NPCA Affiliate Support

FatLab is contracted to provide essential technical support for NPCA Affiliate websites, which includes maintaining website functionality, fixing bugs, ensuring security, performing software updates, and assisting with content management tasks. We also provide guidance through tutorials and resources.

Support inquiries for affiliate websites should be sent to [email protected].

FatLab is a technical implementation partner for NPCA and can only address technical inquiries related to affiliate WordPress websites. This includes support for website functionality, updates, and security. However, any concerns related to the migration from the old system to Blackbaud / Raiser's Edge, such as membership-related issues (lists, directory, etc.), job postings, donations, e-commerce, email tools, and similar features, fall outside of our scope. For these matters, please contact the national organization directly.

Any requests for custom features, extensive design changes, or additional functionality outside the standard website template are currently not within our scope of work.

While we do not offer personalized one-on-one support, we are eager to assist with any technical questions and will enhance our online support materials as new queries emerge.

No. Personal planning meetings or calls with affiliates aren't within the scope of our current NPCA Affiliate Support. Please contact the national organization for approval for additional consultation time and then we'd be happy to schedule a call. Otherwise, we're here to clarify anything via email and provide any necessary guidance on your WordPress website.

While we do not offer personalized one-on-one support, we are eager to assist with any technical questions and will enhance our online support materials as new queries emerge.

No. While we do not offer personalized one-on-one phone support as part of our current NPCA Affiliate Support, we are happy to assist with any technical questions via email. Support inquiries for affiliate websites should be sent to [email protected].

For additional guidance, we regularly update our online support materials as new questions arise. If further assistance is required, please contact the national organization for approval to schedule a call.

Like the national website, affiliate sites were transferred to WordPress in late 2023 / early 2024. The NPCA Affiliate sites run a custom theme built specifically for NPCA with a set of custom content controls and features.

We will update this page with instructional videos as we roll out the new websites. These videos will cover how to control the various kinds of content and other features of the website. View available tutorial videos below.

Yes. Once the site goes live we will create an account for you to sign into and control the content of the site. You will also have the ability to add and remove other editorial users to your website. View available tutorial videos below.

General Donation Page

As of May 2024, the national organization has provided the affiliate websites with a universal donation URL where donors can choose which affiliate is to receive the funds. This is the only donation URL we have at this time, and we have been asked to launch all sites with this general donation method.

Custom Donation Pages

We understand that some affiliates have applied for custom gateways, donation URLs, and campaigns. We have not been provided with those URLs at this time. When those become available we can update your website with the relative links.

Please direct all questions regarding the status of these services, training, or account management to NPCA.

Third-Party Services

If you are using a third party service such as Stripe or PayPal to collect donations, the website will allow you to easily add a URL or donate button or form (via embed code provided by the third party).

With Stripe and some account types of PayPal we can provide you with a simple donations form that allows one time and recurring donations. Please contact us for support on this.

The affiliate's sites do not provide a built-in e-commerce solution. Many affiliates use third-party services to sell merchandise.

This will not be a function of the website, but rather, we understand it to be a function of the Blackbaud CRM system. We do not have any further information on this. Please contact the national organization for questions regarding such features and capabilities.

This will not be a direct function of the website, but instead, we understand it to be a function of the Blackbaud CRM system. We do not have any further information on this. Please contact the national organization for questions regarding such features and capabilities.

Affiliates cannot directly install their own plugins. However, if an affiliate wishes to install a plugin outside of the standard NPCA affiliate group of plugins, they can contact us at [email protected] to request plugin installation.

Plugin Installation Requirements:

• One-Time Installation Fee: Installing any custom plugin requires a one-time non-refundable fee of $75, which the affiliate must pay.
• Compatibility Evaluation: Our team will evaluate the plugin to ensure it is compatible with the NPCA WordPress theme and the current collection of plugins. We will only move forward with the installation if the plugin is found to be compatible.
• License Responsibility: If the plugin requires a license, it is the affiliate's responsibility to purchase, maintain, and renew any necessary licenses.

Additionally, technical support for custom plugins is not covered under the master agreement with NPCA. Any support required due to the use of a custom plugin will be subject to separate terms and costs, which will be negotiated directly with the affiliate organization.

No, that is not possible at this time, as we try to maintain a universal style and branding across all affiliate sites. However, there are certain personalized touches that can be made, such as logo and brand colors seen throughout the site. Of course, the content is 100% yours.

We cannot give you direct server access at this time. This is to preserve the universal platform of the affiliate sites.

We will do our best to help you make a smooth migration. However, only the account holder (usually the domain owner) can change DNS records. You must gain access to this account as we cannot do this for you.

Once you have confirmed access to your DNS records, we will provide detailed instructions, and if you like, you can schedule a 15-minute screen share with our team to help you make the changes.

We cannot contact your domain registrar or DNS record manager on your behalf or make the record changes without direct account access.

