<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[BrightVine Solutions]]></title><description><![CDATA[BrightVine provides nonprofit technology consulting services for Blackbaud and Salesforce CRM tools]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:59:03 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Do Nonprofits Still Need a CRM in the Age of AI?]]></title><description><![CDATA[“If AI is getting this good… do we even need a CRM anymore?”  It’s a fair question, everyone seems to be asking it, and honestly, it’s not a crazy one.  I’ll admit, it’s something I’ve been thinking about quite a bit, too. Given that most new CRM solutions are in place for 10 years or more, it also becomes a mission-critical question.  I’ve spent over 30 years defining nonprofit system requirements, designing systems and processes, and thinking through how technology supports real-world...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/do-nonprofits-still-need-a-crm-in-the-age-of-ai</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d5254bfc74251ed3c33e15</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:04:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2fdcf0_3c9a4fe681e543d1950de826f168b380~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Using Notifications in Blackbaud CRM™ (Without Driving Users Nuts)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Blackbaud CRM™ includes a built-in notification feature that’s very powerful—and surprisingly underused. When configured thoughtfully, notifications can guide users at the right moment, reduce mistakes, and reinforce important business rules without extra training or documentation.]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/using-notifications-in-blackbaud-crm-without-driving-users-nuts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697143c46582220b65f365c8</guid><category><![CDATA[Blackbaud CRM]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:00:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cc8188abff1246718c5a1a716722fb43.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Freshman to Forever Fan: Making Education Data Work in Blackbaud CRM™]]></title><description><![CDATA[Education data is more than a historical record—it’s how institutions understand, segment, and engage constituents from their first class to lifelong alumni involvement. Learn how to track it in Blackbaud CRM.]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/from-freshman-to-forever-fan-making-education-data-work-in-blackbaud-crm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69713b2861068570a94c8b10</guid><category><![CDATA[Blackbaud CRM]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:00:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b5523e19642d4d5ba21db1b3494f0666.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[BrightVine Datalink: Integrate with Smart Queries]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Blackbaud CRM Smart Queries integrate with BrightVine Data Link]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/brightvine-datalink-integrate-with-smart-queries</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695d40e0955bbdda690c0580</guid><category><![CDATA[Blackbaud CRM]]></category><category><![CDATA[Import/Integration]]></category><category><![CDATA[Data Link for Blackbaud CRM]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:00:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_b0df5d06c30e47a0a1afd4a79aa8c1ac~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Navigating State Privacy Law Changes for Nonprofits and Ensuring Data Compliance]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a nonprofit IT professional, you can face growing challenges when managing sensitive data amid evolving privacy laws. These laws affect how your organization collects, stores, and shares personal information. Staying compliant is not just about avoiding fines; it’s about protecting the trust your donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries place in you. ]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/navigating-state-privacy-law-changes-for-nonprofits-and-ensuring-data-compliance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64383dff9af92d1d384ae36b</guid><category><![CDATA[General]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:00:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_8d66aa5276ce409f9faa7f49c32422ab~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Software Implementation: Cutover Planning for Blackbaud CRM]]></title><description><![CDATA[by Leah Mitchell, PMP, Director, and Stacey Segal, COO During a software implementation, cutover is the moment when months (or years) of planning, testing, and decision-making all converge—and when the risk to daily operations is at its highest. For nonprofit/advancement teams, even a short period of downtime can disrupt fundraising, reporting, and donor relationships. Understanding what happens during cutover, how data conversions work, and what to expect before, during, and after go-live...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/software-implementation-cutover-planning-for-blackbaud-crm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695d4ce7312d926aa9a8b95a</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:00:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/be2c632522231bd3c200e58f5dc4b4a4.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_683,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nonprofits in 2026: Clear Headwinds, Real Momentum, and Why I’m Confident in What Comes Next]]></title><description><![CDATA[by Casey Hines, Executive Director On January 5, I stepped into a new role as Executive Director at BrightVine Solutions .  In this role, I intend to advocate for the nonprofit sector with clear-eyed realism and a bias toward action. The nonprofit industry is operating in a moment of tension: demand is rising, costs remain sticky, and the political environment is volatile, yet we are also seeing strong signals of resilience, more innovative fundraising, and a more mature approach to digital...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/nonprofits-in-2026-clear-headwinds-real-momentum-and-why-i-m-confident-in-what-comes-next</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695d43fc98add1bc15810dba</guid><pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:00:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_a5690ec09f934de18e9c83da42cd24eb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Title: Essential KPIs for Fundraiser Success in Blackbaud CRM™]]></title><description><![CDATA[by Leah Mitchell and Liz Feskoe Measuring the effectiveness of fundraising efforts and understanding donor engagement is key to achieving...