Identifying Duplicate Donor Records
Step 1: Run the "Possible Duplicates" Report
The Possible Duplicates report helps identify possible duplicate Donor records. Follow these steps:
Click Reports in the upper blue bar.
Enter the word Duplicate in the Search bar and select the Possible Duplicates report.
Set the Person Type field to Donors.
Review the generated results to identify Donor records that may be duplicates.
Resolving Misattributed Donations
Duplicate records often lead to donation misattributions. Here’s how to correct such issues:
Correct the Contribution - Select Contributions from the left menu panel of the Donor dashboard. Select the Contribution and click Edit. Then change the "Donor" field to reflect the correct Donor record.
Update Donor Records - Check if the duplicate donor records share the same email address. Update the email address on one or more duplicate records. Use a unique email address or leave that field blank to avoid future confusion.
Regularly updating and maintaining unique identifiers like emails can significantly reduce errors in Donor attribution.
Preventing Future Duplicate Donor Records
To mitigate the risk of duplicate donor records, take these proactive measures:
Regularly run and review the Possible Duplicates report.
Use unique emails for each donor record.
Implement training for staff to follow standard naming conventions when creating new records.
Periodically audit donor data for inconsistencies.
By keeping records clean and up-to-date, you can ensure smooth operations and a unified donor experience.