Websites using Etapestry

Okay, let s dive into an overview of eTapestry, a popular fundraising CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solution designed specifically for nonprofits and small to mid-sized organizations.

eTapestry: Overview

eTapestry, owned by Blackbaud, is a cloud-based fundraising and constituent relationship management (CRM) software platform tailored for smaller nonprofits. It s designed to help these organizations manage their donor relationships, track fundraising efforts, and automate essential tasks, all within a centralized system. Its affordability was key to its popularity. It s a well-established product but is generally considered to be in a maintenance mode as Blackbaud focuses more on its Raiser s Edge NXT product.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Donor Management: Comprehensive tracking of donor information, including contact details, giving history, volunteer activity, and communication preferences.
• Fundraising: Tools for creating and managing fundraising campaigns, online donation forms, and peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives.
• Email Marketing: Integrated email marketing functionality for sending targeted communications, newsletters, and fundraising appeals.
• Reporting & Analytics: Reporting and analytics features that allow organizations to track progress toward goals and demonstrate impact.
• Event Management: Features to plan, promote, and manage events, including online registration and ticketing.
• Membership Management: Tools for managing membership programs, tracking membership renewals, and communicating with members.
• Payment Processing: Integration with payment gateways to securely process online donations and payments.
• Reporting: Customizable reports to analyze fundraising performance, donor engagement, and other key metrics.
• Integration: Integrates with other Blackbaud products and third-party applications.

Revenue:

eTapestry revenue numbers are not broken out separately by Blackbaud (a publicly traded company). It is rolled into their overall Small and Medium Sized Business (SMB) revenue figures. It s generally understood that revenue has been declining over time as Blackbaud has pushed users towards Raiser s Edge NXT.

Alternatives to eTapestry:

The CRM landscape for nonprofits is competitive. Here s a look at some popular alternatives, categorized by size and focus, along with notes about their strengths:

• For Smaller Nonprofits (Similar in scope/price to eTapestry):
  • Bloomerang: Often cited as a leading alternative. Known for its user-friendly interface and focus on donor engagement. Strong on donor retention.
  • Donorbox: A very user-friendly and affordable fundraising platform. Focuses primarily on donation processing, recurring gifts, and basic donor management.
  • Kindful (Now part of Bloomerang): Offers a robust suite of fundraising and CRM tools, with a focus on integrations.
  • Network for Good: Integrated fundraising and donor management platform, particularly well-suited for smaller organizations. Includes access to coaching and support.
  • Little Green Light: A simple, web-based CRM, often praised for its affordability and ease of use.
• For Mid-Sized to Larger Nonprofits (More robust, may be more expensive):
  • Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud: A powerful and highly customizable platform built on the Salesforce platform. Requires more technical expertise but offers extensive capabilities.
  • Blackbaud Raiser s Edge NXT: Blackbaud s flagship fundraising CRM. More advanced than eTapestry and designed for larger organizations with more complex needs. (Note: Can be significantly more expensive than eTapestry).
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Nonprofits: Offers a comprehensive suite of CRM and business applications integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem. Suitable for organizations already using Microsoft products.
• Open Source
  • CiviCRM - Open source option that requires customization and expertise, but is free of subscription costs.

When Choosing an Alternative, Consider:

• Your Budget: Pricing varies significantly between platforms.
• Your Organization s Size and Complexity: Choose a system that can scale with your needs.
• Your Technical Expertise: Some platforms are easier to use and require less technical knowledge.
• Your Specific Needs: Identify the features that are most important to your organization.

Pricing:

eTapestry s pricing was a selling point for smaller nonprofits, especially in the past. However, pricing is customized, and you need to contact Blackbaud directly for a quote. Pricing is generally based on the size of your database (number of constituents/records). It involves setup fees and monthly subscription costs. Historically, it was known to be one of the more affordable full CRM options, but that is less true over time. Expect costs to start in the low hundreds of dollars per month at a minimum. Be aware that Blackbaud often encourages users to migrate to Raiser s Edge NXT, which may involve a significant price increase.

Customer Care Details:

• Support Channels: Blackbaud provides customer support through various channels, including:

  • Online Knowledge Base: A comprehensive library of articles, tutorials, and FAQs.
  • Community Forums: Online forums where users can ask questions, share best practices, and connect with other eTapestry users.
  • Phone Support: Phone support is available during business hours. The level of phone support is reported by users to be somewhat limited and often directs users to online resources.
  • Email Support: Email support is also offered.
  • Training & Consulting: Blackbaud offers training courses and consulting services to help users get the most out of eTapestry. These often come at an additional cost.

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Blackbaud has SLAs that guarantee uptime and response times for support requests. These are typically detailed in the contract.

• Customer Reviews & Reputation: It s important to research customer reviews of Blackbaud s customer support. You can find reviews on sites like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. Historically, customer service for eTapestry has been a point of concern for some users, with some reporting long wait times and difficulty getting personalized assistance. This is a common complaint with older, established software platforms. Keep in mind that reviews can be subjective.

Key Considerations Regarding eTapestry in 2024:

• Investment in the Platform: Blackbaud s primary focus is on Raiser s Edge NXT and other products. eTapestry receives fewer updates and feature enhancements.
• Migration: Consider whether you might need to migrate to a different CRM in the future. Factor in the cost and effort of data migration.
• Support Levels: Confirm the level of support you ll receive, especially if you re not a technically advanced user.

In Summary:

eTapestry remains a viable option for some smaller nonprofits seeking an established fundraising CRM. However, it s essential to carefully evaluate your organization s needs, budget, and technical capabilities, and compare eTapestry with alternative solutions like Bloomerang, Donorbox, and others to make an informed decision. Consider the long-term investment in the platform as well. Make sure to get a detailed quote from Blackbaud and ask about migration paths to Raiser s Edge NXT before committing.