Make the World Go 'Round
One of the first keys to Raiser’s Edge NXT success is ensuring that you are effectively tracking your supporters and taking advantage of built-in analytics to keep your data clean. Constituents, and the other record types, are the backbone of Raiser’s Edge NXT, so ensuring these records are properly maintained is a must!Get StartedBasics of Records(15 minutes)Basics of Ratings(15 minutes)
Take it to the NXT Level
Fundamentals - Work Center(Web View) Constituent Updates*Strategies for Duplicate ManagementGet Started with Automated AddressFinderDatabase Health and Administration*
*Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
Step 3
Work Your Work Center
One of the most valuable features of Raiser’s Edge NXT is the new and improved work center. Your work center offers easy access to all the relationships and activity assigned to you as a fundraiser, so that you can stay on top of your open opportunities and next steps. Take the next steps to ensure your work center is set up properly so you can focus your fundraising energy where it matters.Get StartedAre you set up as a fundraiser? Follow these steps to make yourself a fundraiser. (Note: You need a constituent record in the database before you can be a fundraiser! Learn how to add an individual constituent here.)Quickly assign constituents to your portfolio by following these steps.Basics of Fundraising(15 minutes)
Take it to the NXT Level
Power Your Fundraising with Actions and Opportunities
Step 4
Streamline Your Gift Processing
The primary goal of your fundraising efforts is the money you raise toward your mission. Are you streamlining your gift processing so that it is ready to scale? There are two different ways to batch gifts – one simple option is in Web View. This approach is best for entering one-time or recurring gifts, or when you don’t have complex data entry needs like custom fields. For other gift types and more complex gift entry needs, take it to the NXT level and learn how to batch in Database View. Get Started
How to Add a Batch of Gifts(Web View) Entering Gifts in Batches (Web View)Streamline Your Gifts Processing with Receipt Management How to Prepare Donor Acknowledgement Letters
Take it to the NXT Level How to Create a Gift Batch Fundamentals - Gift Management (Web View)
Batch (Database View)*
*Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
Step 5
Accelerate Your Online Giving
Now that you’re familiar with gift processing in Raiser's Edge NXT, let’s take it online! Raiser’s Edge NXT provides you with two different integrated options for accepting online donations: NXT donation forms and Online Express. Similar to what we saw with batches, NXT donation forms are best for accepting one-time or recurring gifts, while Online Express supports pledges, tribute giving, and collection of custom gift fields. With either option, you can quickly generate an easily embeddable donation form that feeds donations directly into your Raiser's Edge NXT database. Get Started
Donation Forms in Raiser's Edge NXT Basics of Blackbaud Online ExpressOnline Express How-To Site
Take it to the NXT Level Donation Forms: Raiser's Raiser's Edge vs. Online Express Online Donation Forms* Insights and Best Practices for Using New Raiser's Edge NXT Donation Forms
*Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
Step 6
Get an Education on Segmentation
Now that you’ve completed the first five steps, you have a pretty good idea of how to enter data into Raiser's Edge NXT… but can you get it back out? Raiser's Edge NXT Lists and Query are two powerful ways of doing just that. Check out these resources to get an education on segmentation in Raiser's Edge NXT. Get Started
Basics of Lists Basics of Query Take it to the NXT Level Love It or LIST It Fundamentals-Query (Database View) Who wore it best? Lists vs. Query
Step 7
Drive Your Fundraising with Better Reporting
To increase the impact on your mission and inform your next steps, it's important to keep your finger on the pulse of your organization's fundraising efforts. Raiser’s Edge NXT offers a multitude of preconfigured and custom reporting options, both in Web View and Database View. Check out the resources below to get started!Get Started
Basics of Reporting(Web View) Basics of Reports (Database View)
Take it to the NXT LevelBasics of Data Extraction(Database View)Actionable Reporting(Database View)*Fundamentals - Lists and Dashboards(Web View)Who wore it best? Database View Reports vs. Web View ReportingFast Wins with Insight Designer and Report Builder
*Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
Step 8
Power Your Marketing and Outreach
