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Connecting Raiser's Edge NXT

Updated

Connect your Raiser's Edge NXT database to Avid so you can benchmark performance, build audiences, and power playbooks with live gift and constituent data.

Use this article when

  • You are ready to connect Raiser's Edge NXT as your primary CRM in Avid.
  • You are an NXT administrator, or you can work with one, to install the Avid app.
  • You want to understand which NXT permissions are required for a successful Avid connection.

Applies to and prerequisites

CRMs Raiser's Edge NXT (RE NXT)
Avid areas Settings → Connections / Avid AI Integration Checklist
Recommended roles Blackbaud administrator or NXT user with required view and query permissions
Estimated time 10–20 minutes to authenticate; up to 24 hours for first data sync

Required NXT permissions for the authenticating user

The Raiser's Edge NXT user who authenticates the Avid connection must have View access to these objects (including any custom fields):

  • Gifts (including Custom Fields)
  • Constituents (including Codes, Address, Email, Phone, Relationships, and Custom Fields)
  • Fundraising (including Campaigns, Funds, Appeals, Packages, and Custom Fields)

The following objects are also supported when the modules are enabled in NXT and the authenticating user has access:

  • Events
  • Memberships

We highly recommend that the authenticating user also has the NXT permission Analysis – Query – Export. Certain important fields are only available from Query, including:

  • Solicit codes
  • Salutation / addressee
  • Recurring gift details
  • Tribute details

If the user does not have these permissions, Avid may connect but key fields will be missing from your data.

Steps

  1. Open Avid settings
    In Avid, go to Settings. You can also open the Avid AI Integration Checklist from the home screen. 
    Expected result: You see your organization’s settings and integrations.

  2. Go to CRM connections
    Do one of the following:

    • In the checklist, click CRM, then click Connect your CRM, or
    • In Settings, open the connections area, click the Add button, then choose System.

    Expected result: You see a grid of CRM tiles you can connect.

  3. Select Raiser's Edge NXT
    Find the Raiser's Edge NXT tile and click it. 
    Expected result: Avid shows connection details and an Authenticate button for NXT.

  4. Install the Avid app from the Blackbaud Marketplace
    Blackbaud requires that apps authenticate through its marketplace. Open the Avid listing: Avid AI in the Blackbaud Marketplace.

    • If you are not a Blackbaud admin, send this link to your NXT administrator and ask them to complete the install.
    • If you are the administrator, continue with the steps below.

    Expected result: You see the Avid AI app page in the Blackbaud Marketplace.

  5. Authorize the app in Blackbaud
    On the Marketplace page:

    1. Click Get started.
    2. Sign in to Raiser's Edge NXT if prompted.
    3. Review the requested permissions.
    4. Click the button to authenticate and install the application.

    Expected result: Blackbaud confirms that the Avid AI application is installed and authorized for your tenant.

  6. Return to Avid and complete authentication
    Go back to the Avid browser tab and your NXT connection screen. Click Authenticate. 
    Use the NXT user with the required View and Analysis – Query – Export permissions when prompted. 
    Expected result: Avid confirms that Raiser's Edge NXT is now connected. The connection shows as Connected or similar status.
  7. Confirm that the initial data sync starts
    Stay on the connection page or open any Avid benchmark or Insights page tied to CRM data. 
    Expected result: Avid queues your first data import. Early benchmarks may appear with limited data while the sync runs.
  8. Allow time for data to backfill
    The first full sync can take up to 24 hours, depending on your data size. 
    Expected result: After the first sync completes, more benchmarks and CRM-powered views populate with NXT data.

What you’ll see after connecting

  • Your NXT connection shows as Connected in Avid settings.
  • Benchmarks and Insights begin to populate with gift, constituent, and fundraising data from NXT.
  • If Events or Memberships are enabled and included, related data becomes available in relevant Avid views after sync.
  • Avid will prompt you to review column mappings and confirm default settings when your data is ready.

Next steps and related tasks

  • Review and adjust CRM column mappings when Avid prompts you.
  • Configure audiences and playbooks that depend on NXT data once the first sync completes.
  • If you decide you cannot make a direct NXT connection, use secure file uploads or SFTP instead: When should I use file uploads?

Notes and limits

  • Avid can only import data the authenticating NXT user can see. If key fields are missing, review that user’s permissions first.
  • Some fields (including solicit codes, salutations, recurring gift details, and tribute details) are only available via NXT Query. Without Analysis – Query – Export, those fields will not appear in Avid.
  • If you change the NXT user or their permissions, you may need to re-authenticate the connection in Avid to refresh access.
  • Events and Memberships data will only appear if your organization licenses those NXT modules and the authenticating user can view them.

Get help

If you have trouble connecting NXT or see missing data after following these steps:

  • Confirm that the NXT user used for authentication has the View and Query permissions listed above.
  • Grab screenshots of the NXT user’s security roles and the Avid NXT connection status.
  • Include the time you attempted to connect and any error messages shown in Avid or Blackbaud.
  • Contact LockStep Support at support@avidai.com or submit the in-app support form.

For strategy questions about how to use NXT data in your benchmarks, audiences, or playbooks, your LockStep Specialist can also advise you.

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