FAQ

About thedatabank, gbc & Databank software

Is it thedatabank or the Databank?


thedatabank is the name of our company, and the Databank is the name of our software.

What makes thedatabank, gbc different?

thedatabank, gbc is a company with a mission to provide technology and expertise to make the world safe, sustainable and just. We’re in it for the long haul, both as a company and as a partner to the organizations we work with. We’ve been creating social change through technology since 1998, and we only work with clients whose missions we believe in.

What does the 'gbc' in thedatabank, gbc stand for?

On January 2nd, 2015 thedatabank, inc reincorporated as a general benefit corporation. thedatabank, inc is now thedatabank, gbc. As a general benefit corporation, thedatabank is in a new class of corporation that has a socially-minded focus and voluntarily meets higher standards of corporate purpose, accountability, and transparency. thedatabank is also a certified B Corp through the B-Labs assessment process and is currently one of just two businesses in Minnesota that had both B-Labs certification and public (general) benefit corporation status. Learn more.

I’m not very tech-savvy, will the Databank be difficult for me to learn how to use?

You’ve come to the right place. Not only is our software intuitive to use, we also offer free ongoing webinar-based training or more customized private sessions. Our Support Center is devoted to articles and videos to help answer your questions. And our support, included with your Databank, has a client satisfaction rating of 99.5%.

Is it secure?

Your data is safer with thedatabank than it is at your office. All data transmitted over the internet is encrypted using 128-bit SSL technology. It’s protected by a password and maintained in a state-of-the-art data center, mirrored on multiple drives, and backed up on tape every day. You retain ownership of the data – we will never sell or exchange it.

Does the Databank handle online payments?

Yes, we can help clients set up an e-commerce, internet fundraising, online event registration, and other credit card transactions. We work with a third party, called a Payment Gateway, to facilitate the credit card processing. thedatabank does not charge a fee for online credit card transactions, but your Payment Gateway and/or merchant account is likely to charge a fee.

  • The Payment Gateway authorizes the credit card charges in a matter of seconds, and transmits the funds directly to the client’s bank account.
  • A confirmation number and transaction information (such as donor name, contact info, donation amount) are automatically added to your Databank.
  • You have the opportunity to review all new transactions before they are posted into the Databank.
  • Potential duplicates are flagged for merge.

For more information, see our Payment Gateway chart.

What is thedatabank’s policy on spam?

At thedatabank, we take our reputation as an email service provider very seriously. thedatabank regularly scans over 100 different blacklists to be sure our servers are not listed as senders of spam. We aggressively follow up on any spam complaints with clients and ISPs. Most importantly, we prevent spam from being sent through our systems, both by having a no-tolerance spam policy for clients and by providing tools to keep our clients in compliance with the CAN-SPAM law. Read the policy

Switching to the Databank

How long does it take to set up my Databank?

Setup times vary, but typically it takes a minimum of 6 weeks to set up your Databank, customize it, and complete data migration and training.

Will it work on my computer?

The Databank is a web-based relationship management database that works on any computer, browser, or operating system – Windows, Mac, IE, Firefox, Safari, Mozilla, Opera, you name it. Access your Databank from anywhere over the internet with your email address and password.

Can I import my data?

When you convert to the Databank, we move your existing data into your Databank. You don’t need to be a technical expert, just send us your file. Batch entry, file import, and duplicate processing will save you time and effort.

How do I choose a payment gateway provider?

The Databank integrates with the following payment gateways: IATS, Authorize.net, and PayPal.

Whichever service you choose to work with may depend on the volume of transactions, and whether your organization already has its own merchant account. An account representative can help you by discussing the differences between the various services with you. Learn more about our payment gateway partners.

Will the Databank interface with our other software?

The Databank is a nearly comprehensive system designed to eliminate isolated islands of data. If you do need to share data, you can import and export text files. Text files are compatible with most other software, including popular accounting software. thedatabank also has an API that is accessible. Learn more about the Databank API.

Is training available?

We provide personalized initial training for clients. Monthly live group webinar training is available throughout the month to all clients at no additional charge. Unlimited technical support is available by phone and email, and user guides are built into the software. We also have a series of online tutorials, which can be played on demand and were designed to supplement our live training.

Don’t see your answer here? Contact us at 1-877-603-0296 (toll free) or 612-455-2255 or email info@thedatabank.com.