Blackbaud has been highlighting our new SKY API capabilities inside Blackbaud Grantmaking since we introduced they had been stay in beta throughout our Could Product Replace Briefing. There are some thrilling prospects that APIs can carry to your Grantmaking device, 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 learn to use the APIs might be profound.
What’s an API and the way does it work?
The Blackbaud SKY API, or Software Programming Interface, is principally a algorithm that outlines how one piece of software program can entry knowledge or performance supplied by a separate piece of software program. This entry permits totally different programs to speak with each other and share performance and knowledge.
Whether or not you realize it or not, you employ APIs each day. Do you verify the climate forecast in your telephone? That app makes use of an API that connects to and shares knowledge 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 cost data between these programs and the seller.
Blackbaud’s trendy SKY API capabilities provide you with that energy to attach and share knowledge with different programs in the identical means. You should use that connection to view and use knowledge from any system that has API capabilities, which most trendy programs do. As we proceed to broaden the fields and knowledge obtainable 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 device that was beforehand obtainable. Because of this something you may do with the outdated system now you can do with the SKY API, and it will solely proceed to develop as we add extra endpoints.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 extra knowledge fields that the API can acquire and share, in order these develop inside Blackbaud Grantmaking, you’ll have extra data obtainable to share with exterior programs.
What are you able to do as we speak, and what are we trying to ship sooner or later?
Right this moment, Blackbaud Grantmaking’s SKY API capabilities are centered round monetary knowledge, like grant quantities and remaining steadiness. You may already share that data along with your monetary system whereas additionally pulling knowledge like cost date or cost sort into your grant administration system. Now that every one the Blackbaud Grantmaking API finish factors are modernized, it offers extra alternatives for connections to different programs.
To offer extra worth for our grantmaking clients, we’re working internally and with third-party builders to supply ready-built integrations for specific instruments. It’s possible you’ll already be conversant in our plug-and-play Raiser’s Edge NXT integration with Blackbaud Grantmaking, obtainable within the Blackbaud Market. That is constructed on our legacy APIs, however our imaginative and prescient is to have related and extra expansive connectors obtainable sooner or later that can assist you get essentially the most out of your grantmaking software program. The last word objective is to offer you the instruments and skills to develop and lengthen your system so you are able to do your work, your means.
You don’t want to attend for Blackbaud, or third events, nonetheless. You may 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 can assist you discover your footing and begin the journey. The primary place to start out is our SKY API web page, which has a ton of sources obtainable to you. All of it begins, nonetheless, 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 variety of low-code and no-code choices. After getting your account arrange, you’ll discover extra 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 device, the following step is dipping your toes within the water. Begin pondering by means of what processes you may enhance or make extra environment friendly by growing your individual connections. Blackbaud has boards that can assist you with this as you start constructing out your APIs. Probably the most helpful could also be our Blackbaud SKY Developer Group. A lot of our clients throughout all our API enabled merchandise use the Group web page to put up questions and solutions and share their successes and classes realized.
Focused on utilizing PowerAutomate to construct your individual low-code resolution? Blackbaud Grantmaking helps the Blackbaud SKY Add-ins Licensed Energy Connecter.
We will in fact additionally help you instantly by means of Blackbaud Assist. Our Assist group may help you with bugs or different suspected points with the SKY Developer instruments. Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that Assist doesn’t troubleshoot code, present coaching, or provide code samples. On the similar time, our Skilled Providers group can instantly assist seek the advice of on an integration you’re making an attempt to develop or construct an integration for you outright. Let your Buyer Service Supervisor or Account Govt know for those who’d be interested by us working with you on this.
So, what’s subsequent?
Go forth and conquer! Learn the documentation obtainable and brainstorm what integrations and connections can be most useful to your group and processes. You’ll want to look by means of the Group for inspiration and to see what others are doing and what they’ve realized alongside the best way. It’s also possible to use the Concept Financial institution inside Group to recommend pre-built integrations—after which encourage different clients to vote for it.
Lastly, create your developer account and craft a easy connection that may assist you see or share knowledge that you just’ve at all times wished you may. When you get the hold of it, you’ll be grateful you began, and your solely query for Blackbaud will probably be “when can I get extra endpoints?” to make much more issues potential.
Need to hear extra about what’s subsequent for SKY APIs and the innovation coming to Blackbaud Grantmaking? Be a part of us for our subsequent Product Replace Briefing to see how we’re creating even tighter connections to avoid wasting you time and assist you drive extra affect.