Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Do you do consulting on any fundraising databases other than The Raiser's Edge®?
Answer: Mostly, no. I believe The Raiser's Edge is a sophisticated database program with
extensive functionality and nuances, especially when one considers the reaches of all the
additional modules available, including major gifts, event management, membership and
volunteer management. I want to provide the most knowledgeable, most experienced, most
capable consulting possible on The Raiser's Edge and I believe to do this requires complete
focus on this single product.
There are a number of general and important fundraising database practices that are not unique to
The Raiser's Edge that I can assist any organization with--such as staffing, coding, and technical
support issues--and I would be happy to talk to you about assistance in this area.
Q: Do you provide consulting on other Blackbaud products besides The Raiser's Edge?
Answer: Mostly, no. Again, I believe The Raiser's Edge is such an extensive program that to
provide the best available consulting on this product requires complete focus on this single
product. Blackbaud's other product families are similarly extensive and deserve their own
single-minded focus by others.
However, I have and continue to provide consulting on integrating The Raiser's Edge with The
Financial EdgeTM. This includes not just the technical linkage of the two products but an
understanding of the fundraising and financial concepts necessary to facilitate a discussion
between the development/advancement/fundraising and accounting/finance offices of
organizations.
Q: Do you provide consulting to help organizations select and buy fundraising software?
Answer: No and yes. Given my intimate knowledge and association with The Raiser's Edge, I
understand that organizations may wish to use other consultants who make database selection
their primary focus and are more broadly versed in the available products than I am.
However, for organizations that are considering purchasing The Raiser's Edge I can provide very
valuable and potentially money-saving services. Please see the Consulting page of my website
for more information.
Q: Do you provide consulting on other fundraising technology products and services, such as
web and email software, services and fundraising approaches?
Answer: No. While I stay abreast of industry trends and happenings, especially as they relate to
fundraising databases in general and The Raiser's Edge in particular, I focus my efforts and
expertise on providing the best possible consulting on The Raiser's Edge and encourage you to
consult with others for assistance with these other valuable technical tools.
Q: What is the "CFRE" after your name?
Answer: CFRE is an acronym for Certified Fundraising Executive and is "the only
internationally-recognised baseline professional credential for philanthropic fundraising
executives" (www.cfre.org). Earning this credential requires at least 5 years experience as a
fundraiser, completion and acceptance of an extensive application, and passing a rigorous test on
fundraising practices and principles.
Q: What is your relationship to Blackbaud? What does "Bill Connors is neither supported nor
endorsed by Blackbaud" mean?
Answer: I have no "official" relationship with Blackbaud. I am an independent consultant.
Blackbaud has no certification or partnership programs for consultants on The Raiser's Edge.
This statement on my website and elsewhere is simply a legally-required disclaimer since I use
the name of their product, The Raiser's Edge, which is trademarked by Blackbaud. I resigned from
Blackbaud after 7 exciting and positive years as an employee and contractor in June 2005 on the
best of terms and continue a very good relationship with Blackbaud and its employees on behalf of
my clients.
Answer: Mostly, no. I believe The Raiser's Edge is a sophisticated database program with
extensive functionality and nuances, especially when one considers the reaches of all the
additional modules available, including major gifts, event management, membership and
volunteer management. I want to provide the most knowledgeable, most experienced, most
capable consulting possible on The Raiser's Edge and I believe to do this requires complete
focus on this single product.
There are a number of general and important fundraising database practices that are not unique to
The Raiser's Edge that I can assist any organization with--such as staffing, coding, and technical
support issues--and I would be happy to talk to you about assistance in this area.
Q: Do you provide consulting on other Blackbaud products besides The Raiser's Edge?
Answer: Mostly, no. Again, I believe The Raiser's Edge is such an extensive program that to
provide the best available consulting on this product requires complete focus on this single
product. Blackbaud's other product families are similarly extensive and deserve their own
single-minded focus by others.
However, I have and continue to provide consulting on integrating The Raiser's Edge with The
Financial EdgeTM. This includes not just the technical linkage of the two products but an
understanding of the fundraising and financial concepts necessary to facilitate a discussion
between the development/advancement/fundraising and accounting/finance offices of
organizations.
Q: Do you provide consulting to help organizations select and buy fundraising software?
Answer: No and yes. Given my intimate knowledge and association with The Raiser's Edge, I
understand that organizations may wish to use other consultants who make database selection
their primary focus and are more broadly versed in the available products than I am.
However, for organizations that are considering purchasing The Raiser's Edge I can provide very
valuable and potentially money-saving services. Please see the Consulting page of my website
for more information.
Q: Do you provide consulting on other fundraising technology products and services, such as
web and email software, services and fundraising approaches?
Answer: No. While I stay abreast of industry trends and happenings, especially as they relate to
fundraising databases in general and The Raiser's Edge in particular, I focus my efforts and
expertise on providing the best possible consulting on The Raiser's Edge and encourage you to
consult with others for assistance with these other valuable technical tools.
Q: What is the "CFRE" after your name?
Answer: CFRE is an acronym for Certified Fundraising Executive and is "the only
internationally-recognised baseline professional credential for philanthropic fundraising
executives" (www.cfre.org). Earning this credential requires at least 5 years experience as a
fundraiser, completion and acceptance of an extensive application, and passing a rigorous test on
fundraising practices and principles.
Q: What is your relationship to Blackbaud? What does "Bill Connors is neither supported nor
endorsed by Blackbaud" mean?
Answer: I have no "official" relationship with Blackbaud. I am an independent consultant.
Blackbaud has no certification or partnership programs for consultants on The Raiser's Edge.
This statement on my website and elsewhere is simply a legally-required disclaimer since I use
the name of their product, The Raiser's Edge, which is trademarked by Blackbaud. I resigned from
Blackbaud after 7 exciting and positive years as an employee and contractor in June 2005 on the
best of terms and continue a very good relationship with Blackbaud and its employees on behalf of
my clients.
Copyright 2006-2008 Bill Connors 415.861.5454
The Raiser's Edge and The Financial Edge are trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc. Bill Connors is
neither supported nor endorsed by Blackbaud.
The Raiser's Edge and The Financial Edge are trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc. Bill Connors is
neither supported nor endorsed by Blackbaud.
Bill Connors, CFRE
Expert, Independent Consulting and Training on The Raiser’s Edge
Expert, Independent Consulting and Training on The Raiser’s Edge
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