Blackbaud has been highlighting our new SKY API capabilities inside Blackbaud Grantmaking since we introduced they have been reside in beta throughout our Might Product Replace Briefing. There are some thrilling potentialities that APIs can deliver to your Grantmaking instrument, however it may be a bit formidable to get began. When you’re over the preliminary hurdles, the rewards for these organizations that take some time to discover ways to use the APIs could be profound.
What’s an API and the way does it work?
The Blackbaud SKY API, or Utility Programming Interface, is principally a algorithm that outlines how one piece of software program can entry information or performance offered by a separate piece of software program. This entry permits completely different programs to speak with each other and share performance and information.
Whether or not it or not, you employ APIs day-after-day. Do you test the climate forecast in your cellphone? That app makes use of an API that connects to and shares information from a climate service. Do you ever use Fb or Google to log right into a third-party web site? That’s an API that authenticates you and offers you entry. Do you buy something utilizing PayPal or Google Pay? That connection is created by an API that shares fee info between these programs and the seller.
Blackbaud’s fashionable SKY API capabilities offer you that energy to attach and share information with different programs in the identical manner. You need to use that connection to view and use information from any system that has API capabilities, which most fashionable programs do. As we proceed to broaden the fields and information out there to share inside Blackbaud Grantmaking, we’ve not too long ago hit a serious milestone. Our SKY APIs in Blackbaud Grantmaking now have endpoint parity with the legacy API instrument that was beforehand out there. Because of this something you can do with the outdated system now you can do with the SKY API, and it will solely proceed to develop as we add extra endpoints. Every endpoint represents further information fields that the API can acquire and share, in order these develop inside Blackbaud Grantmaking, you’ll have extra info out there to share with exterior programs.
What are you able to do as we speak, and what are we seeking to ship sooner or later?
Immediately, Blackbaud Grantmaking’s SKY API capabilities are centered round monetary information, like grant quantities and remaining stability. You possibly can already share that info together with your monetary system whereas additionally pulling information like fee date or fee sort into your grant administration system. Now that each one the Blackbaud Grantmaking API finish factors are modernized, it supplies further alternatives for connections to different programs.
To supply extra worth for our grantmaking prospects, we’re working internally and with third-party builders to supply ready-built integrations for specific instruments. You could already be acquainted with our plug-and-play Raiser’s Edge NXT integration with Blackbaud Grantmaking, out there within the Blackbaud Market. That is constructed on our legacy APIs, however our imaginative and prescient is to have related and extra expansive connectors out there sooner or later that will help you get essentially the most out of your grantmaking software program. The last word aim is to give you the instruments and skills to develop and prolong your system so you are able to do your work, your manner.
You don’t want to attend for Blackbaud, or third events, nevertheless. You possibly can really get began utilizing the APIs as we speak. Right here’s how.
The place do I get began?
There is usually a little bit of a studying curve to start working with any API. Blackbaud is right here that will help you discover your footing and begin the journey. The primary place to begin is our SKY API web page, which has a ton of sources out there to you. All of it begins, nevertheless, with you making a SKY Developer account—right here is the sign-up web page. Don’t be scared off by the time period “developer.” There are a selection of low-code and no-code choices. After getting your account arrange, you’ll discover further sources on the API web page that stroll you thru the fundamentals and essential issues to know.
When you’ve familiarized your self with the instrument, the following step is dipping your toes within the water. Begin considering by what processes you can enhance or make extra environment friendly by creating your personal connections. Blackbaud has boards that will help you with this as you start constructing out your APIs. Essentially the most helpful could also be our Blackbaud SKY Developer Neighborhood. Lots of our prospects throughout all our API enabled merchandise use the Neighborhood web page to submit questions and solutions and share their successes and classes discovered.
Interested by utilizing PowerAutomate to construct your personal low-code answer? Blackbaud Grantmaking helps the Blackbaud SKY Add-ins Licensed Energy Connecter.
We are able to in fact additionally help you instantly by Blackbaud Help. Our Help workforce might help you with bugs or different suspected points with the SKY Developer instruments. Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that Help doesn’t troubleshoot code, present coaching, or provide code samples. On the similar time, our Skilled Companies group can instantly assist seek the advice of on an integration you’re attempting to develop or construct an integration for you outright. Let your Buyer Service Supervisor or Account Govt know in the event you’d be concerned with us working with you on this.
So, what’s subsequent?
Go forth and conquer! Learn the documentation out there and brainstorm what integrations and connections could be most useful to your group and processes. Make sure to look by the Neighborhood for inspiration and to see what others are doing and what they’ve discovered alongside the best way. It’s also possible to use the Concept Financial institution inside Neighborhood to recommend pre-built integrations—after which encourage different prospects to vote for it.
Lastly, create your developer account and craft a easy connection that may allow you to see or share information that you just’ve at all times wished you can. When you get the dangle of it, you’ll be grateful you began, and your solely query for Blackbaud shall be “when can I get extra endpoints?” to make much more issues attainable.
Wish to hear extra about what’s subsequent for SKY APIs and the innovation coming to Blackbaud Grantmaking? Be part of us for our subsequent Product Replace Briefing to see how we’re creating even tighter connections to save lots of you time and allow you to drive extra impression.
