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Online Giving Import using the BMT

The ParishSoft import supports the "ConnectNow" CSV file format provided by ParishSoft and other third parties like Vanco.

Configuration

  • You can match Customer IDs to the Envelope No field of a MinistryPlatform Donor. Any Donor you want to match must have an Envelope Number prior to import. When there is a match during import, the Donation is assigned to the Donor with that Envelope Number.
    Tip: If the BMT doesn't assign the Donor to the correct envelope number, confirm the Envelope Number matches the Customer ID in the file.
  • You can match Fund IDs to the Account Number field of a MinistryPlatform Program. This value should be no more than five alphanumeric characters. Programs should correspond to Fund IDs prior to import. When there is a match during import, the Donation Distribution will have the specified Program.

Import a ParishSoft Batch

Important: With the Batch Manager Tool, you can import more than 1,000 records at a time, but the tool only shows you 1,000 records at a time. Because the balance calculates based on the displayed records, not imported records, your calculations will be incorrect. Be sure to limit your imports to 1,000 records or fewer.
  1. Go to Batch > Import.
  2. In the import dialog, click to browse and locate the ParishSoft CSV file.
  3. Create a Batch Name. The default is "Imported". The number of Items (Donations) in the Batch automatically calculate during import.
  4. Associate this Batch with the appropriate Congregation or Parish.
  5. Choose a Default Program.
    1. Any Donation with a Fund ID matching a Program's Account Number automatically matches. Any Donation missing a Fund ID or with a Fund ID which doesn't match a Program is assigned this Default Program. Any additional Donations added to the Batch after import are also assigned this Default Program.
  6. Choose the appropriate Payment Type.
  7. The currently authenticated User prepopulates as the Batch Operator. If another User will be responsible for this Batch after import, assigned them the Batch.
  8. Select Batch > Save Selected Batches.
  9. Open the Batch and process as usual.
    Note: Any changes made after import only impact data in MinistryPlatform. They do not change what you recorded, transacted, or reported in your external application.

Imported Batch Troubleshooting

Q1: Why were some Donations matched to a Default Contact?

Any Donations not matched to a Donor during import are assigned to Donor ID #1 "Default Contact" since you must associate every Donation with a Donor. You can reassign these Donations to the proper Donor. Next, assign the affected Donor's an Envelope Number to ensure they match in future imports.

Q2: Why do all Donations show the same date?

During import, each Donation has the Batch's Setup Date which reflects the date of the first donation in the import file.

Note: We are unfamiliar and unable to support third-party systems that can generate ConnectNow files. Depending on the nature of your support request, you may be redirected to the third-party system's support for further assistance.