Consulting Services

No two clients are the same and I don't use a rigid approach. I work with very small charities up to midsize nonprofits. Here's some examples of the sort of work I do:

CRM assessment/audit & cleanup

• Conducting a snapshot assessment or full in-depth audit: reviewing your CRM and recommending adjustments in the structure of your data, its quality and the procedures you use, and then implementing those changes. This is the most common service requested and will help you see the most dramatic changes to the usefulness of your database. I love doing cleanups and seeing the positive impact they have, from quick cleans of small databases to large systems that take over 100 hours to complete.
  
• Performing a standalone cleanup of your data, targeting faulty addresses, duplicates and redundant information. Depending on your needs, this might also include identifying records for deletion to help reduce your record count and lessen the risk of storing surplus information.

Interim support

• Providing short-term coverage when you need a trusted pair of hands to keep the wheels turning while you recruit a new person. Responsibilities might include entering gifts, updating records, generating thank you letters and tax statements, responding to requests for reports, importing data and supporting CRM users.
  
• Dedicated timeslots each week when your users can call on me for support and when you know your gift entry and other key processes will be done.
  

CRM & platform selection

Performing a software gap analysis when you are considering moving from your current CRM or website platform to another system. Identifying likely roadblocks and issues that will need fixing, estimating a realistic timeline and making a recommendation on whether you should stay or go.

Database management

• Catching up on backlogs of data entry; importing new records or updates to existing records; short notice support when you get new datasets that you need imported in a hurry; generating your Gift Aid claim; batch entry of gifts; running imports regularly for you when you don't have the resources to do this.
• Preparing segments for mailings and emails, designing the criteria, managing duplicates and generating files for your mailing house. Setting up structures to track the mailing response and fixing inherited problems so you can run appeals more smoothly with better outcomes. Providing instructions and training so you can confidently prepare mailing lists yourself.
• Setting up acknowledgement letter and stewardship processes, whether you need to do bulk letter runs or one-off thank you's.
• Performing a regular targeted sweep of duplicates and other troublesome data so you can get on with using the full potential of the system.
• Setting up maintenance tasks and a realistic schedule to help you keep your database in good shape.

CMS management, website & email design

• Updating your website's content management system (CMS) and email campaign templates to reflect a new design and branding.
• Setting up new event webpages and forms, such as a sponsored run.
  
• Creating and queueing emails when you don't have staff availability to do this.
• Updating bounced emails from your CMS or email platform into your CRM to improve the health of your email lists and reduce the risk of your messages being tagged as spam.
• Cleaning out surplus content from your CMS to improve usability, targeting broken pages and duplicate items.
• Fixing features that aren't working or are on your to-do list but you never have the time to complete.

System-specific services:

The Raiser's Edge 7 & NXT

• Helping you prepare for the evolution of Raiser's Edge NXT to unified view and sunset of database view (15th September 2027). Reviewing your data and processes, identifying gaps in new functions and implementing appropriate solutions; identifying data that needs cleaning and completing these tasks; strategising when to move your processes to web view; supporting your team through this bumpy time.
  
• Setting up acknowledgement letter and stewardship processes using LetterBox or export, whether you need to do bulk letter runs or one-off thank you's.
• Helping you make sense of fields that are crucial for Raiser's Edge to function well, such as Campaigns, Appeals and Constituent Codes. Setting up best practice structures for optional functions like Custom Fields/Attributes, Actions, Prospects and Events.
• Helping you adapt to changes in importing (using the new tools vs. a plugin like Importacular NXT).

eTapestry

• Implementing key fields and structures to enable more useful reporting, such as Account Type and Prospect tracking.
• Creating a reliable segmentation process for your mailings and emails.
  

Luminate Online, NetCommunity & Online Express

• Assessing Luminate Online and its connection with your Raiser's Edge, recommending adjustments to improve performance and cleaning up any nagging data issues.
  
• Changing the design of your Luminate Online pages using clean, robust HTML and CSS.
  
• Creating email campaigns when you need help getting these out - such as end-of-year, before special events and during capital campaigns.
  
• Moving your forms and online presence from Online Express or NetCommunity to NXT Donation Forms, Luminate Online or another platform in time for the sunset of these programmes on 15th September 2027.
  

Data protection services:

Donor preferences & compliance - UK

• Examining your CRM and processes to make sure you are meeting your obligations under UK GDPR. This might include reviewing your privacy policy, testing the end user experience of your digital forms and opt-out mechanisms and talking to your staff about how they handle supporter information.
  
• Helping you make the most of the new soft opt-in marketing rules for charities in the UK. Making sure your data and processes are in good shape, interpreting the ICO and Fundraising Regulator guidance for your specific organisation and identifying what you need to change in your CRM and other systems to achieve (and maintain) compliance.

Donor preferences & compliance - USA

• Conducting a customised presentation to your fundraising operations team, senior leadership and board to explain state privacy laws and what your organisation may need to do to comply. These sessions do not constitute legal advice: they help demystify what privacy law is about, recommend a way forward and inspire your team to embrace the opportunity in supporting donor privacy needs.
  
• Analysing your data handling processes, data inventory and privacy policy to identify areas for attention.
• Setting up structures in your CRM and website for tracking consent and donor preferences.
  
• Setting up a process for responding to view/amend/remove requests and training your team on it.
• See also my resources pages for the sort of topics I can create guidance on, such as data retention, sharing information with volunteers and fundraisers, setting up Consents in Raiser's Edge and interrogating what personal information data points you hold.

Questions? If any of the above sounds like the sort of help you need, contact me. Not sure if consulting is right for you? I break down here what it's like and why it might be just what you need.

Collaborations
Sometimes I bring in colleagues who have expertise on a particular project need. Find out more about the trusted colleagues I work with.

Salesforce
Looking for Salesforce implementation help? Whilst I can assist with the Raiser's Edge side there are others who will be able to help you navigate the challenges of migrating to the Salesforce platform. I recommend reaching out to Craftsman Technology Group in Boston - ask for BJ Cortis, my former colleague from Heller Consulting.

Power BI & Power Automate
Looking for help with setting up Power BI and Power Automate that work with your Raiser's Edge? This is not something I work in (yet) but there are experts out there you can reach out to: Lucy Ruiz at Sentinel Consulting; the analytics team at Craftsman Technology Group.