Blackbaud Online Express vs. DonorSearch

For 100% tax-deductible donations, I 9.5/10 recommend Blackbaud Online Express. The only thing is that it does not charge debit cards automatically, so I have to do it myself. Using Blackbaud Online Express forms for events gets more complicated. The way events work in Raiser's Edge in general is already complicated, so maybe it's more on Raiser's Edge than it is Blackbaud Online Express.

Incentivized

I would say DonorSearch is well suited as you set out to build donor profiles. I think there are excellent background information on spouses, addresses, real estate holdings, giving priorities, etc. I also like it for grant research - you can find funders who may be interested in your philanthropic priorities and occasionally what those timelines are. I would not suggest using this for absolute strangers to your organization - too much to work through.

• Automatically matches the donor to a constituent in the database, if there is one, and gives you the opportunity to search if a match isn't found.
• If gift is in honor or memory of someone, it matches the tribute in the database, if it already exists. If not, you are able to easily create a new one.
• Transaction reports are easily accessible on the Blackbaud Merchant Services site.

Incentivized

• Broad inclusion of information
• Prior giving records
• Address information

• Access via Blackbaud's web portal, and to Citrix, is clumsy and slow.
• User creation and management is also clumsy, slow, and error-prone.
• Integration with Raiser's Edge is a pro, but it also can make using Online Express more complicated than necessary for users just looking for a simple email marketing tool.

Incentivized

• Too many names included even when the correct address has been provided for the initial query
• Not providing total clarity about DonorSearch specific definitions
• Providing too much info from low-quality profiles

Very clean interface and easy to navigate based on labeling. Also, the onboarding process is very easy to follow and understand! DonorSearch also does weekly webinars that help and are insightful when looking to learn new things about the system

Incentivized

Customer service for all of Blackbaud's products has really lacked over the years. They are starting to get better in the last year but it can very frustrating. The online knowledge base community is the best resource for information. At times it can take hours for a customer sect even rep to help with questions or problems which is not at all ideal in this industry.

Incentivized

Blackbaud's Online Express is MUCH easier to use than NetCommunity. Having the ability to "drop" donation forms directly into our existing website is a big improvement over NetCommunity's web pages. Only wish Online Express offered the ability to track constituents sign up for different email communications rather than just one option.

Incentivized

DonorSearch was the first product we onboarded for our donor research and haven't left them because of the success we have had with them so far!

Incentivized

• Regardless of project or initiative, all fund-raising efforts are managed in one place for the entire organization.
• Donor management is concise, thorough, and systematic - no individual or organization is overlooked.
• Snapshot reporting of successful grant applications and fund-raising are readily available.

Incentivized

• There has not been a negative impact
• We have been able to get a jumpstart on many leads
• We are able to see whose giving aligns with our organization