Marketing and outreach efforts help you acquire donors, cultivate prospects and volunteers, and invite others to join your organization’s mission. Raiser's Edge NXT enables you to do just this through various channels – mail, email, and social media. Are you making the most of these features to effectively communicate with your constituents? Get Started
Basics of MailBasics of EmailBasics of Social Posting Take it to the NXT Level Learn more about Email Learn more about Social Posting Deciding between Online Express and Raiser's Edge NXT Email Marketing Raiser's Edge NXT: Email* Generating Exports*
*Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
Step 9
Work Smarter with Workflow Designer
Now that you’re up to speed on emails and actions, the next skill you’ll want in your toolkit is Workflow Designer. Workflow Designer allows you to set up simple workflows to automate processes that you might be managing manually right now – think email automation and moves management. Check out the resources below to dive in! Get StartedLearn more about WorkflowsAutomating Actions for Moves Management in Raiser's Edge NXTUsing Workflows to automate emails
Take it to the NXT levelWork Smarter with Workflow DesignerRaiser's Edge NXT Workflows*
*Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
Step 10
Advance Your Fundraising with Raiser's Edge NXT Events
Many organizations leverage events to boost their annual fundraising or further engagement with their supporters. Learn more about how Raiser's Edge NXT can support your event and participant tracking needs with these resources below: Get Started
Basics of EventsLearn more about Events
Take it to the NXT Level
Raiser's Edge NXT Basic Events: Making Events Simpler Raiser's Edge NXT Events*Raiser's Edge NXT or Online Express Registration Forms: Which one is right for you?
*Some courses have pre-requisites. We highly recommend taking the Fundamentals courses or earning your Fundamentals Certification (the test is free!)
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Resource Guide
On-Demand Webinars
These recorded webinars are created by the Blackbaud Customer Success team to walk you through the features and functions of Raiser's Edge NXT that you'll want to use the most, and how to use them effectively and efficiently.
Training
Blackbaud University training is here to help with step-by-step instruction of features and functions. Go at your own pace with free bite-sized eLearning, or if you have access to a Learn subscription, take a live instructor-led course with a sample database.
Knowledgebase
Use the Knowledgebase to find articles with step-by-step instructions on how to perform specific tasks in your database.
How-To Documentation
Refer to How-To Documents for information on features and functions, and how they can be best utilized.
Community
The Blackbaud Community is a great place to connect with others who use your Blackbaud solution. Ask questions or search the community for how your peers are using their database successfully.
Support
If you need help with technical issues or troubleshooting, chat with support to get things back on track.
Now available on-demand.
Watch now
“I wanted information that would not only help us find principal gift and major gift donors, but that would help us across our entire portfolio, including operating donors, low-level donor club, and planned giving society. We wanted to see movement across the board.”
—Audra Jesudason, Senior Director of Development Operations, Houston Zoo
Congratulations!
You've made it through the new-user guide to getting started with Raiser's Edge NXT. We hope this helped get to know your database better, as well as help you understand where to go when you need help!
What do I do now?
The Customer Success team offers an on-demand resource library as well as monthly live interactive sessions. We're here to help you continually optimize your workflows and help you tackle the busiest of times with seasonal topics.
- View our lineup of upcoming sessions
- Explore our on-demand resource library
Have a Blackbaud University Learn® trainingsubscription? Explore the complete list of Raiser's Edge NXT courses for even more courses.
- Explore the completeRaiser's Edge NXTtraining curriculum
- View the free eLearning courses
- Ready for more advanced training to level up your knowledge? Check out our Power User Learning Path.
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People in 164 countries are raising billions for the causes they care about. See how you can, too!
Learn more
Lorem Ipsum
People in 164 countries are raising billions for the causes they care about. See how you can, too!
Learn more
Lorem Ipsum
People in 164 countries are raising billions for the causes they care about. See how you can, too!
Learn more
