Enable "User Impersonation" Capability for Admins in Raiser's Edge

As our team becomes increasingly remote and user needs grow more complex, it is essential that Admins in Raiser's Edge have the ability to impersonate users. This functionality would greatly enhance our ability to support both frontline fundraisers and administrative staff by allowing us to:

  1. Customize Settings and Homepages More Effectively
    Admins could directly configure dashboards, views, and homepage components tailored to each role, improving usability and reducing setup time for end users.

  2. Improve Role Assignment Accuracy
    By impersonating users, Admins can verify exactly what a user sees, ensuring that role-based access and permissions are appropriate and functioning as intended.

  3. Support Remote Staff More Efficiently
    With many staff working remotely, in-person troubleshooting is no longer feasible. Impersonation would allow Admins to quickly identify and resolve issues without needing screen-sharing sessions or multiple back-and-forth communications.

  4. Reduce Errors and Training Needs
    By setting up users correctly the first time, we reduce the likelihood of configuration errors and minimize the need for training or technical support related to navigation or feature access.

This capability would significantly improve our administrative efficiency, user experience, and overall system integrity.

  • Jen Cornell
  • May 2 2025
  • Reviewed: Voting Open
  • Attach files
  • Irene Hui commented
    24 Jul 16:26

    This would so great and important to have! I just recently went through having to work with ITS to create a test account which was not easy. Agree with all of Jen's points!

  • Chris Hounsell commented
    21 May 15:46

    I second everything Jen laid out. We shouldn't have to create test accounts using a different email address just so we can see what the end user (i.e. staff member) sees. The ability to quickly see what the end user sees would definitely simplify what is already a complex job as an admin person for this database where I'm managing 50+ users at any given time.

  • Phillip Shipsides commented
    08 May 14:37

    This would be awesome. Great Idea!

  • Maya Rosman commented
    02 May 15:49

    Jen has laid out an incredibly compelling case for this improvement! We are very much lacking in data admin tools in webview and this would be a huge help. I agree with her 100% on all points and hope that Blackbaud will seriously consider this change.

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