Tessitura Mapping Preferences

Before BetterUnite can send donors and donations to Tessitura, you must configure your Tessitura Mapping Preferences. This page tells BetterUnite how data collected online should be translated into Tessitura fields, ensuring records are created accurately and consistently.

This setup is required before any donor or donation data can be transferred.

The values displayed in the Mapping Preferences page are retrieved directly from your Tessitura environment to ensure the transferred records adhere to your specific needs.

Required Security Permissions

To populate these mapping options from your Tessitura environment, the integration user must be able to read specific reference data in Tessitura. This requires granting the user read-only access to the following record types:

ReferenceData/AddressTypes - View

ReferenceData/ConstituentTypes - View

ReferenceData/OriginalSources - View

Finance/Appeals - View

TXN/ModesOfSale - View

Finance/Sources - View

TXN/PaymentMethods - View

ReferenceData/BatchTypes – View

Why Mapping Preferences Matter

BetterUnite and Tessitura use different terminology and structures for things like:

Addresses
Constituent types
Payment methods
Batches, sources, and appeals

Mapping preferences ensure:

Donations land in the correct Tessitura batch
Constituents are created with the correct type
Payments are classified correctly
Reporting and auditing remain accurate in Tessitura

Address Types

This section controls how donor addresses from BetterUnite map to Tessitura address types.

Available Mappings

Home → Select the Tessitura address type used for personal/home addresses
Work → Select the Tessitura address type used for business addresses
Other → Used for alternate or shipping addresses
Default → Used when no address type is specified

Example

If a donor enters a home address while giving online, BetterUnite will create or update a Home Address record in Tessitura based on this mapping.

Constituent Types

This section defines how BetterUnite donors are classified in Tessitura.

Common Mappings

Individual → Individual
Company → Corporation
Foundation → Foundation

These mappings determine the Tessitura constituent type assigned when new records are created.

💡 Tip: Make sure these match the constituent types your organization uses for reporting and segmentation in Tessitura.

Payment Methods

This section controls how BetterUnite payment methods map to Tessitura payment types.

Examples

Credit Card / Credit Card Online
Typically mapped to Out of Tessitura Net Payment
ACH
Usually mapped to Out of Tessitura Net Payment
Cash → Cash
Check → Check
PayPal → Out of Tessitura Net Payment
Wire Transfer → Constituent Transfer
In-kind → InKind

These settings ensure donations appear correctly in Tessitura’s financial records and reports.

Misc Settings

This section controls default values applied to donations when they are created in Tessitura.

Default Original Source

Identifies where the transaction originated (e.g., Events, Online Giving, Web).

Default Batch Type

Determines which type of batch donations are added to, such as:

Contribution Uncontrolled
Contribution Controlled

Default Promotion / Appeal

Specifies the Tessitura appeal or promotion to associate with incoming donations.

Default Mode of Sale

Commonly set to Web, indicating the transaction occurred online.

Default Payment Source

Identifies the Tessitura payment source tied to BetterUnite (often a named BetterUnite payment source).

Saving Your Settings

Once all mappings are configured:

Review each section carefully
Click Save
The integration will now be ready to transfer donors and donations

You can return to this page at any time to make updates if your Tessitura configuration changes.

Common Questions

❓ Do these settings affect existing Tessitura data?

No. These mappings apply only to new or updated data sent from BetterUnite.

❓ Can different campaigns use different appeals?

Yes. Defaults are used when no campaign-specific value is provided. BetterUnite can override defaults when configured.

❓ What happens if mappings are incorrect?

Incorrect mappings may result in:

Donations appearing in the wrong batch
Incorrect payment classification
Reporting issues in Tessitura

Always review with your Tessitura administrator if unsure.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure which Tessitura values to select:

Consult your Tessitura administrator
Review your organization’s Tessitura configuration
Contact BetterUnite Support for guidance

✅ Once mapping preferences are saved, your BetterUnite account is fully prepared to begin synchronizing donor and donation data with Tessitura.