Do you have Contacts that operate as a dynamic duo, always donating under both names and sharing the same personal information? Sometimes, it's easier to manage these Contacts as 'couple', under a single Contact Profile. But other times, it can complicate your interactions and mettle with your donor management.
Let's go over some scenarios where 'coupling' Contacts would be most effective for your donor management, and how to decide what's right for your organization.
Rules for Managing Combined Contacts
When managing combined Contacts, we recommend following these basic rules:
- Will you be sending mass e-mails to these 2 x Contacts via a shared email address?
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- If yes- combine them into a single record
- If no- separate them into two records
Example: If you choose to combine the two Contacts into a single record, your weekly newsletter will be received to their joint e-mail address and will be addressed to both individuals.
2. Will a single donation receipt be produced for these 2 x Contacts?
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- If yes- combine them into a single record
- If no- separate them into their own two records so that donations and receipts can be logged and issued separately
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Example: If you choose to combine the two Contacts into a single record, all donations that are logged on this record will have a donation receipt produced for both of those Contacts (ie. Mickey and Minnie Mouse).
3. Is one of these individuals more involved in your organization than the other?
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- If yes - create two individual Contact records so interactions can be managed efficiently
- If no- combine into a 'coupled' record
Example: If you choose to combine the two Contacts into a single record and one of them is an active Volunteer for your organization, all interactions and communications will be logged to the 'coupled' Contact Profile and will be not be distinct from other interactions meant specifically for one individual - the volunteer.
I've Decided Not to 'Couple' my Contacts
If you've decided against 'coupling' your contacts, make sure that each contact has a unique Primary Email address and to associate the individual Contact Profiles to a Household. This way, you can view all Interactions, Transactions, To-Do's, Memberships and Volunteering for each associated Contact on a single page!