FundSvcs Community

Hi everyone,

My team is currently exploring the possibilities of using the Almabase software in conjunction with Raiser's Edge (RE) NXT (web view and database view). While we have done some research on our own already, we would like to hear from the community about any first-hand experiences with using Almabase and RE NXT. We have compiled a list of questions on some specific topics below, but we are very much open to any and all thoughts about Almabase and RE NXT even if it is not mentioned in our list. Thank you all in advance for taking the time to share your experiences and insights!

1. User Experience
   • Have you used Almabase software for alumni management?
   • Can you share your overall experience with the platform?
   • What specific features or functionalities have you found most helpful?
   • What are your thoughts on the ease of use and user interface?
2. Implementation and Setup
   • Can you describe the process of implementing Almabase with Raiser's Edge NXT web view?
   • What were the key challenges or obstacles you encountered during setup?
   • How long did the overall implementation process take?
   • What resources or support did you find helpful during setup?
3. Gift Processing
   • Can you explain the workflow for processing gifts through Almabase and integrating them into Raiser's Edge NXT web view?
   • What specific steps are involved in this process?
   • How does Almabase handle data mapping and synchronization with Raiser's Edge NXT?
   • Have you experienced any difficulties or limitations with the gift processing feature?

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Emily Yeh
Oglethorpe University
eyeh@oglethorpe.edu
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Hello Emily!

I don't have a moment this week to reply to every question, but I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.  Or I am happy to have a phone call or virtual meeting to give you the lowdown on our experience with Almabase thus far if you would like. (We are just nearing the end of Year 1)

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Jennifer L. Boettger
Director of Advancement Services
Coe College
jboettger@coe.edu
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Hello Jennifer and Emily, 

I would be very interested to know more about your experience with the implementation and setup of Almabase. Our CRM is RE/NXT and we are about to enter into a contract with Almabase. If you do set up a call, I would be thrilled to join.

Thank you!

Tony

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Tony Exler
Lipscomb University
tony.exler@lipscomb.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-18-2023 02:17 PM
From: Jennifer Boettger
Subject: Experience with Almabase and Raiser's Edge NXT

Hello Emily!

I don't have a moment this week to reply to every question, but I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.  Or I am happy to have a phone call or virtual meeting to give you the lowdown on our experience with Almabase thus far if you would like. (We are just nearing the end of Year 1)

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Jennifer L. Boettger
Director of Advancement Services
Coe College
jboettger@coe.edu
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I too am looking into Almabase as a replacement for NetCommunity, but I also have competing products that I would like to see if Almabase can do the same things (or better).  I'm really interested in hearing more of your thoughts on pricing structure.

I would be happy to join a call.

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Rosalyn Galloway
North Carolina Central University
rgallow7@nccu.edu
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Hey there-- we are implementing almabase now as a replacement for NetCommunity. We've had a good experience so far, but it's early days. Sounds like there may be interest among several others to share and chat. If you set something up, I'm happy to join. 
Susan Quinn

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Susan Quinn
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Susan.quinn@lr.edu
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FYI

In response to this post, a small group of AASP members are joining me in a Zoom call tomorrow to talk about Almabase and RENXT.  If you'd like to sit in and haven't already been added to the invite, let me know and I can add you.  It is tomorrow, January 18 at 1:30 PM Central Standard Time.  Sorry for the last-minute notice.  

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Jennifer L. Boettger
Director of Advancement Services
Coe College
jboettger@coe.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2024 12:50 PM
From: Susan Quinn
Subject: Experience with Almabase and Raiser's Edge NXT

Hey there-- we are implementing almabase now as a replacement for NetCommunity. We've had a good experience so far, but it's early days. Sounds like there may be interest among several others to share and chat. If you set something up, I'm happy to join. 
Susan Quinn

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Susan Quinn
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Susan.quinn@lr.edu
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I am sorry I missed this call, but I didn't know we were looking into Almabase then. If someone has a few minutes, I would like to find out if this is as good as it looks in the demos. We are looking at using it for our events and we just want to make sure it will do everything we need it to do and that it is an easy integration with NXT and RE.

Thank You for any help you can give me

Cindy Hornbeck

Assistant Director, Donor Relations & Gift Processing

940-898-3894

CHornbeck1@twu.edu

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Cynthia Hornbeck
Texas Woman's University
CHornbeck1@twu.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2024 05:04 PM
From: Jennifer Boettger
Subject: Experience with Almabase and Raiser's Edge NXT

FYI

In response to this post, a small group of AASP members are joining me in a Zoom call tomorrow to talk about Almabase and RENXT.  If you'd like to sit in and haven't already been added to the invite, let me know and I can add you.  It is tomorrow, January 18 at 1:30 PM Central Standard Time.  Sorry for the last-minute notice.  

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Jennifer L. Boettger
Director of Advancement Services
Coe College
jboettger@coe.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2024 12:50 PM
From: Susan Quinn
Subject: Experience with Almabase and Raiser's Edge NXT

Hey there-- we are implementing almabase now as a replacement for NetCommunity. We've had a good experience so far, but it's early days. Sounds like there may be interest among several others to share and chat. If you set something up, I'm happy to join. 
Susan Quinn

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Susan Quinn
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Susan.quinn@lr.edu

HI we are on RE NXT and are looking into Almabase and I found your chat here.  Its an old chat so hope some of you are using Almabase now and can tell me a little bit about the pros and cons you have encountered since switching over.  One big concern I have is how it handles the match process during event registrations and if you get alot of duplicates you have to merge later.  Also when you sync gifts over to RE and batch is created is there an option in the batch setup to have a gift subtype come over in the batch in RE. 

Beth Unruh Arnold

Ithaca college 

Senior gift and data records specialist

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Beth Unruh-Arnold
Ithaca College
eunruh@ithaca.edu
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We're also exploring Almabase, particularly its Events, Gift Processing/Checkout, and Email Marketing modules. Since we use RE NXT and still work in Database View, we've found Blackbaud's built-in tools for these functions to be lacking. Like many, we struggle with duplicate records from event registrations, though I suspect that's an issue with any platform.

So far, we've had two demos and tested the sandbox. The Email Marketing module seems strong, but I'm still getting used to the Gift Processing and Event Registration features. I expect they'd become more intuitive with training and regular use, but I'd love to hear from others who have implemented these modules with Raiser's Edge. Any insights?

Thanks,

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Kathryn Rusak
College for Creative Studies
krusak@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
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