The Ultimate Guide to Migrating Away from Blackbaud Church Management
With the announced shutdown of Blackbaud Church Management software in January 2024, many churches are left searching for an alternative solution to manage their data. In this guide, we'll discuss the importance of choosing the right church management system and provide a step-by-step guide to migrating your data from Blackbaud Church Management to a new platform, such as Planning Center.
Why Migrate Your Data?
As Blackbaud Church Management users, you've relied on the platform to manage crucial data such as member information, donations, and event scheduling. Once the software is shut down, your data will no longer be accessible, and you won't receive support from Blackbaud. By migrating your data to a new church management system sooner than later, you'll ensure the continuity of your church's operations and maintain access to your valuable information before it’s too late. You may want to seek the help of a migration consulting company to assist with this transition.
Choosing the Right Church Management System
When selecting a new church management system, consider the following factors:
Features: Look for a platform that offers essential features such as member management, event scheduling, donation and attendance tracking, and communication tools. Evaluate how well the system meets the unique needs of your church.
Ease of use: User-friendly platforms are crucial to ensure your staff and volunteers can adapt quickly and efficiently.
Integration: Consider whether the new system integrates with your current tools and software to avoid any disruptions in your church's workflows.
Scalability: Choose a system that can grow with your church, offering flexibility to add new features or accommodate more members as needed.
Support: Opt for a platform with excellent customer support and a robust user community to help you navigate any challenges during and after migration.
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating from Blackbaud Church Management
Step 1: Prepare for migration
Before initiating the migration process, inform your staff and volunteers about the upcoming changes. Create a timeline for the migration and establish a clear communication plan to keep everyone informed throughout the process.
Step 2: Export your data
Export all your data from Blackbaud Church Management, including member information, donations, and event details. Ensure that you save the exported files in a format compatible with your new church management system.
Step 3: Clean and organize your data
Take this opportunity to review and clean your data. Remove any duplicates, correct inconsistencies, and update outdated information.
Step 4: Import your data into the new system
Follow the guidelines provided by the new church management system to import your data. Ensure that you map the data fields correctly to maintain the integrity of your information.
Step 5: Verify your data
Once the migration is complete, verify that all your data has been successfully imported into the new system. Cross-check the data with your original exported files to confirm accuracy.
Step 6: Train your staff and volunteers
Provide comprehensive training to your staff and volunteers on using the new church management system. Offer ongoing support and resources to ensure a smooth transition.
Step 7: Optimize your new system
Customize the new platform to suit your church's specific needs. Configure settings, create templates and set up automations to maximize the system's efficiency.
Conclusion
Migrating from Blackbaud Church Management to a new ChMS (Church Management System) platform doesn't have to be daunting. By following this guide and partnering with a trusted data migration partner like Threefold Solutions, you will ensure a smooth and successful transition. Take the first step towards safeguarding your church's valuable data by exploring new church management system options today. If you would like to discuss how Threefold Solutions can help you make this major transition contact us by clicking on the blue “Let’s Get Started” button at the top of this page. You can also email us directly at info@threefold.solutions or call us at (682) 514-9154.
Jason Silbernagel
Co-founder, Threefold Solutions