Here's a Fundraising Well post from the folks at Blackbaud with tips and tricks to get your online and eMarketing back in line. Even though it was originally posted in October, I think it bears repeating and remains timely.

I particularly liked their suggestions of what needs to be in place before you even get started. My favorites are #2 and #3 under their Integration tips. Which ones are your favorites?

 Need help identfying those segments? Give us a shout!

No secrets on Facebook, Batman!

Happy Friday, y'all:)

Did you know you can make the  Raiser's Edge or Financial Edge reflect your own personal flair for color? Both systems include a variety of user specific Legends (Tools, User Options, Color, Legends) that let you display different items in different colors. For example, you can make Debits and Credits display in different colors in Financial Edge. Or in Accounts Payable, you can set alternating rows to display in different colors in the Check Register In the Raiser's Edge, you can make Cash gifts display in green, while Pledges display in red. This option is not only fun, but it’s useful for helping you quickly identify items on a record. And don’t worry, these settings are for your eyes only; you're not affecting any system settings. It's all about your viewing pleasure

 Leading Edge Software Solutions is pleased to announce that we have added the expertise of Financial Edge genius Delores Thompson to our team as Principle Consultant, Financial Edge! Delores has over 20 years of accounting experience and a depth of experience across non-profit lines. She is a perfect fit for the Leading Edge. She shares our passion for helping our awesome non-profit clients achieve their missions and helping them harness the power of the Financial Edge, while maximizing their return on investment. Of course, she's also Knowledgeable. Affordable. and Fun! 

 In addition to working with clients, Delores will also contribute to the Leading Edge blog, begriming with the ABC's of the Financial Edge. Watch for her posts coming soon!

 Delores hails from Pueblo, CO, and has already begun helping Leading Edge clients, both remotely and onsite.

 Please join me in welcoming Delores to the Leading Edge fold by sending her a message at delores@LESSllc.com .

 This is, indeed, a proud day for the Leading Edge.

 Welcome aboard, Delores!! We are thrilled you are here

Kind regards,

Have a sweetheart of a day, y'all!

Happy Friday, y'all:)

Congratulations to all my little lambs at Love A Child, Inc.! They have been cited for their "sound fiscal management and committment to accountability and transparency" and have been awarded 4 stars by Guidestar.  They have achieved this highest rating for 8 years in a row; an acheivement accomlished by fewer than 1% of charities rated by Guidestar.

Congratulations to the leadership at Love A Child! I'm proud to call you my client!

How many times for you looked right past that little "More" button to the right of the Country field on the Bio1/Org1 tab? You've probably never even given it a second glance, and most times, you wouldn't need to, but have you ever wondered what's behind that button?

From a software geeky standpoint, that address we're viewing (the Preferred Address) doesn't really "live" there; it lives with all the other addresses on the Address tab. Because it is marked as Preferred, we are able to conveniently view and access it from the Bio1/Org1. Clicking actually opens the full address record and allows us to few a lot more details about the address.

I like to call it the "More Information about this Address" button.

For the everyday Raiser's Edge user, most of these details are mundane. The truth is, most matter little, and a few matter most. The trick is knowing the difference. So, which ones really matter to the average user?

• Send mail to this address
• Valid Dates
• Seasonal Address

When the Raiser's Edge performs address processing, these fields are critical parts of the equation.Depending on your choices  on the Address Processing settings (in Mail, Export, Query and Reports), the system will first check for a valid seasonal address, then it will look for a valid address as of the process date. It's important….critical……..vital….. to note that it only considers addresses that are marked Send mail to this address. The checking and unchecking of this box should only be done by experienced users who understand the consequences! This box should NOT be used in place of Solicit Codes or other values in the system like Has no valid address. It should only be used to indicate that this is one of the potentially valid addresses for this Constituent. Again, the system will only  begin even looking at addresses with that box marked. 

So, now you know "More".

Here's a great round-up from Heather Mansfield over at @NonprofitOrg and DIOSA Communications. Most of these resources are free, and y'all know how I feel about free stuff for my awesome clients! Take a look; I think you'll find some gems in there! Thanks, Heather, for putting this all in one place! Which ones of the 50 resources did you find most useful?

Embrace the spirit of the season, y'all!     

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