In this sample we explore the possibilities of creating donations and other payments via the NetCommunity API, by building our own custom giving form. Donations collected through the API become standard donation transactions that get delivered to The Raiser's Edge or Blackbaud eCRM just as if they were captured with the built in BBNC donation form part. This means you can focus on presenting a unique giving experience, yet get all of the built in back office donation integration for free.
Our simple sample demonstrates some key features of the API including:
- How to record a donation
- Using gift attributes, including how to get all gift attribute types from RE7
- Selecting a Raiser's Edge Appeal using the CFAPicker Server Control
- Clearing a Credit Card
- Designing and sending a custom email acknowledgement that uses custom merge fields, using the EmailEditor Server Control
- Using jQuery scripts and images from embedded resources
The use of custom donation forms isn't limited to gifts, of course. You can also use the principles presented here to build an online shopping, gift giving, or tribute experience. What's more, the API examples here are not limited to Custom Parts either, using Custom Handlers, you can create donations and generate gift records from any external source that simply requests your custom handler's URL. Wicked.
We hope you find this code a helpful reference as you explore the possibilities.