A household is a record that groups contacts who belong together. It sits in your contacts list alongside the individuals, and the individuals keep their own records — their own giving history, their own badges, their own activities.
People in a household can carry their own badges — volunteer, participant, board member, whatever you use — while staying attached to the household. So a report of volunteers pulls the right individuals, and a mailing list pulls the household.
The two failure modes households prevent are both expensive:
What is a household in DonorDock?
A record that groups related contacts — typically a married couple or a family — while each person keeps their own individual contact record and giving history.
Should I use a household or merge the two contacts?
Use a household when they are two different people who share an address. Merge only when you have two records for the same person.
Do individuals keep their own giving history in a household?
Yes. Each contact keeps their own record, gifts, activities, and badges.
Can I create households during an import?
Yes. Households can be created as part of the import process, which is usually easier than building them one at a time.
Can family members who do not donate be in a household?
Yes, and it is a recommended use — for example children who volunteer but do not give. They can carry a volunteer badge while remaining part of the household.
Will a household cause duplicate mailings?
No. That is what households are for — addressing one piece of mail to the household rather than one to each person at the same address.
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