Avid counts gifts based on unique Gift IDs. This means the number of gifts in Avid may differ from the number of rows in your source data. This article explains why and describes how Avid handles each scenario.
Split-designation gifts
When a single gift has multiple designations (such as different funds or cause areas), most CRMs assign the same Gift ID to all designation rows. Avid preserves the individual splits but counts them as one gift. This prevents inflated giving frequency and average gift calculations.
Reversals and refunds
Some CRMs record partial or full refunds using the original Gift ID. Avid combines these transactions into a single record with the net total amount. If the net total equals $0, Avid excludes the record entirely to avoid skewing metrics.
Duplicate credits
Some systems produce multiple soft credits for the same donor and Gift ID. Avid combines them into a single record that reflects the sum total. When both hard and soft credit details are present, Avid does not allow the soft credit total to exceed the hard credit amount. If total soft credits are less than total hard credits, Avid creates a record applying the remainder to the hard credit recipient.
Combined records
If multiple transaction records share the same Gift ID and match on every other field, Avid combines them into a single record with the summed amount. Because gifts are counted by unique identifiers, this consolidation is transparent when you use the platform.
Soft credits
Avid typically follows the soft credit when possible. This approach gives a fuller picture of donor contributions, especially when Donor-Advised Funds or similar mechanisms are involved. Using soft credits avoids assigning a hard credit to the DAF itself.
If your organization requires hard credits instead, contact your Account Manager to configure this preference.
For a detailed explanation of how Avid handles hard and soft credits, see Soft Credits.