When importing your supporters, follow this process. 

Here are some extra details to assist you when importing your supporters:

You can use our predefined templates or your own files. While our templates are recommended for simplified data matching, they are not mandatory.

Required Fields#

There are seven fields required for supporters:

• first_name
• last_name
• (or organization)
• email
• address1
• postal
• city
• country

Note: Unless you are doing an update to Supporters, we do not recommend you include the supporter_permalink in your import.

If you are using sponsorships in REACH, it’s crucial to follow this sequence for correct record linkage: begin with Sponsorship Images, then move on to Sponsorships, Supporters, and finally Donation History (optional).

Next, ensure you have set up any supporter custom fields, as these will be included in the Supporter Import Template.

Using our Supporter Import Template#

Navigate to to Data Setup > Data Import/Export > Imports tab andselect the Supporter Import Template from the System Import Templates dropdown menu to download the template. 

The template consists of two sheets: the first sheet lists column names and descriptions detailing the required supporter data for each column. The second sheet is where you will enter your data for the import.

Input your data into the second sheet, being sure to include the required fields, first_name, last_name, email, address1, postal, city and country.

Delete any empty rows from your spreadsheet. Empty columns should not cause a problem. 

Importing your Supporter Data#

Now, you can prepare to import your file. 

Remember, you can consult our Importing your Records article for detailed instructions. 

It’s highly advisable to first conduct a test import with a small number of supporter records. This allows you to observe how each data field maps and correct any errors before proceeding with the import of all your records.

Navigate to to Data Setup > Data Import/Export > Imports tab.

• Click + New Import
• For the Import Type, select Supporters 
• Review the required and optional fields and edit your data as needed. Click Show field definitions more details.
• Browse to choose the file to import
• Click Submit 
• Match your imported columns, click Import Data. 

If successfully matched, your import will begin processing and you will receive an email once complete. 

If any columns were not matched correctly, the necessary corrections will be specified in red. If needed, make corrections in your import file, and return to Step 2.

Once completed, you will see a status page that details the name of your import file, the import type, the status, uploaded date and a list with links to the records imported.