--- title: "Datasets Overview" slug: "datasets-overview" updated: 2026-03-11T23:49:36Z published: 2026-03-11T23:49:36Z --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Datasets Overview [Embedded content](https://player.vimeo.com/video/778614106) ## What is a dataset? You are likely familiar with the [person record](/v1/docs/getting-started-with-records), which stores person-scoped data like name, birthdate, contact information, etc. The **person dataset**is the collection of all person records in your database. There are other datasets in your database that collect other kinds of information. The records in a dataset: - 📊 Have an overview dashboard and a timeline of interactions - 🔎 Can be queried and reported on - 📂 Can store materials - 👩‍👦 Can have parent/child relationships with other datasets All of the above functions make datasets powerful tools for data collection. ## The standard datasets Go to **Records.**The datasets in your database appear in a list. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Datasets.png) Different database types include different standard datasets: Admissions 🪪Student Success 🎓Advancement 🤝 #### Person The [Person dataset](/v1/docs/getting-started-with-records) stores person-scoped information. #### Application The [Application dataset](/v1/docs/application-building-checklist) collects application records. #### Organizations and Organization Contacts The Organizations dataset is pre-populated with the approximately 50,000 organizations identified by the College Board with a CEEB Code. The [Organization Contacts dataset](/v1/docs/organization-contacts-dataset-overview) represent the contacts at the schools with whom you communicate. #### Person The [Person dataset](/v1/docs/getting-started-with-records) stores person-scoped information. #### Application The [Application dataset](/v1/docs/application-building-checklist) stores application records. #### Enrollment The Enrollment dataset stores enrollment-scoped information—that is, information about a student’s progress at your institution. > [!WARNING] > 🚧 Enrollments are currently in development. #### Organizations and Organization Contacts The Organizations dataset is pre-populated with the approximately 50,000 organizations identified by the College Board with a CEEB Code. The [Organization Contacts dataset](/v1/docs/organization-contacts-dataset-overview) represent the contacts at the schools with whom you communicate. #### Person The [Person dataset](/v1/docs/donor-alum-record) stores person-scoped information, including a record of a donor’s giving. #### Application The [Application dataset](/v1/docs/application-building-checklist) stores application records. While this dataset is included in Advancement databases, it is not applicable and can be ignored. #### Appeals The records in the [Appeals dataset](/v1/docs/store-appeal-data-in-a-dataset) represent specific outreach efforts to solicit gifts. #### Campaigns The records in the [Campaigns dataset](/v1/docs/the-campaigns-dataset) represent your broad fundraising initiatives or goals. #### Class Years The records in the [Class Years dataset](/v1/docs/the-class-years-dataset) represent alumni classes, and include data like total alumni, fiscal year giving, total class giving, and current pledges #### Companies and Foundations The records in the [Companies and Foundations dataset](/v1/docs/companies-and-foundations-record) represent employers and non-human entities that have the capacity to give. #### Educational Institutions The records in the [Educational Institutions dataset](/v1/docs/the-educational-institutions-dataset) represent schools and universities. #### Funds The records in the [Funds dataset](/v1/docs/funds-dataset) represent funds, and include data like accounting information, restrictions, and fund contacts. Funds can be linked to individual gifts. #### Named Spaces The records in the [Named Spaces dataset](/v1/docs/the-named-spaces-dataset) represent donor-named areas. #### Performance Management The records in the [Performance Management dataset](/v1/docs/the-performance-management-dataset) represent staff user accounts and their respective person record assignments. ## Parent and child datasets Datasets can have [**parent/child relationships**](/v1/docs/creating-a-child-dataset)**.** In the same way that an application records lives on a person record, Organization Contacts records require an associated Organization record to exist. ## Custom datasets Like person records, **custom datasets**can contain [custom fields](/v1/docs/custom-fields), addresses, devices, and relationships. While the standard datasets in Slate are related to schools, custom datasets can keep track of volunteer records, churches, alumni interviewers, community-based organizations, and more. ![Dataset_Example.png](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/9975854656795.png) If there is a need for a type of record that is not an applicant, person, or organization, creating a custom dataset may fit the bill. > [!CAUTION] > 🔔 Important! > > The creation and maintenance of custom datasets are time consuming processes. Upon creation, they contain almost no features or functionality. Creating a custom dataset is a **long-term project** that should only be attempted with ample planning time. Custom datasets can represent institutions and individuals that: - have **many data points** which need to be stored, queried and reported on, - exist **independently** of person records, or - exist **outside the normal scope** of person records. #### Not sure whether a custom dataset is right for your process? Check out our [Custom Datasets article](/v1/docs/custom-datasets-overview), attend a [Community Conversation](/v1/docs/community-conversations) to bounce your ideas off Technolutions staff, or explore the Record Management section of our [Community Forums](/v1/docs/) for inspiration from fellow Slate users and dataset aficionados. 📖 [Read more about custom datasets](/v1/docs/custom-datasets)