4 Tips for Keeping your Data in Tip-Top Shape

Staying on top of your data doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming. Ride these five tips to the tippy top of data management.

1. Keep Names Consistent
   A consistent naming system is your friend. Whether saving reports or using folders to keep lists and exports organized, make sure your entire team is using the same naming conventions in your database.
2. Clean Up Contacts
   Run lists to determine which organization records don't have a contact to mail directly. You can then create a plan for adding additional data to records that may need tightening up.
3. Banish Bad Addresses
   Update or eliminate bad addresses from your database by running lists with the criteria “Address Lines Equals Blank” or “Zip Equals Blank” or “State Equals Blank,” just to name a few.
4. Reconcile on the Fly
   Create a dashboard organized around your fundraising structure by way of things like campaigns, funds, and appeals to reconcile donations within this structure (i.e. making sure all gifts have the necessary coding) each time gifts are entered. This will make your regularly scheduled reconciliation with your friends in accounting a breeze.