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How BetterUnite Syncs Donations and Donors to Tessitura

When a donation is synchronized from BetterUnite to Tessitura, BetterUnite follows a clear, consistent process to determine which donor record to use, what data is sent, and how the donation is recorded in Tessitura.

This article explains exactly what happens during a donation sync so you know what to expect.

When a Donation Is Eligible to Sync

A donation will sync to Tessitura when:

  • Tessitura integration is enabled

  • Mapping Preferences are completed

  • The donation is not marked as “Do Not Sync”

  • The donation has a valid donor/contact record

If a donation is explicitly excluded from syncing, it will not be sent to Tessitura.

How BetterUnite Determines the Donor (Constituent)

Step 1: Check for an Existing Tessitura ID

If the donor already has a Tessitura ID stored in BetterUnite:

  • BetterUnite retrieves that constituent from Tessitura

  • The constituent record may be updated with the latest name, email, and address information

Step 2: Search Tessitura by Email (If No Tessitura ID Exists)

If the donor does not already have a Tessitura ID:

  1. BetterUnite searches Tessitura using the donor’s email address

    • Priority is given to the payer email (if available)

    • Otherwise, the contact’s primary email is used

  2. If a matching constituent is found:

    • That constituent is linked to the donation

    • The Tessitura ID is saved to the contact in BetterUnite

Step 3: Create a New Constituent (If No Match Is Found)

If no existing Tessitura constituent is found, BetterUnite creates a new constituent with the following information:

Donor Data Sent to Tessitura

  • First Name

  • Last Name

  • Email Address

  • Constituent Type
    (based on your Tessitura Mapping Preferences: Individual, Corporation, Foundation, etc.)

  • Address (if available):

    • Street 1

    • Street 2

    • City

    • State

    • Postal Code

    • Address Type (mapped from BetterUnite to Tessitura)

Once created, the new Tessitura constituent ID is saved back to the donor in BetterUnite.

What Donor Data Is Updated in Tessitura

If a constituent already exists in Tessitura, BetterUnite may update:

  • First Name

  • Last Name

  • Email Address

  • Constituent Type

  • Address and Address Type (when provided)

BetterUnite does not overwrite unrelated Tessitura data—only the fields relevant to online giving.

What Donation Data Is Sent to Tessitura

Once the donor/constituent is confirmed, BetterUnite creates a donation (contribution) in Tessitura with the following details:

Core Donation Information

  • Donation Amount
    The full gross amount paid by the donor

  • Fund
    Determined by your BetterUnite–Tessitura fund mapping

  • Batch
    Based on your default batch configuration

  • Appeal / Promotion
    Based on your mapping preferences

  • Mode of Sale
    Typically set to Web

  • Source
    Identifies BetterUnite as the origin of the donation

Payment Method Mapping

The Tessitura payment method is determined by your mapping preferences, for example:

  • Credit Card → Out of Tessitura Net Payment

  • ACH → Out of Tessitura Net Payment

  • Cash → Cash

  • Check → Check

  • In-Kind → InKind

  • Wire Transfer → Constituent Transfer

This ensures financial reporting in Tessitura remains accurate.

Donation Description & Notes

Each donation includes a detailed description in Tessitura that may contain:

  • A reference to the BetterUnite donation ID

  • Purchased items or gifts (if applicable)

  • Net donation amount

  • Processing fee details (when available)

  • Platform fee details

  • Donor note (truncated to fit Tessitura’s limits)

This provides transparency and auditability inside Tessitura.

How the Donation Is Created in Tessitura

Behind the scenes, BetterUnite:

  1. Creates a Tessitura session

  2. Assigns the constituent to the session

  3. Adds the contribution line item

  4. Completes checkout using the mapped payment method

  5. Stores the Tessitura contribution ID back in BetterUnite

Once complete, the donation is marked as Successfully Synced.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong

If BetterUnite cannot:

  • Find the Tessitura constituent

  • Create or update the constituent

  • Complete the donation checkout

The donation will be marked as Sync Error, and:

  • A detailed error message is saved

  • Possible matching Tessitura records may be suggested

  • The donation can be retried once the issue is resolved

What Is Not Synced

BetterUnite does not sync:

  • Platform-only internal metadata

  • Non-donation engagement activity

  • Data unrelated to giving or constituents

Only relevant donor and donation data is transferred.

If you need help reviewing mappings or resolving sync errors, contact BetterUnite Support or consult your Tessitura administrator.