Set Up the Blackbaud Agent for Microsoft 365 Copilot

Setup for the Blackbaud Agent is simple, but it requires a few steps to ensure a secure and successful connection. To use the Blackbaud Agent, an admin enables the integration on both the Blackbaud and Microsoft 365 sides, and Raiser's Edge NXT users authorize their accounts.

Prerequisites

  • Active Raiser's Edge NXT instance – You must have an active Raiser's Edge NXT instance with Blackbaud ID login. Personal Blackbaud accounts or sandbox environments without proper access are not supported.

  • Microsoft 365 Copilot license – You need Microsoft 365 Copilot enabled for your organization, with the users who will use the Blackbaud Agent licensed for Copilot. The agent does not work without Microsoft 365 Copilot. Ensure your Microsoft 365 administrator can deploy agents and integrated apps.

    Tip: For customers who don't yet have Microsoft 365 Copilot, contact your Microsoft account team to learn more about getting started, then return to set up the Blackbaud Agent.

Blackbaud Marketplace Admin Setup

Your Marketplace admin needs to connect the Blackbaud Agent application in the Blackbaud Marketplace. This registers the integration and sets up the necessary API permissions.

  1. Navigate to the Blackbaud Agent listing in the Blackbaud Marketplace.

  2. Connect it to your Blackbaud environment.

  3. Approve scopes during installation for access to constituent, gift, and event data.

Tip: Your Marketplace admin needs to connect the app. Learn more about permissions to connect applications.

Microsoft 365 Administrator Setup

  1. In the Microsoft 365 admin center, go to the Microsoft 365 Copilot or Integrated apps area.

  2. Search for and select the Blackbaud Agent.

  3. Review the requested permissions and the publisher's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

  4. Deploy the agent to your organization (or to selected users and groups).

  5. Confirm authorization to enable the integration.

Once complete, the Blackbaud Agent is available to the users and groups you deployed it to.

Raiser's Edge NXT Users Setup

After admin setup is complete, each user who wants to use the Blackbaud Agent must complete these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft 365 Copilot (in Microsoft 365 Chat, Teams, or another supported surface).

  2. Open the agents or apps panel and select Blackbaud Agent.

  3. Choose Connect or Sign in when prompted.

  4. Sign in with your Blackbaud ID and grant permission for Copilot to access your data. This uses OAuth 2.0, so Copilot accesses data securely without storing your password.

  5. Your Blackbaud account shows as Linked once authorization is complete.

You can now use Copilot to query your Raiser's Edge NXT data.

Troubleshooting

Agent not visible in Copilot – Confirm that your Microsoft 365 administrator deployed the Blackbaud Agent to your organization or to your user group. The agent must be deployed by an admin before users can connect.

Can't access Blackbaud data while authenticated – Make sure your organization admin selected Allow generative AI to access your data through external connectors on the Manage Blackbaud AI modal when they opted in to generative AI features.

OAuth login fails – Verify with your Marketplace admin that the Blackbaud Marketplace app is connected. Ensure you are signing in with the same Blackbaud ID used for Raiser's Edge NXT.

Tip: Personal Blackbaud ID profiles are not supported.