How to authorize credit card gifts when the EFT module is present

NOTE: If credit cards have never been processed in your Raiser's Edge, please refer to How to set up The Raisers Edge for charging credit cards and processing direct debits. This is a one-time process to complete so your Raiser's Edge is ready to process credit cards. When this set-up is complete, use the following steps each time credit cards need to be charged:

1. In Batch, click New Gift Batch.
2. On the Fields tab, ensure the Gift Information > EFT? field is included as a data entry field, along with specific credit card fields such as Credit Card Number.
3. Click Data Entry.
4. On the data entry screen, select Tools, Automatically Generate Transactions/Payments from the menu bar. Select the appropriate options, such as gift type and payment type, and click Generate Now. The Raiser's Edge automatically loads outstanding EFT gifts into the data sheet, which now includes all of the fields necessary for EFT transmission. Note: If you are manually adding gifts to the batch, skip this step and proceed to step 5.
5. Verify the box in the EFT? field is marked.
6. Select Tools, Create EFT Transmission Files from the menu bar.
7. Check the box beside Create Credit Card Transmission files. Select the correct merchant account that you would like these gifts to be processed through.
8. Select Create Now.
9. The Raiser's Edge automatically sends an EFT transmission file for authorization and processing by the gateway. The gateway returns authorization and rejection codes, which automatically populate the batch's Authorization and Rejection Code columns.
10. Commit the batch, marking Create a batch of exceptions.  Any gifts that returned rejection codes will not be committed. 
11. If applicable, open the exception batch and correct the gifts and re-authorize the previously declined transactions.
12. Commit the exception batch.

How to process credit card donations when the EFT module is not present

NOTE: If credit cards have never been processed in your Raiser's Edge, please refer to How to set up The Raisers Edge for charging credit cards and processing direct debits. This is a one-time process to complete so your Raiser's Edge is ready to process credit cards. When this set-up is complete, use the following steps each time credit cards need to be charged:

1. In Batch, click New Gift Batch.
2. On the Fields tab, select the fields below in addition to any other appropriate gift fields:

   Gift Fields, Credit card number
   Gift Fields, Credit Type
   Gift Fields, Expires on
   Gift Fields, Pay Method
   Gift Fields, Cardholder Name
   Gift Fields, Authorization code
   Gift Fields, Rejection code

3. Enter gifts in the data sheet, leaving the Authorization code field blank. If using a recurring batch, update the batch as needed and remove any information from the Authorization code field.
   Note: If the credit card information is grayed out, select Credit Card for the Pay Method.
4. After entering all gifts, select Tools, Authorize Credit Card Transactions from the menu bar. (Your option may also say Create EFT Transmission File). The Raiser's Edge automatically sends a transmission file to the gateway for authorization and processing. The gateway returns authorization codes, which automatically populate the Authorization code column.
5. If the gateway returns rejection codes, correct the gifts and re-authorize the previously declined transactions.
6. When ready to commit the batch, select File, Commit the Completed Batch. Check the information on each tab to confirm that all of the appropriate options are selected. If using a recurring batch, select the Recurring Batch tab and enter the Gift Date and the Post Date.  The Raiser's Edge should generate a new batch number.
7. Commit the batch.

How to process direct debits

NOTE: If direct debits have never been processed in your Raiser's Edge, please refer to How to set up The Raisers Edge for charging credit cards and processing direct debits. This is a one-time process to complete so your Raiser's Edge is ready to process direct debits.

• To process direct debits using Blackbaud Merchant Services, please refer to How to process ACH Payments (direct debits) through Blackbaud Merchant Services in The Raiser’s Edge.
• If you do not have the RE:EFT module, direct debits can be processed using in the The Raiser's Edge 7.93.5782.10 and higher. Please refer to How to process ACH Payments (direct debits) through Blackbaud Merchant Services in The Raiser’s Edge.
• The RE:EFT module is required to authorize direct debit transactions with IATS.
• If UK client processing direct debits via BACS, see How to process Direct Debits in the UK rather than the steps below.

1. Within The Raiser's Edge, add the donor's financial institution in Configuration.
2. Add the bank to the constituent record:
   • Canadian Version
   • US Version
3. Add the gift:
   1. Add a recurring gift or pledge.
   2. Select Direct Debit as the Pay Method.
   3. Mark the EFT? checkbox and select the appropriate bank information.
4. Save and close the gift, or commit the gift to constituent records.

1. If needed, create a new gift batch by automatically generating transactions. If the direct debit gift is already entered in the batch, proceed with step 2.
2. On the batch data entry screen, select Tools, Create EFT Transmission Files.
3. Under Direct Debit Transmission File, mark the Create direct debit file checkbox.
4. Select either Financial Institution or Merchant Account. (Note: In earlier Raiser's Edge versions, IATS may appear in place of Merchant Account.)
   • If Merchant Account is selected, select the appropriate merchant account from the Account drop-down menu.
   • If Financial Institution is selected:
     • Select the correct Sponsoring Bank from the drop-down. This should match the Sponsoring bank in Config.
     • Select the appropriate Bank file format
     • Click on the ellipses to select/create the direct debit file that you will send to your sponsoring bank for processing.
     • NOTE: Creating the Transmission File using the Financial Institution option does not actually process the direct debits. The exported file must be sent to your sponsoring bank/financial institution to receive the funds. Please contact your sponsoring bank/financial institution regarding how to provide this file to them and their specific direct debit processes.
5. Under Control Report, mark the Create control report checkbox and mark Print or Preview.
6. Click Create Now.

Additional Resources

• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Guide
• Credit and Debit Card Processing with IATS Ticketmaster
• Recurring Gifts in The Raiser's Edge (blog)
• Processing Recurring Gifts from NetCommunity to The Raiser's Edge (blog)
• How do I process recurring gifts, pledges, and direct debits from Online Express in The Raiser's Edge?