The first step in importing data into 'Donor Management' is deciding what information to include.
We recommend you follow the steps below to help you choose which sources may contain relevant data and whether you want to incorporate them into your new system.
Step 1: Review your previous donor management systems
If your organization is migrating from another donor management platform, assess the data within that system. Identify what information is valuable and should be carried over to your new platform.
Many platforms provide instructions on exporting data, but we have also compiled a helpful guide for you here.
Step 2: Gather your historical donor or donation data
If your organization has not previously used a donor management platform, you may have manually tracked donor and donation records in spreadsheets.
We recommend you collect and consolidate data from your spreadsheets. Before importing, take the time to clean and organize the data to ensure a smooth self-import process.
Step 3: Check your existing financial management systems
Beyond donor management platforms, you might also use financial management tools like QuickBooks to track transactions. If so, consider transferring relevant financial data into 'Donor Management' to ensure your records are as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible.
Step 4: Review your e-mail contact lists
Your previous donor management system may have stored donor contact information - but, you may also have engaged with donors through external e-mail platforms such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or Gmail.
To build a fresh, updated mailing list in 'Donor Management', consider exporting contacts from these platforms.
Step 5: Assess event management data
If you have used event management software in the past, review your historical event data to determine if it should be imported into 'Donor Management'.
Since your fundraising tools support events and auction-specific pages, having past event records could help re-engage former attendees for future events.
Step 6 (OPTIONAL): Start fresh!
If you do not have historical data from any of these sources - or if your available data is outdated - you may prefer to start fresh.
You can manually add key contacts such as board members, family, and colleagues directly into 'Donor Management'.
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