This article discusses how to add your supporters (manually or via import), converting existing donors or sponsors, the initial communication and onboarding of supporters.

You can add supporters to REACH individually or in bulk, and each supporter with an email address will automatically receive access to the REACH Donor Portal.

Add a Supporter Manually#

1. Go to Supporters > + Add Supporter.
2. Enter required details: Name, Email Address, Primary Contact Information.
3. (Optional) Add additional details such as Address or Phone.
4. Click Save to create the supporter record.

Tip: If you expect to manage many supporters, create your Custom Fields first so you can capture all the data you need.

Import Supporters in Bulk#

Importing is the fastest way to set up supporters when starting fresh or migrating from another system.

1. Download the Supporter Import Template (CSV).
2. Fill in supporter data:
   • Required: Name, Email, Contact Method(s)
   • Optional: Address, Phone, Notes, Tags, Custom Fields
3. Go to Data Setup > Imports in your Admin Console.
4. Upload your CSV and map each column to a REACH field.
5. Run the import.

Best Practices:

• Double-check formatting before uploading.
• Use unique email addresses to avoid duplicates.
• Test with a small batch first.

Converting Existing Donors or Sponsors#

When transitioning from another system, REACH lets you:

• Import supporter data via CSV
• Link recurring donations to supporter records
• Merge duplicate records

Initial Communication & Onboarding Supporters#

Every supporter with an email address in REACH is automatically provided access to the Donor Portal. In the portal, supporters can:

• View their profile, donations, campaigns, and sponsorships
• Download giving statements
• Update contact details and payment information

See the Donor Portal section for customization options and the How to Login to the Donor Portal support page, which you can share with supporters.

Once your records are set up, notify supporters about the transition with a welcome email.

Suggested Welcome Email#

Subject: Welcome to REACH – Your New Supporter Portal

Hello {{ supporter.name }},

We’re excited to introduce you to REACH, the new tool we’ll be using to manage our child sponsorship program, projects, and fundraising campaigns. One of the reasons we chose REACH was for its many benefits to you, our valued supporter.

With REACH, you’ll have 24/7 access to your account through the Donor Portal, where you can update your information, review donations, download giving statements, and manage your sponsorships.

You’ve already been added to the system. To get started:

1. Click the Sign In button below.
2. Enter your email address: {{ supporter.email }}
3. Leave the password field blank and click Sign In. You’ll receive an email with instructions to set your password. (If you don’t see it, use Forgot Password?.)

[Sign In Here]({Your Sign-In Link: e.g., organization.reachapp.co/users/sign_in})

Once signed in:

• Verify your contact information
• Review/update your payment method
• Go to My Sponsorships and click Convert to Online (or Convert All to Online if you have more than one)

If you have any questions, please contact {{ account.name }} at {{ account.email }} or {{ account.phone }}.

We’re so thankful for your continued support!

Sending Your Welcome Email in REACH#

1. Go to Communication > Emails
2. Click + New Mailing
3. Add a Subject
4. For Purpose, select All Supporters
5. Add your email text (use Insert Fields to personalize)
6. Click Send

Tip: Always test first. Create a Test Group under Supporters > Groups, or simply type your own email address in the Recipients field.

End Result#

Whether added one by one or in bulk, supporters will have complete REACH profiles and immediate access to the Donor Portal—ready for communication, sponsorships, and reporting.

Next, we recommend setting up Supporter Custom Fields and Supporter Notifications.