Taking Your Website Live

If you have a custom domain, you must make DNS record changes. DNS records are typically held with the domain registrar (where the domain was purchased). Someone with administrative privileges to the domain will need to make the following changes to their records:

Step 1

Email [email protected] notifying us of your intention to change your DNS records. Please provide your affiliate name and the custom domain you wish to use. Please wait for our confirmation before moving onto step 2.

Step 2

All instructions are for the base/apex domain and are in {host} -> {value} format.

We use Cloudflare Enterprise as our Firewall and CDN. Please update your DNS records as specified below to direct your site's traffic through Cloudflare, ensuring enhanced security and performance.

A Records

@ -> 162.159.137.54
@ -> 162.159.136.54

CNAME Records
www -> secure.cloudways.cloud

Please ensure these are the only A and CNAME records for @ and www.

TXT Record

Some domains require us to create an additional text record to verify domain ownership. We will notify you if this is the case, as each TXT record is unique.

Gaining Administrative Access

Once your website is live, we will provide you with editorial access to the website so you can control content and other built-in functions of the site.

As an editorial user, you can add, remove, and manage other editorial users on the site.

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🚀 Scenario 1: No Existing SPF Record

If your domain doesn't have an SPF record yet, you'll need to add a new TXT record in your DNS settings.

Use these details:

Type: TXT
Name / Host: @ (or leave blank, depending on your DNS provider)
Value:
v=spf1 include:outboundmail.blackbaud.net ~all

✅ This authorizes Blackbaud to send emails on behalf of your domain.

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🛠 Scenario 2: You Already Have an SPF Record

If your domain already has an SPF record, it might look like:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
or
v=spf1 ip4:192.0.2.10 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all

In this case, do not create a new record. Instead, edit the existing record to include Blackbaud.

For example:

Before:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

After:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:outboundmail.blackbaud.net ~all

✅ Make sure include:outboundmail.blackbaud.net appears before the ~all or -all.

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⚠ Only One SPF Record Allowed

You can have only one SPF TXT record per domain. Having multiple SPF records will break SPF validation and may cause email delivery issues.

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🔍 How to Check Your SPF Record

Use these tools to verify your SPF record is valid and includes Blackbaud:

• MXToolbox SPF Checker
• Kitterman SPF Validator
• Or paste it into ChatGPT for a quick format review.

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📝 Quick Summary

• ✅ Only one SPF record per domain
• ✅ If you don't have one, create:
  v=spf1 include:outboundmail.blackbaud.net ~all
• ✅ If you already have an SPF record, add include:outboundmail.blackbaud.net to it
• ✅ Always test your record.

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🤝 Need Technical Help?

We're offering a one-time DNS consultation for affiliates who need assistance implementing these records. Schedule your consultation here. You must have access to your DNS records to participate.

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🎥 Video Tutorial:

Watch our step-by-step video walkthrough above, or find it in the tutorial section below.

What is DKIM?

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that adds a digital signature to your emails. This helps receiving email servers verify that the email actually came from your domain and hasn't been tampered with in transit.

Important Information:

• Each DKIM key is unique: Every NPCA affiliate organization needs their own specific DKIM key value
• Contact NPCA National: You must contact the national organization to receive your unique DKIM key
• All questions about Blackbaud itself must be directed to the NPCA national organization
• FatLab does not have access to generate or retrieve DKIM keys

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📝 How to Add Your DKIM Record

Once you have received your unique DKIM key from NPCA national, add it to your DNS settings as a TXT record:

Type: TXT
Name / Host: sm._domainkey
Value: [Your unique DKIM key provided by NPCA]

The DKIM key will be a long string that starts with something like:
v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=...

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🔍 How to Verify Your DKIM Record

After adding your DKIM record, you can verify it's working correctly using these tools:

• MXToolbox DKIM Checker
• Enter your domain and selector: sm

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✅ Complete Email Authentication

For best email deliverability, make sure you have both:

• SPF Record: Authorizes Blackbaud's servers to send email on your behalf
• DKIM Record: Adds a digital signature to verify email authenticity

Together, these records significantly improve your email deliverability and help prevent your emails from being marked as spam.

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🆘 Need Help?

For your unique DKIM key: Contact NPCA national organization
For DNS technical questions: Contact your domain registrar or DNS provider
For Blackbaud questions: Contact NPCA national organization

One-Time DNS Consultation Available

We understand that updating DNS records can be technical and challenging. To help NPCA affiliates successfully implement their SPF and DKIM records for Blackbaud email, we're offering a one-time DNS consultation service.

What's Included:

• 15-30 minute screen share session
• Step-by-step guidance through adding your SPF record
• Assistance with adding your DKIM record (once you have your unique key from NPCA)
• Help navigating your specific DNS provider's interface
• Verification that records are properly configured

Before Scheduling:

You must have:

• ✅ Administrative access to your DNS records (usually through your domain registrar)
• ✅ Your login credentials ready
• ✅ Your unique DKIM key from NPCA national

Schedule Your Consultation:

→ Click here to schedule your DNS consultation

Important Notes:

• This is a one-time service per affiliate
• We cannot make DNS changes without your direct access
• We cannot contact your domain registrar on your behalf
• The consultation is specifically for SPF and DKIM record implementation