It's alarming that an issue first raised in 2015 remains unresolved in 2023. In today's digital age, eTapestry should empower their customers to allow users to choose which communications they receive, whether that's newsletters, event invites, or other updates. The sheer volume of support for this enhancement speaks volumes. Blackbaud, the eTapestry community's call for this change is clear and pressing. I hope they will reconsider the "no plans to change at this time" flag.

We are losing contact with a lot of our subscribers/members/donors because they think they are opting out of a particular type of email, and they end up unknowingly opting out of all emails.

If Etap isn't planning on addressing this issue, some sort of workaround without having to use a third party email provider would be greatly appreciated! :)

Four and a half years later I am dismayed that this has not yet been addressed! Look at the number of votes. Consider the changing landscape of communications. It is critical that eTapestry users be able to ask their constituents what they do and do not want to see in their inboxes. This can be done while being in compliance with new consent legislation. Newsletters, event invitations, solicitations and more. Let the constituent decide. It's time for Blackbaud to listen to its eTapestry community on this issue.

Totally agree with all the comments on this post. Received an answer from a Blackbaud support rep today that "opt out functionality cannot be editable due to laws in some countries that require the option to be opted out transparent and all encompassing." However, as far as I can tell, giving the option to "manage your preferences OR unsubscribe from all," instead of only providing the option of complete opt-out, is compliant with GDPR and other regulations:  https://litmus.com/blog/5-things-you-must-know-about-email-consent-under-gdpr

The suggestion from Blackbaud to use a third-party email system may suit some eTapestry users, but I don't find it a satisfactory solution. A non-profit of our size requires an easy one-stop solution, and without the significant added costs of MailChimp or other third-party solutions. It's frustrating that the development response is that there are no plans to address this, even though many hundreds of eTapestry users have asked for it. I hope this will be reconsidered.

This would be a huge help.  We have to manually email volunteer schedules to over 200 active volunteers because  some volunteers because of this problem.  

Having just started configuring ETapestry for a charity, following on from their GDPR I have noted the opt out issue as being a potential problem.  Is there a work around by using tick boxes for different elements eg newsletter, events, fundraising etc and selecting your mailing list from one of the sub options rather than a generic "mailing" yes" / "no"?

Does need something more user friendly to support GDPR.

Yes please, this would be most helpful!!!!

This is a HUGE problem for us as well. Our members want to receive emails about specific events within their area rather all the different events we have going on. I can see this suggestion was made two years ago! Come on eTap :-) 

This is essential in Europe now that GDPR comes into force

Additionally, when donors opt-out of publications they are thus opted out of receiving ereceipts.

With changes through GDPR, what we want are opt-ins for certain mailing lists, to try and keep people engaged with what they are interested in.  Might be best to open another chain on the idea strand for this one, as things are changing to meet the new data protection requirements in EU.

Please consider seriously incorporating this change. It would make eTapestry email function much more useful.

A possible solution is to look at third-party email marketing software like Constant Contact or MailChimp (or another provider like AWeber, Emma, ActiveCampaign, and others).  Most of these providers offer the option to select email preferences as a standard feature like your request states.

There are also some options for integrating email marketing software with eTapestry. 

• Blackbaud eTapestry has an integration with Constant Contact included
• We offer a third-party add-on for eTapestry MailChimp integration

If you want to take a look at MailChimp integration with eTapestry, here are some resources.

• We are hosting a free demo of eTapestry MailChimp integration on 2/3/2017 at 12:30pm ET.  Sign up here.
• If you miss the demo, you can watch the recorded version on our website here.
• You can also read more about email marketing integration with eTapestry on our blog here.

YES, many of our constituents do not want the event emails but do want the research updates but we have to explain it is an all or nothing proposition.  They are usually very unhappy.

I would add to this great idea, that it would be nice to add a field for why they opted out.

is it time for a rethink yet? ..considering the changes about to be made to the law in this regard

YES! This would be a great help!

Yes, this needs to be addressed ASAP. You've designed Etap to track different segments, but you won't allow for specific opt-outs on emails?! We have volunteers that subscribe to a volunteer news and donors that subscribe to the volunteer news and general newsletter - if the donor decides that don't want the volunteer news - they opt -out and we don't send the newsletter with its response card. This is COSTING us money. Please fix!

YES!!! This is a HUGE problem for us. Blackbaud has this ability on their own emails, so why can't that same technology be used in their own products?