Here is an excellent presentation on how to best use Raiser's Edge at your not for profit. Please read carefully.

1. RESULT: Raiser’s Edge With No Good Data

2. WARNING!
Raiser's Edge looks good, but with no good data it is actually COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS!
If someone is trying to make you adhere to these points, they are playing a trick on you.
You will end up doing SILLY THINGS that won't benefit your organization and making everybody WORK AND WORK with no good results!
Don't say I didn't warn you...

3. Imagine your Raiser's Edge with no good data.
It might seem like no fun to have someone use your Raiser's
Edge with no good data.
It probably seems boring and confusing.
Except...

4. For every bit of data you get, add a few things to Raiser's
Edge and keep the rest in your head, email inbox, or on
paper.
No matter what.
That's the deal. That's the rule.
So that means...

5. Even if you have a really good Prospect or Donor, just record
their contact details and limited gift information in
your Raiser's Edge with no good data.
You don't need a quick and easy centralized location to
understand how a constituent relates to your organization
on a summary level.
There is no need to understand the larger umbrella areas
where donors have directed their money to be spent.

6. Don't worry about using a consistent definition for each of
your specific pots of money where donors have directed
their money to be spent.
For those activities you complete that could cause money to
come in, there is no need to have a consistent naming
convention for it or mark that you completed it for a specific
constituent.
There is certainly no need to add additional detail for those
activities you complete to bring money in such as different
physical packages sent or how they responded. You will
remember.

7. Is this Raiser's Edge with no good data thing a trick?
Can I please stop using this Raiser's Edge with no good data?
No?!!

8. And now it's time for you to receive some Raiser's Edge
training!
Training?
Do I really have to sit through training?

9. No need to record all touch points you make with a
constituent as I am sure you would never over communicate
or have two staff contact constituent for same reason.
You should not concern yourself with having communication
instructions that conflict such as indicating you should solicit
donations and another that says you shouldn't solicit
donations on the same record.
Since those related to an individual or organization that
have given to your organization will never give
or connect with your organization, you should really limit
data for them by not giving them their own constituent
record.

10. When a constituent attends one of your events, there is no
need to record what they actually spent money on or what
else connected them to your organization during the event.
You certainly could not benefit from understanding quickly
in full detail the history of a donors status in terms
of when and for how long they were lapsed, reactivated,
gave monthly, gave over multiple years, etc.

11. This Raiser's Edge with no good data is RIDICULOUS!
Can I stop using yet?
No?!?

12. There is more?!
I have to continue?!?!
I have a username and password for Raiser's Edge with no
good data written down somewhere, so if I ever need it I can
get in or I can contact you to add something for me.
Oh really?

13. So even though our Raiser's Edge has no good data, I have to
keep using this silly thing?
and...
make silly reporting that doesn't seem right...
oh no oh no here it comes...
No garbage in means no garbage out!

14. Oh my goodness.
Please don't ever make me use Raiser's Edge with no good
data again!
It is so ... silly!
In fact, it is completely and utterly preposterous!

15. Next time,
please please please please
Please
CHOOSE TO USE YOUR RAISER'S EDGE WITH ONLY GOOD
DATA PROPERLY!
Please?
Because it is just too RIDICULOUS not to.

16. The End.
Oh no, I just accidentally deleted a record in our Raiser's
Edge!
I didn't want to do that.

17. Happy April Fools Day!
OINK! 