Celeste had inquired about my opinion on Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge (RE) in a recent comment (post). It’s a program that has dominated fundraising and one that I’ve worked with quite a bit. However I should clarify, I don’t work with Raiser’s Edge (info) directly. That is: not the database end of it. I do manage the installations, upgrades, maintenance, and troubleshooting, and currently work closely with a very talented in-house DBA. On occasion I do find myself in the development tools, though. Between the DBA’s experience and my own, I find RE to be a well conceived, well supported application. It does exactly what it is meant to do and seems to do so quite competently. More often than not, problems I come across have solutions found in the online knowledgebase. While the DBA has outwitted many of the Blackbaud support staff, I have felt they are all well enough trained for my needs, patient, responsive, and clear. That’s what I need from my complex-application providers.
If you’ve not used RE, be prepared for a couple of things.
1) Complexity. Logically constructed and versatile though it may be, RE requires training for effective use. I would never setup an RE database without help. After training, new functions can be picked up relatively easily. It helps to have a dedicated staff person on RE, but there are plenty of consultants specializing in the product if needs arise.
2) Expensive. Blackbaud has made an industry out of charging non-profits exorbitant prices. Their products seem well worth it though. I would recommend RE if your non-profit can handle the initial and recurring costs.
Due to RE’s costs, I recommend a few things. Speak to other non-profits that use RE to understand the full scope of RE’s deployment into your organization. Don’t limit yourself to just the ones Blackbaud provides as references. An investment of this level shouldn’t just make fundraising and customer management easier. This product should shape the way your development department operates, opening up new roads to money and constituent generation. Have a plan for growth in place before you buy and be willing to change that plan as you experience the strengths and weaknesses of RE.