Event Management Options: Finding Your Raiser's Edge Events Replacement
- Ohana Focus Team
- Jan 20
- 8 min read
By Ohana Focus | January 8, 2025 | 15 min read
If you've used Raiser's Edge Events, you know it's been a workhorse for nonprofit event management. From annual galas to small donor cultivation events, it handled registration, ticketing, seating charts, and attendance tracking all within your fundraising database. Now that you're migrating to Salesforce, one of the first questions is: 'What replaces Raiser's Edge Events?'
The answer isn't as straightforward as pointing to a single Salesforce feature. Unlike Raiser's Edge, where events are deeply integrated into the core system, Salesforce event management typically involves choosing from several approaches—each with distinct advantages depending on your organization's event complexity, volume, and requirements.
This guide will walk through the complete landscape of event management options for Salesforce, from native NPC campaigns to integrated third-party platforms. You'll understand what each solution offers, when it makes sense, and how to make the right choice for your organization.
Understanding What You're Replacing
Before exploring solutions, let's be clear about what Raiser's Edge Events actually provided and what functionality needs to be replicated in your new Salesforce environment.
Core Raiser's Edge Events Capabilities
Raiser's Edge Events managed the complete event lifecycle within your database:
• Event setup and configuration: Creating events with dates, locations, pricing tiers, and capacity limits
• Registration tracking: Recording who registered, when, and for which ticket types
• Payment processing: Handling event payments and linking them to gift records
• Attendance management: Tracking who actually attended vs. who registered
• Guest management: Recording plus-ones and guests accompanying primary registrants
• Table and seating: Managing table assignments for seated events like galas
• Reporting: Generating lists, name tags, seating charts, and revenue reports
Replacing Raiser's Edge Events with Salesforce NPS
Event management in the Salesforce ecosystem falls into four main categories, each with different strengths.
Salesforce Native Events (Campaigns)
Salesforce NPC includes Campaign functionality that can track event attendance and participation. Campaigns weren't designed specifically for events, but they can serve this purpose for organizations with simple needs.
How It Works
Create a Campaign for each event, add Campaign Members (attendees), and track their status (Registered, Attended, No-Show). Link donations to the Campaign to track event revenue. Use Campaign hierarchies to organize events by type or year.
Advantages:
• No additional cost—included with NPC
• Data stays entirely within Salesforce
• Simple setup and maintenance
• Strong reporting through Salesforce reports
• Connects directly to fundraising workflows
Limitations:
• No registration forms or public-facing pages
• No payment processing capabilities
• No ticketing or capacity management
• Manual data entry for registrations
• Limited guest management
Best For: Internal tracking of small, invitation-only events where registration happens offline. Board meetings, cultivation dinners, volunteer appreciation events, and small receptions where you're primarily tracking who attended rather than managing public registration.
Integrated Event Platforms
The most common approach is using dedicated event management platforms that integrate with Salesforce. These tools handle registration and payment externally, then sync attendee data back to your CRM.
Popular Options
Eventbrite: The most widely adopted solution. Native Salesforce integration that automatically creates or updates Contact records when people register. Familiar to consumers, handles payment processing, and provides mobile check-in apps. Pricing ranges from free for basic events to percentage-based fees for paid events.
Givebutter: A nonprofit-specific platform combining fundraising, events, and peer-to-peer campaigns. Strong integration with Salesforce NPC, no platform fees (donors can cover costs), plus built-in livestreaming for virtual events. Particularly good for walks, runs, and peer-to-peer fundraising events.
Classy: Enterprise-grade fundraising platform with robust event management. Sophisticated ticketing, sponsor management, and fundraising pages. Higher cost but comprehensive features for major fundraising events.
Splash: Focuses on event marketing and branding. Beautiful registration pages, event websites, and attendee communication. Better for high-profile events where brand presentation matters.
Ticket Tailor: UK-based but globally available, offers low-cost ticketing without per-ticket fees. Box office features for selling tickets at the door. Integration with Salesforce requires some technical setup.
Best For: Organizations running regular events that need online registration and ticketing. Annual galas, workshops, conferences, community events, and fundraising campaigns. Works well when you need a turnkey solution that handles the public-facing experience while keeping Salesforce as your database of record.
AppExchange Event Solutions
Several Salesforce AppExchange apps provide comprehensive event management functionality without leaving the Salesforce environment. These build on top of NPC to add registration forms, payment processing, and attendee management.
Notable Options
EventApi by Provenworks: Comprehensive event management built for nonprofits. Handles registration, payment processing through various gateways, table management, and check-in. Stays entirely within the Salesforce ecosystem. Requires implementation and has ongoing licensing costs.
Blackthorn Events: Modern event management with beautiful registration forms that can be embedded on your website. Strong features for conferences and multi-session events. Native to Salesforce with good reporting.
Event Management by Silverline: Enterprise solution for complex event needs. Supports tracks, sessions, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors. Designed for conferences and large-scale events.
Best For: Organizations that want event management fully integrated into their Salesforce instance. Those running complex events with specific requirements. Organizations with Salesforce administrators who can manage the apps. Works well when you need to maintain complete control over your event data and processes.
Custom Salesforce Development
For organizations with unique requirements or very specific workflows, custom development creates event management functionality built exactly to specifications within Salesforce.
What This Entails
Working with Salesforce developers to create custom objects, processes, and registration forms. This might include custom event objects with all needed fields, registration forms using Salesforce Forms or custom pages, automated workflows for confirmation emails and follow-ups, integration with your payment processor, and custom reports and dashboards for event management.
Best For: Large organizations with unique event workflows that off-the-shelf solutions can't accommodate. Organizations with development budgets and existing Salesforce customization. Situations where the ROI justifies custom development—typically when managing dozens of events annually with complex requirements.
Quick Comparison Table
Solution Type | Setup | Cost | Best For |
Native Campaigns | Minimal | $0 | Simple, invitation-only events |
Eventbrite | Low | 2.5% + fees | Public events, standard ticketing |
Givebutter | Low-Medium | $0 (donor-covered) | Fundraising events, runs/walks |
Classy | Medium | $1,500-$5,000+/yr | Major fundraising events |
AppExchange Apps | Medium-High | $2,000-$10,000+/yr | Complex events, staying in SF |
Custom Development | High | $15k-$50k+ setup | Unique requirements, high volume |
Decision Framework: Choosing Your Solution
Rather than recommending one solution for all nonprofits, work through a decision framework based on your specific situation.
Key Questions to Ask
How many events do you run annually?
• 1-5 small events: Native Campaigns may suffice
• 5-20 events: Integrated platform like Eventbrite makes sense
• 20+ events: Consider AppExchange app or custom solution
Do you need online registration and payment?
• No: Native Campaigns work fine
• Yes: Must use an integrated platform or AppExchange solution
What's your event complexity?
• Simple (one ticket type, basic info): Eventbrite or similar
• Medium (multiple tiers, sponsorships): Classy or AppExchange
• Complex (sessions, tracks, exhibitors): AppExchange or custom
Implementation Considerations
Regardless of which solution you choose, several implementation factors will determine success.
Data Flow and Integration
Understanding how data flows between your event system and Salesforce is crucial. With integrated platforms, people register in the external system, registration data syncs to Salesforce (typically creating or updating Contact records), and payment information flows back as Opportunities. This process usually happens automatically, albeit with some delay.
Key questions to address: How quickly does data sync? What happens if a Contact already exists? How are duplicate matches handled? Can you control which fields map? What happens to historical event data from Raiser's Edge?
Payment Processing Integration
Most event platforms include payment processing, but understand how these payments connect to your fundraising records in Salesforce. Each platform handles this differently—some create Opportunities automatically, others require manual linking, and some don't integrate payment details at all.
Ensure your chosen solution creates proper gift records in Salesforce so event revenue appears in fundraising reports and donor lifetime value calculations.
Staff Training and Adoption
Your event management solution is only as good as your team's ability to use it effectively. Plan training for staff who will create and manage events, staff who will use the system during events (check-in, on-site management), development officers who need to access event data in Salesforce, and finance staff who reconcile event revenue.
Migration Planning: Moving Historical Event Data
One frequently overlooked aspect is what to do with historical event data from Raiser's Edge. You have several options:
Option 1: Migrate as Campaigns. Convert all historical events to Salesforce Campaigns with Campaign Members showing who attended. This preserves the engagement history on Contact records and maintains reporting continuity.
Option 2: Summary Migration. Migrate recent events (past 2-3 years) in detail and create summary Campaigns for older events showing participation counts without individual attendee detail.
Option 3: Archive Only. Keep Raiser's Edge in read-only mode for historical reference and start fresh in Salesforce for future events. This is the simplest, but it loses historical context.
Most organizations choose Option 1 for events from the past 3-5 years, ensuring development officers can see a constituent's event engagement history when cultivating relationships.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Choosing Based on Features Alone. The platform with the most features isn't necessarily the best choice. A simpler tool that your team will actually use consistently beats a sophisticated platform that sits idle because it's too complex.
Ignoring the Registration Experience. You're intimately familiar with Salesforce, but your event registrants aren't. They'll judge your organization by the registration experience. Choose a solution that presents well to the public, not just one that works well for internal staff.
Underestimating Integration Complexity. Even tools marketed as having 'native Salesforce integration' may require configuration, field mapping, and ongoing maintenance. Budget time and potentially consultant support for proper setup.
Not Planning for Growth. Your event program may be modest now, but what about in three years? Choose a solution that can scale with you rather than one you'll quickly outgrow.
Getting Started
Ready to implement event management for your Salesforce instance? Here's a practical roadmap:
Step 1: Inventory Your Events. List all events you run annually, noting complexity, size, registration method, and unique requirements. This helps identify if one solution can handle everything or if you need multiple approaches.
Step 2: Prioritize Requirements. What must your event solution do versus what would be nice to have? Focus on must-haves first.
Step 3: Test Drive Options. Most platforms offer free trials or demo accounts. Actually create test events and walk through the workflows. Get input from staff who will use the system.
Step 4: Consider Total Cost. Look beyond sticker prices at total cost (including platform fees), staff time, integration costs, and ongoing maintenance. Sometimes a higher-priced solution with better integration costs less long-term.
Step 5: Plan Migration. If you're moving from Raiser's Edge, document what historical data needs to be migrated and how. Don't leave this until the last minute.
Step 6: Get Expert Input. Consulting with Salesforce specialists who have implemented event management many times can save significant time and help avoid costly mistakes.
Partner with Ohana Focus
Let Ohana Focus guide your event management decision and implementation. Schedule your free consultation today.
Ohana Focus has helped hundreds of nonprofits evaluate and implement the right event management solution for their Salesforce instance.
We bring:
• Deep expertise in all major event platforms and Salesforce integrations
• Proven implementation methodologies that ensure smooth launches
• Training approaches that drive staff adoption
• Ongoing support to optimize your event processes
Whether you need help selecting the right solution, implementing an integrated platform, customizing an AppExchange app, or building custom event management functionality, we ensure your event management supports your fundraising goals.
About Ohana Focus
Ohana Focus is a certified Salesforce consulting partner specializing in nonprofit technology solutions. We understand that events are central to nonprofit fundraising and community engagement, and we help organizations implement event management that actually works.
Our team has implemented event solutions ranging from simple Campaign tracking to sophisticated custom-built systems. We know the platforms, understand the integrations, and most importantly, we understand nonprofit event workflows. When you work with Ohana Focus, you get recommendations based on your specific needs—not one-size-fits-all solutions.
Topics: Event Management, Salesforce NPC Nonprofit Events, Eventbrite Integration, Fundraising Events, Raiser's Edge Migration, Event Registration
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