Dreading migrating your data to a new CRM? Discover how you can easily upload all donor, transaction, and communication records data to Donorbox CRM with the Donor & Data Imports feature.
When it comes to fundraising, data is everything. And yet 60% of nonprofit professionals report they don’t use data to make decisions. The other 40% of fundraisers rely on tools like a comprehensive CRM to provide ongoing access to data about donors, transactions, campaign success, and more. These fundraisers recognize the value of data – and the tools needed to store and sort it.
Donorbox CRM’s Donor and Data Imports feature makes it easy to get up and running with a streamlined, powerful CRM – no headaches required.
Let’s see how Donorbox CRM’s easy imports can help you simplify data management.
We know you’re busy. Between maintaining donor relationships, tracking your fundraising goals, and plotting your next major campaign, the time required to manually transfer your data from one CRM to another is nonexistent.
Donor and Data Imports is a quick way to upgrade your CRM experience to Donorbox’s powerful CRM so you have everything you need in one place.
Remember those incredible time-saving tools we mentioned? Donorbox CRM is built with AI functionality that helps you pull reports and craft fundraising materials, an all-in-one Mail Center, and so much more.
Check out everything Donorbox CRM has to offer in this article.
When someone gives to your cause, they are trusting you to be responsible stewards of their data. Using Donorbox CRM’s quick Donor and Data Imports feature to transfer existing data means your donors’ information is safe and sound.
To learn more about Donorbox’s industry-leading security standards, visit this page.
We know how chaotic it can be keeping your donor communications in one file, your donor contact info in another, and your transactions in a separate database. This approach can make an already hectic fundraising season even more scattered.
The Donorbox CRM Donor and Data Imports feature means you can streamline your data management and quickly combine everything in one comprehensive platform.
Ready for a new and improved donor management experience – but not ready for the arduous process of migrating all of your data?
Donor and Data Imports makes the process of switching to a new CRM a breeze. No stress, no hassle.
There are three types of CSV imports to easily upload your data to Donorbox CRM:
In this section, we’ll show you how to do all three to ensure you have everything you need in your CRM.
Note: The amount of contacts you can import depends on your Donorbox CRM plan. For example, if you have a 500 contact plan and import 600 contacts, 100 of those contacts will be displayed as “archived.” However, the transactions for all 600 contacts will still be recorded as there is no limit on the number of transactions you can record.
If you have comprehensive data you don’t want to lose, follow these instructions to import all transaction and supporter data in one CSV import process.
First, export data from your existing CRM or other database. Then organize it into a CSV file with the following required fields:
*Status supports the following values: blocked, charge_pending, failed, fraud, migrated, paid, paypal_pending, paypal_processing, pending, refunded
You can also import additional information using optional fields like Campaign, Provider ID, Salutation, Occupation, and more.
Need some help? Visit our comprehensive Zendesk article for more information on the optional supporter fields you can include on your CSV file!
Log in to your Donorbox account and click “CRM” (if you have access to Donorbox CRM as part of your plan).
From the side menu, select “Data Imports.” Then, click “Import New File.”
From here, you can change the title of this import file for future reference. Select “Transactions” from the “Import Type” dropdown.
Then, you’ll see the option to select to update existing supporter data in CRM and/or create a Group of supporters from this import.
Note: You can also import transaction and supporter information directly on the Transactions page! Simply click on the “Actions” menu and select “Import Transactions.”
Select “Choose File” and locate the CSV file you prepared in the first step. Note that you will only be able to upload CSV files.
You’ll see a preview showing you the data from your CSV file. Underneath, you’ll be able to map the fields in your file with the corresponding Donorbox fields.
Most fields will be automatically mapped in this step, but you will need to review the mapping section here to ensure your data is properly aligned with Donorbox fields.
When you are satisfied with your mapping, click “Next.”
If you mapped the “Campaign” field in the previous step then this step will appear. You’ll see the names of any campaigns you’re trying to import. Map those imported campaigns to any of the existing Donorbox campaigns to ensure all of your campaign data ends up in the same place. Click “Next” when you’re finished.
On the next page, you’ll see a preview of your mapped CSV data. If all looks right, click “Import.”
When your import is finished, you’ll see the import status and the number of valid and errored records.
Any error records will be consolidated into a CSV file with an extra column at the end detailing why that record failed. This makes it easy for you to fix any errors and reupload that same file to complete your import process!
