We’ve created this Setup Checklist to help guide you through the full preparation and launch of your new REACH account.

This is intended for clients who want to set up REACH on their own. If you are seeking paid assistance with preparing and launching your REACH account, please see our Setup Checklist with Expert Assistance: Your Guided Onboarding.

Getting Started Tips:

• As you’re just getting started, we highly recommend you view our Getting Started Webinar and register to attend our next New Admin Orientation.
• If you want to try out REACH using a few records at first, here are guides to demo the Sponsorships or the Donations and Supporters features. These articles will guide you through adding a few key records at a time to test out your personalized configuration of REACH before starting to add in all of your data.
• Get familiar with the Admin Console, then follow the sections below to begin your setup.

This printable can be used to check off items as you complete them.

Use the direct links in the following sections to visit articles in our Knowledge Base that provide detailed instruction on how to complete each item.

General Setup#

• Add your organization’s Account details
• Set up your Admin Users (please add more than one Admin User for contingency purposes)
• Review Account Rule Settings
• Disable Supporter Email during setup (optional)

Online Donations Setup#

• Set up REACHpay or a selected Payment Gateway
• Prepare for donations with the Donation Setup
• Set up Donation Categories
• Review our Double the Donation matching gift integration

Portal Setup#

• Select your Portal Theme
• Customize your Portal details and branding
• Customize your website/portal Menus
• Set up your Places (optional)
• Set up your Projects (optional)
• Set up any additional web Pages (optional)
• Review the Donor Portal

Prepare for Sponsorships#

• Review the Sponsorship Checklist
• Set up your Sponsorship and Share Types
• Create your Custom Fields for Sponsorships

Set Up for Supporters#

• Create your Custom Fields for Supporters,
• Optional – add custom fields to your Donation Form
• Optional – create supporter Groups
• Review the Donor Portal

Import Your Records#

First review the basic steps for importing your data.

Then import your data in the following order. Imports build on each other, so the order is essential.

• Import your Sponsorship Images
• Import your Sponsorships
• Import your Supporters
• Import your Donation History
• Transfer Supporter Payment Information into REACH

Prepare for Communications#

• Learn about the automated REACH System Emails
• Create Custom Email Templates (optional)(Essentials and Pro Plans)
• Set up additional Supporter Notifications (optional)
• Review Mail Merge Templates (i.e. Contribution Statements)
• Review Text Message options
• Set up Admin Automations (Optional)
• Review Communications Preferences list
• Review and Set up any Site Integrations

Review Available Fundraising Features #

• Campaigns
• Events
• Products (Online store)
• Text to Give
• Trips (Managed Missions integration)

Data Management Features#

• Admin Tasks and Notes
• Reports and Segments

Prepare to Launch#

• Complete testing using the list of system checks
• If you have not already done so, onboard your Admin Users

Onboard Your Supporters#

• Convert sponsorships from legacy to online
• Prepare Email to Supporters
• Re-enable Supporter Emails following setup (optional)