Setup Requirements
Before configuring the WeGive Bloomerang integration, ensure you meet all the necessary prerequisites and have access to the required resources.Prerequisites
Bloomerang Account Requirements
- Active Subscription: Valid Bloomerang CRM subscription
- API Access: Bloomerang account with API access enabled
- Administrator Privileges: Admin-level access to generate API keys
- Version Compatibility: Bloomerang API v2 access
WeGive Account Requirements
- Organization Admin: Administrator privileges in your WeGive organization
- Integration Access: Access to the WeGive integrations dashboard
- Billing Status: Active WeGive subscription with integration features enabled
Required Information
From Bloomerang
Gather the following information from your Bloomerang account:-
API Key
- Generated from Bloomerang Settings → API Access
- Keep this secure - it provides full access to your Bloomerang data
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Default Fund ID
- At least one fund must exist in Bloomerang
- This fund will be used for transactions without specific designations
- Note the Fund ID from your Bloomerang fund settings
-
Account Structure
- Review existing constituent records
- Understand your current fund organization
- Identify any custom fields in use
From WeGive
Ensure you have:- Organization ID: Your WeGive organization identifier
- Admin Access: Ability to configure integrations
- Data Review: Understanding of existing donor and transaction data
API Access Setup
Generating Bloomerang API Key
-
Login to Bloomerang
- Access your Bloomerang CRM dashboard
- Ensure you have administrator privileges
-
Navigate to API Settings
- Go to Settings → API Access
- If API access is not visible, contact Bloomerang support
-
Generate New Key
- Click Generate New API Key
- Copy the generated key immediately
- Store securely - this key won’t be shown again
-
Test API Access
- Verify the key works by making a test API call
- Ensure proper permissions are assigned
API Permissions
Your API key must have access to:- Constituents: Read and write access for donor management
- Transactions: Read and write access for donation processing
- Funds: Read and write access for designation management
- Addresses: Read and write access for contact information
Data Preparation
Bloomerang Data Review
Before integration setup:-
Clean Existing Data
- Remove duplicate constituent records
- Standardize naming conventions
- Verify contact information accuracy
-
Fund Structure
- Ensure at least one active fund exists
- Review fund naming and organization
- Note fund IDs for mapping purposes
-
Constituent Categories
- Understand individual vs. organization types
- Review any custom constituent categories in use
WeGive Data Review
-
Donor Records
- Review existing donor profiles
- Identify potential duplicates with Bloomerang
- Prepare for initial matching process
-
Transaction History
- Review donation records that need syncing
- Understand fund/designation mappings
- Plan for historical data import if needed
-
Fund Alignment
- Compare WeGive funds with Bloomerang funds
- Plan fund mapping strategy
- Identify any new funds needed
Network and Security
Firewall Configuration
Ensure your network allows:- Outbound HTTPS: Port 443 to
api.bloomerang.co
- API Endpoints: Access to Bloomerang API v2 endpoints
- Rate Limiting: No restrictions on API call frequency
Security Considerations
-
API Key Storage
- Store API keys securely
- Rotate keys periodically
- Monitor API usage for unexpected activity
-
Data Privacy
- Ensure compliance with data protection regulations
- Review data sharing agreements
- Understand data residency requirements
-
Access Control
- Limit integration access to necessary personnel
- Use role-based permissions
- Maintain audit logs of configuration changes
Testing Environment
Recommended Setup
-
Bloomerang Sandbox
- Use Bloomerang test environment if available
- Create test data for integration validation
-
WeGive Test Mode
- Utilize WeGive’s test connection feature
- Validate configuration before going live
-
Data Backup
- Export current data from both systems
- Maintain backups before initial sync
- Document rollback procedures
Technical Specifications
API Rate Limits
- Default Limit: 1000 requests per hour
- Burst Capacity: Short-term higher limits available
- Retry Logic: Automatic backoff and retry handling
Data Volume Considerations
- Large Datasets: Plan for longer initial sync times
- Concurrent Operations: Understand API concurrency limits
- Batch Processing: Leverage batch endpoints for efficiency
Integration Frequency
- Real-time Sync: For critical updates
- Scheduled Sync: For bulk operations
- Manual Triggers: For testing and recovery
Validation Checklist
Before proceeding with setup:- Bloomerang account has API access enabled
- API key generated and tested
- Default fund identified and configured
- WeGive admin access confirmed
- Network connectivity verified
- Data backup completed
- Security policies reviewed
- Testing strategy planned
Common Issues
API Access Problems
Issue: Cannot generate API key- Solution: Contact Bloomerang support to enable API access
- Check: Verify account subscription includes API features
- Solution: Regenerate API key and verify proper copying
- Check: Ensure no extra spaces or characters in key
Data Preparation Issues
Issue: No funds exist in Bloomerang- Solution: Create at least one fund before integration setup
- Check: Verify fund is active and properly configured
- Solution: Clean duplicates before initial sync
- Check: Use Bloomerang’s duplicate detection tools
Next Steps
Once requirements are met:- Proceed to Configuration Options
- Review Technical Implementation
- Study Data Mapping details