You’ll find a record of this import process on the Data Imports page for future reference.
That’s it! You should now see these imported transactions and supporters on your Donorbox CRM account.
If you have supporters who do not have an existing transaction, you can import them into Donorbox CRM on their own. The steps are very similar to those outlined above, with just a few changes.
Watch this short tutorial or continue reading for the step-by-step instructions:
After exporting data from your existing CRM or other database, you’ll need to organize it in a CSV with the following required fields:
In addition to the required fields for importing just supporters, you can also add optional fields like occupation, supporter type, birth date, and more. These optional fields help you capture all of your hard-earned donor data to maintain strong relationships and receive more repeat donations.
Need some help? Our comprehensive Zendesk article will guide you through setting up your CSV file and the optional transaction fields you can include on your CSV file!
Log in to your Donorbox account and click “CRM” (if you have access to Donorbox CRM as part of your plan).
From the side menu, select “Data Imports.” Then, click “Import New File.”
From here, you can change the title of this import file for future reference. Select “Supporters” from the “Import Type” dropdown.
Then, you’ll see the option to select to update existing supporter data in CRM and/or create a Group of supporters from this import.
Note: You can also import supporter information directly on the Supporters page! Simply click on the “Actions” menu and select “Import Supporters.”
Select “Choose File” and locate the CSV file you prepared in the first step. Note that you will only be able to upload CSV files.
You’ll see a preview showing you the data from your CSV file. Underneath, you’ll be able to map the fields in your file with the corresponding Donorbox fields.
Most fields will automatically map in this step, but you will need to review the mapping section here to ensure your data is properly aligned with Donorbox fields.
When you are satisfied with your mapping, click “Next.”
On the next page, you’ll see a preview of your mapped CSV data. If all looks right, click “Import.”
When your import is finished, you’ll see the import status and the amount of valid and error records.
Any error records will be consolidated into a CSV file with an extra column detailing why that record failed. This makes it easy for you to fix any errors and reupload that same file to complete your import process!
You’ll find a record of this import process on the Data Imports page for future reference.
Maintain your communication records by easily importing them to your Donorbox CRM account with these instructions.
Note that you must first have the corresponding supporter records available or imported.
Watch this short tutorial or continue reading for the step-by-step instructions:
Add all of your past communication records to a CSV file for easy importing. You must include the following fields:
Note: In order for your data to be mapped correctly, the first name, last name, and email fields should match the existing supporter data in your CRM account. If you do not have existing supporters in your CRM, new supporter records will be created with this import.
2. Access the Donorbox CRM landing page
From your Donorbox account, click “CRM” (if you have Donorbox CRM as part of your plan).
From the side menu, select “Data Imports.” Then, click “Import New File.”
From here, you can name the import, select your CSV file, and select “Communications” as the type of data you’re uploading.
Once your file is uploaded, you’ll see a data preview section that highlights what kind of data has been mapped automatically.
Below the preview, you have the ability to manually map Donorbox field labels to the CSV fields in your file.
If you don’t have direction, channel, or purpose on your CSV file, you can also preselect an option and apply it to all records.
For log date, select your preferred date format. For org user email, you can preselect a Donorbox user email from the dropdown that will be recorded as the internal address associated with all communications from this import.
Once all fields are mapped, click “Import.” From there, you’ll be able to see any error records. A CSV file containing error records will be generated during the import process.
You’ll also be able to see how many existing supporters’ records were updated, as well as how many communications were imported.
That’s it! You have now imported your communication records.
At Donorbox, we’re all about helping you help others. That means offering powerful, easy-to-use tools that raise more money for your cause and streamline your fundraising tasks.
That’s why we created the Donor and Data Imports feature to help you quickly migrate your important supporter, transaction, and communication records data to one comprehensive platform: Donorbox CRM.
Because when you have all of your data in a secure, robust CRM, there is no limit to what your organization can achieve.
Learn more about Donorbox CRM and sign up today!
Lindsey spent years wearing many hats in the nonprofit world. Whether she was helping arts nonprofits with their messaging and content, planning a fundraising gala, writing an NEA grant proposal, or running a membership program with over 400 members, she learned how to navigate – and appreciate! – the fast-paced world of fundraising. Now, she loves sharing those hard-earned lessons with the Donorbox community.
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Lindsey Baker Bower