Collate your data

You'll first need to collate all of your data from any of the places where you might have it stored.

➕ ACTION: If you haven't done so already, it's a useful exercise to create a list of all of these data sources and rank their priority.

Don't panic; we know this sounds like a huge task, but this really is the best place to start. And yes, we really do mean everywhere you store data!

Here are some potential sources you might have data in:

A previous database

You might be moving from another database where all your contacts and their related information has been recorded.

You will need to run an export of all of your data and convert it to CSV format

Spreadsheets

Perhaps your individual teams have been keeping their own spreadsheets to record data over the years, so there are lots of different places data might be stored.

Ask your teams for a copy of all the spreadsheets they currently use to store their data

Third party platforms

It's likely that your previous database and spreadsheets are not the only sources of data you have. If you've used other platforms for your Fundraising, Case management or Trust and Foundation grants, now is the perfect time to consolidate all of that data in Beacon.

Export data from any third party platforms you're currently using and convert it to CSV format.

To mention a few, you might be using platforms such as:

Enthuse
JustGiving
Fundraise up
Facebook
Mailchimp

Example:

I'm going to be moving my data from spreadsheets, so here is a list of the current data points I have that will need to be put into to our standard templates ready for migration.

My data: