Query to Reports: Recreating Your Favorite Raiser's Edge Queries in Salesforce
- Ohana Focus Team
- Jan 17
- 9 min read
By Ohana Focus | January 16, 2025 | 20 min read
One of the biggest anxieties organizations face when migrating from Raiser's Edge to Salesforce: 'Will I lose my queries?' Development teams have built libraries of saved queries over years—donor segments, giving reports, cultivation lists, event attendees. These aren't just nice-to-haves; they're essential operational tools. The good news is you won't lose this reporting capability. The challenge is that Raiser's Edge queries don't directly translate to Salesforce reports. You'll need to rebuild them, understanding how Salesforce's reporting model differs and, ultimately, how it can do more than what you had before.
This guide walks you through the translation process: understanding the philosophical differences between RE queries and SF reports, identifying which queries to prioritize, mapping query logic to report filters, rebuilding common query types step-by-step, and leveraging Salesforce capabilities that Raiser's Edge couldn't provide.
Understanding the Fundamental Differences
Before diving into rebuilding specific queries, it's important to understand how Raiser's Edge and Salesforce approach reporting differently.
What are Raiser's Edge Queries in Salesforce?
In Raiser's Edge, queries are fundamentally searches. You define criteria ('Find all constituents where...'), select output fields ('Show me these columns...'), and generate a result set. Queries are flexible but relatively flat—they primarily pull from the Constituent record with limited ability to traverse relationships deeply.
Key characteristics:
• Constituent-centric: Most queries start from the Constituent table and branch out
• Parameter prompts: Runtime prompts let users specify values without creating separate saved queries
• Export definitions: Separate from queries but similar—defining what fields to include
• Limited aggregation: Calculating sums or averages requires export to Excel
• Static structure: Once run, queries produce a data table—no built-in visualization
Salesforce: Reports as Analysis Tools
Salesforce reports are more than searches—they're analytical tools with built-in grouping, summarization, and visualization. Reports are built on Report Types that define relationships between objects.
Key characteristics:
Object relationships: Reports pull from multiple related objects simultaneously
Built-in aggregation: Sum, count, and average calculations are native to reports
Grouping and summarization: Group by fields and calculate subtotals without exporting
Visual representations: Charts, graphs, and dashboards directly from report data
Dynamic filtering: Runtime filters similar to RE parameter prompts, but more flexible
Matrix reports: Cross-tabulation showing data by rows and columns (not available in RE)
Query vs. Report: Side-by-Side Comparison
Raiser's Edge Query | Salesforce Report |
Select constituent fields | Choose Report Type + columns |
Include/exclude records | Add filters (standard + custom) |
Parameter prompts | Runtime filter prompts |
Sort by field | Group by field + sort |
Run to get results table | Run to get table + chart |
Export to Excel for sums | Built-in summary calculations |
Prioritizing Which Queries to Rebuild
Most organizations have dozens (sometimes hundreds) of saved queries in Raiser's Edge. You don't need to rebuild all of them—many are duplicates, obsolete, or used once and forgotten.
The Query Audit
Before migrating, inventory your queries:
• Export list of all saved queries from Raiser's Edge
• Survey development staff: which queries do you actually use?
• Review query run history to see usage frequency
• Identify queries used for regular processes
• Flag queries that are duplicates or slight variations
• Document query purpose: why was this created?
Priority Classification
Tier 1 - Rebuild Immediately (Pre-Launch):
• Queries used daily or weekly
• Queries feeding essential processes (board reports, monthly summaries)
• Queries your database manager relies on for data quality
• Year-end giving reports (if migrating in Q4)
Tier 2 - Rebuild Post-Launch (First 90 Days):
• Queries used monthly or quarterly
• Donor segmentation queries for appeals
• Specialized reports for specific programs
• Ad-hoc analysis queries referenced periodically
Tier 3 - Rebuild On-Demand or Skip:
• Queries not used in the past year
• One-off queries created for specific historical purposes
• Duplicate queries that can be consolidated
• Queries whose purpose is now handled by standard SF reports
Mapping Query Logic to Report Filters
The heart of any query or report is its filtering logic: which records should be included? Here's how Raiser's Edge query criteria translate to Salesforce filters.
Common Field Translations
Raiser's Edge Field | Salesforce Field |
Constituent Code | Contact: Type / Account: Type |
Constituent Attributes | Custom fields on Contact/Account |
Gift Amount | Opportunity: Amount |
Gift Date | Opportunity: Close Date |
Campaign | Campaign / Opportunity: Campaign |
Solicitor | Opportunity: Owner |
Action Date | Task: Activity Date |
Filter Operators
Raiser's Edge and Salesforce use similar but not identical filter operators:
RE 'Equal to' = SF 'equals' - Exact match
RE 'Not equal to' = SF 'not equal to' - Exclude exact match
RE 'One of' = SF 'equals' multiple values - Match any from list
RE 'Between' = SF 'greater than' + 'less than' - Range for dates or amounts
RE 'Is blank' = SF 'equals' blank - Null/empty fields
RE 'Is not blank' = SF 'not equal to' blank - Has any value
RE 'Like' = SF 'contains' - Partial text match
Common Query Types: Translation Examples
Let's walk through rebuilding several common Raiser's Edge query types as Salesforce reports.
Major Donors Who Gave Last Year But Not This Year
Raiser's Edge Query Logic:
• Constituent with lifetime giving >= $10,000
• AND Gift Date between 1/1/2024 and 12/31/2024
• AND NOT Gift Date between 1/1/2025 and 12/31/2025
Salesforce Report Approach:
Report Type: Contacts with Opportunities
Filters:
• Contact: Total Gifts (lifetime) >= 10,000
• Opportunity: Close Date equals Last Year
• Opportunity: Stage equals Closed Won
Better Approach: Create a formula field on Contact: 'Gave Last Year But Not This Year' (TRUE if Last Gift Date is in previous calendar year). Then filter reports by this field. This turns a complex query into a simple filter.
All Donors to Specific Campaign
Raiser's Edge Query Logic:
• Constituent with gift to Campaign = 'Annual Fund 2024'
• Include: Name, Address, Phone, Email, Gift Amount, Gift Date
Salesforce Report Approach:
Report Type: Contacts with Opportunities
Filters:
• Opportunity: Campaign Name equals 'Annual Fund 2024'
• Opportunity: Stage equals Closed Won
Columns:
• Contact Name, Mailing Address, Phone, Email, Opportunity Amount, Close Date
Giving Summary by Fund for Date Range
Raiser's Edge Query Logic:
• Gift Date between [start/end date parameters]
• Group by Fund
• Show total gifts, total amount per fund
Salesforce Report Approach:
Report Type: Opportunities
Filters:
• Close Date - Range option, 'Show filter when running report' (runtime prompt)
• Stage equals Closed Won
Grouping:
• Group rows by Campaign (or Fund field)
Summary Fields:
• Record Count (number of gifts)
• Sum of Amount (total raised)
• Average of Amount (average gift)
Event Attendees with Gift History
Raiser's Edge Query Logic:
• Constituent with Event participation in '2024 Gala'
• Include lifetime giving, last gift date, last gift amount
Salesforce Report Approach:
Report Type: Campaigns with Campaign Members
Filters:
• Campaign Name equals '2024 Gala'
• Campaign Member Status equals 'Attended'
Columns:
• Contact Name, Total Gifts (NPC rollup), Last Gift Date, Largest Gift
Advantage: If NPC rollup fields are set up properly, this data is automatically available without cross-referencing.
Step-by-Step: Building Your First Report
Let's walk through the actual process of building a Salesforce report from scratch.
Scenario: Donors Who Gave $500+ in Past Year
Step 1: Navigate to Reports Tab
From Salesforce home, click Reports tab. Click 'New Report' button.
Step 2: Select Report Type
Choose 'Contacts with Opportunities.' Click 'Continue.'
Step 3: Set Date Filter
In Filters panel, find 'Close Date.' Change from 'All Time' to 'Last 12 Months.'
Step 4: Add Amount Filter
Click 'Add filter.' Select 'Amount' field. Set to 'greater or equal' 500.
Step 5: Add Stage Filter
Add filter for 'Stage' equals 'Closed Won.'
Step 6: Select Columns
Add fields you want: Contact Name, Address, Phone, Email, Opportunity Amount, Close Date.
Step 7: Group (Optional)
For a simple list, no grouping needed.
Step 8: Add Chart (Optional)
Click 'Add Chart' to visualize data if desired.
Step 9: Save Report
Click 'Save.' Name it clearly: '$500+ Donors - Past Year.' Choose folder.
Step 10: Run and Verify
Click 'Run' to see results. Spot-check records to ensure filters work correctly.
Advanced Reporting: Beyond What RE Could Do
Here are some reporting capabilities Salesforce offers that Raiser's Edge doesn't.
Matrix Reports: Cross-Tabulation
Matrix reports show data summarized by both rows and columns—perfect for analysis that required pivot tables in Excel.
Example: Giving by Fund and Year
• Row Grouping: Campaign (or Fund)
• Column Grouping: Close Date (by year)
• Summarize: Sum of Amount
Result: A grid showing each fund as rows, years as columns, total giving at intersections.
Joined Reports: Multiple Report Types Combined
Joined reports let you combine multiple report types in a single report—impossible in Raiser's Edge.
Example: Executive Summary Dashboard
• Block 1: Year-to-date giving summary
• Block 2: Active major gift prospects
• Block 3: Recent event participation
Result: One report showing three different data sets side-by-side.
Bucket Fields: Custom Categorization
Bucket fields let you group values on-the-fly within reports without creating custom fields.
Example: Donor Segmentation by Gift Size
• Bucket: 'Small Donor' = Amount < $100
• Bucket: 'Mid-Level' = Amount $100-$999
• Bucket: 'Major Donor' = Amount $1,000+
Then group by this bucket to see giving distribution across segments.
Dashboard Integration
Every Salesforce report can feed a dashboard component—charts, gauges, metrics, tables—that update automatically as data changes.
Dashboard Component Types:
• Bar Charts: Compare giving across campaigns, years, or segments
• Line Charts: Show trends over time
• Pie Charts: Display proportions (giving by fund)
• Gauges: Track progress toward goals
• Metrics: Show single key numbers (YTD giving)
• Tables: List top/recent items
Report Types: Understanding the Foundation
A key concept in Salesforce reporting: Report Types define which objects and relationships are available in a report.
Standard Report Types:
• 'Contacts and Accounts' - Basic constituent info
• 'Opportunities' - Gift data
• 'Contacts with Opportunities' - Donors with their gifts
• 'Campaigns with Campaign Members' - Event participation
Custom Report Types:
You can create custom report types to access specific object combinations that standard types don't cover.
Choosing the Right Report Type
• For donor lists: Use 'Contacts' or 'Accounts'
• For gift analysis: Use 'Opportunities'
• For donors with giving history: Use 'Contacts with Opportunities'
• For campaign/event analysis: Use 'Campaigns with Campaign Members'
Dynamic Reports: Runtime Filters
Runtime filters let report users specify values when running the report, just like RE parameter prompts.
Creating a Runtime Filter:
1. Add the filter you want users to control (e.g., Close Date, Campaign)
2. Click the filter. Select 'Show values as' option. Check 'Filter when running report'
3. Save report. When run, Salesforce prompts for the filter value
Common Runtime Filter Uses:
• Date ranges: 'Show gifts between [start] and [end]'
• Campaigns: 'Select which campaign to report on'
• Gift amounts: 'Minimum gift amount to include'
• Geographic filters: 'Select state or region'
Report Folders and Sharing
Organization is critical when building dozens of reports.
Recommended Folder Structure:
• 'Donor Reports' - Constituent lists and donor analysis
• 'Gift Reports' - Revenue, giving analysis, campaign performance
• 'Pipeline Reports' - Prospect tracking, proposal status
• 'Event Reports' - Attendance, event revenue
• 'Operations Reports' - Data quality, missing data, duplicates
• 'Board Reports' - Executive summaries, high-level metrics
Training Staff on New Reports
Even perfect report recreation fails if staff don't know how to use them.
Key Training Topics:
• Finding reports: Where are reports stored? How to search?
• Running reports: Click Run. Understand runtime prompts.
• Interpreting results: Understanding groupings, subtotals, grand totals
• Exporting: Export to Excel, CSV, PDF
• Modifying: Editing filters, adding columns (if they have permissions)
Ongoing Report Maintenance
Reports require ongoing maintenance as your organization evolves.
Regular Review Schedule:
Quarterly: Review report usage. Archive or delete unused reports.
After major changes: When you add custom fields or change data structure, review reports.
Annual: Conduct full report audit. Are reports still meeting needs?
Partner with Ohana Focus
Expert report migration services. Schedule your free consultation today.
Ohana Focus has recreated thousands of Raiser's Edge queries as optimized Salesforce reports for nonprofits of all sizes. We understand the translation process, know which reports to prioritize, and build reports that leverage Salesforce capabilities you didn't have in RE.
Our reporting migration services include:
• Complete query audit and prioritization
• Field mapping from RE to SF
• Report rebuilding with optimization
• Custom report type creation when needed
• Runtime filter setup for dynamic reports
• Dashboard creation for visualization
• Staff training on using new reports
• Documentation of all reports and filters
• Post-go-live support for iterations
We don't just replicate what you had—we build better reports that take advantage of Salesforce's more powerful reporting engine.
About Ohana Focus
Ohana Focus is a certified Salesforce consulting partner specializing in nonprofit reporting and analytics. We help organizations transitioning from Raiser's Edge rebuild their essential queries as powerful Salesforce reports, ensuring continuity of operations while unlocking new analytical capabilities.
Our reporting experts understand both systems deeply. We know what questions development teams need to answer, what reports matter most, and how to translate complex RE query logic into efficient SF reports. More importantly, we help organizations discover reporting capabilities Salesforce offers that Raiser's Edge couldn't—matrix reports, joined reports, dynamic filtering, and integrated dashboards.
When you work with Ohana Focus on report migration, you get practical prioritization of what to rebuild first, accurate field mapping and filter translation, reports optimized for Salesforce's capabilities, custom report types for unique needs, training that builds user confidence, and documentation that makes reports easy to find and use.
Topics: Salesforce Reports, Raiser's Edge Queries, NPC Reporting, Query Migration, Report Builder, Donor Analytics, Fundraising Reports
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