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/title-essential-kpis-for-fundraiser-success-in-blackbaud-crm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">688a401f890909032c0e5ca3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:58:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_4314aadf814443769725cad46da8fa94~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Maximizing Impact: Gathering Business Requirements for Nonprofit Software Implementation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Gathering requirements is a critical step in any technology project. It's the process of understanding what stakeholders need and want from ]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/maximizing-impact-gathering-business-requirements-for-nonprofit-software-implementation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67dc3521131c710c7086fce7</guid><category><![CDATA[General]]></category><category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:52:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_9238eeec2e734afbae4a1b5985250c89~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Data Management with Smart Queries &#38; BrightVine Data Link in Blackbaud CRM]]></title><description><![CDATA[Efficiency is critical in data management. Tools like the BrightVine Data Link make Blackbaud CRM even more powerful]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/data-management-smart-queries-blackbaudcrm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67dc22ad39416c6488953623</guid><category><![CDATA[Data Link for Blackbaud CRM]]></category><category><![CDATA[Query]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:00:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_9b52a0adb0ac4756a04a9e7aeaa7ce3d~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Implement Data Governance: Practical Steps for Getting Started]]></title><description><![CDATA[Is your organization grappling with where to begin in implementing data governance practices?]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/how-to-implement-data-governance-practical-steps-for-getting-started</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67dc1f1e39416c64889528aa</guid><category><![CDATA[Best Practices]]></category><category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:10:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_e214567562684e328ef9e6fd3772094f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Utilizing KPIs in Blackbaud CRM™ ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential metrics that help track the effectiveness of your organization’s activities.]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/kpis-in-blackbaud-crm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66bcc8c5606c5458e074f0be</guid><pubDate>Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:00:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_0b84a513c503458d9ba932e86195b960~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Few of Our Favorite Things in BrightVine Data Link and Blackbaud CRM]]></title><description><![CDATA[For those not familiar with the BrightVine Data Link (BVDL), it's a powerful data integration engine specifically designed for nonprofits.]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/brightvine-data-link-and-blackbaud-crm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66bcc533102612b0f57eb86e</guid><category><![CDATA[Blackbaud CRM]]></category><category><![CDATA[Data Link for Blackbaud CRM]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:08:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8da777d9c4234801a14e6c2647dbac38.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Linking Blackbaud CRM Data with BrightVine Query Views]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week, a customer needed to create an exclusion file. We had a file with IDs from System A but needed the main Blackbaud CRM™ lookup ID ]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/linking-blackbaud-crm-data-with-brightvine</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66bcbe912fa465dec4c8b3e3</guid><category><![CDATA[Blackbaud CRM]]></category><category><![CDATA[Data Link for Blackbaud CRM]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 13 Nov 2024 15:00:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_375f4f9ec7954c9884524a8488191998~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tips for Building Export Definitions in Blackbaud CRM]]></title><description><![CDATA[Exporting data from Blackbaud CRM™ is a critical task for many nonprofits, enabling them to analyze information, generate reports, and maint]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/export-definitions-in-blackbaud-crm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66bcba4762b2cee35bffc3b4</guid><category><![CDATA[Blackbaud CRM]]></category><category><![CDATA[Query]]></category><category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:00:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eae7e9e1a1d40fbd27b54037554f590.jpg/v1/fit/w_803,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Excel Pivot Table vs. Raiser’s Edge NXT Reporting ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Unlocking the potential of business intelligence tools can revolutionize decision-making processes within organizations. Among these...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/excel-pivot-table-vs-raiser-s-edge-nxt-reporting</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65fdc96a48dc6194d7cb38b6</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:00:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_d482f7fb62b04ae5a56d4235b94dac77~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Effectively Organize and Utilize Action Records in Raiser’s Edge NXT]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let's discuss action records within Raiser’s Edge NXT (RENXT).  A fundraiser needs to manage and track interactions on the constituent...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/how-to-effectively-organize-and-utilize-action-records-in-raiser-s-edge-nxt</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65fdcbf07638ebd61b2df6b7</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Oct 2024 14:00:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_84dd2c1d2b294969b9f6b324a7dc496b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Enhancing Business Intelligence: Key Strategies for Success]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today's dynamic nonprofit landscape, the effective utilization of business intelligence (BI) has become instrumental in driving...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/enhancing-business-intelligence-key-strategies-for-success</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65fdc33ee63d723663419a49</guid><pubDate>Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:00:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/62f0fae5d3664613b1ad0874c395a7ca.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Creating Thank You Videos to Donors in Raiser’s Edge NXT ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Video is a powerful way to communicate a message; thank-you messages are no exception. Video engages the viewer and creates a more...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/creating-thank-you-videos-to-donors-in-raiser-s-edge-nxt</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65f1d3157af41e1841751f0d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:00:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_f874bb66407d445489108554bbe84a1f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Key Elements to Consider When Developing Project Design Documents]]></title><description><![CDATA[Initiating a project presents a primary challenge: ensuring all stakeholders understand the objectives clearly. This is effectively...]]></description><link>https://www.brightvinesolutions.com/post/key-elements-to-consider-when-developing-project-design-documents</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65f1d8aa2baca1d4a925b6d1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:00:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/098ef0ceb8ee4c89a53e3d244c140a71.jpg/v1/fit/w_817,h_567,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>BrightVine Solutions</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>