Frequently Asked Questions
What is ARK?
ARK stands for Associated Relationship Keeper and is the customer relationship management (CRM) database for The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.
What is a CRM?
A CRM system is a database that contains information on all facets of our Associated constituents. Constituents can be annual donors, event attendees, committee members, and more. We use ARK to manage our marketing, development, event, and committee functions in order to maintain a single source of organized and accurate data. We use this data to track progress and set goals for meeting the needs of Baltimore’s Jewish community.
Why does ARK have so many other names?
You may occasionally hear the database being referred to as ARK, Blackbaud, or FR-100.
ARK (Associated Relationship Keeper) is the official name of our database that is supported by Blackbaud, a software company specializing in software, services, expertise, and data intelligence for nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, and individual change agents. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.
Before switching to Blackbaud’s CRM platform in 2013, the Associated had a database called FR-100, a product of Sage. Constituents had different IDs than the ones used in ARK, so these old FR-100 IDs are kept as alternate lookup IDs in constituents’ accounts.
Who is able to access ARK?
All Associated staff have access to ARK, as well as select lay leaders. When beginning employment at the Associated, an ARK username and password will be created and within the first few days, ARK training will be scheduled.
Does ARK have to be installed on my computer?
Nope! The database is web-based so there is nothing to be installed on your computer. ARK is accessible from anywhere with a proper ARK username and password.
I don’t know how to __________!
If you find yourself at a loss how to navigate to a certain area of ARK or if you need a training refresher, please navigate to the various pages of this site for how-to documentation, tutorials, tips, and tricks.
If you’re not able to find what you’re searching for in these resources, please contact Tracy Steele, tsteele@associated.org, to schedule training.
I have a question.
To contact the Donor Center, email us at database@associated.org.
To submit a ticket for a request, visit our Help Desk.