About
Who We Are And Why It Matters
We’re a boutique data technology firm that prides itself in delivering hard-to-find information to help Higher Education Advancement, Career Services and Institutional Research to identify and engage constituents. It matters because relationships matter. BRD renewal rates are at 100% in 2021, far exceeding the industry average. We have the honor of serving clients such as Yale, Texas A&M, University of Texas, UNC among others. Clients renew when their partners deliver results.
Why BlueRidge Data
Our firm does things differently. We know that one of the greatest challenges facing Higher Ed is the quality of data. We aren’t a data commodity broker like many of the data providers in the space. Distilled data, at its essence, is an approach that takes the most crucial elements of any data set and provides what is needed to make decisions. Too much data encumbers the decision making process, while data distilled by BRD empowers users to do what they do best.
Learn how your organization can benefit from BlueRidge Data’s Advancement and Career Services offerings
Our Platform
Our platform, RisingStars, and technology provide access to developed predictive algorithms and machine learning/AI techniques to create a comprehensive “data superset” of 210 million U.S. consumer profiles and 80 Million professional profiles. We unify consumer and professional profiles and offer a 360º view; rich in behavioral analytics, dynamic insights, real-time wealth events, predictive purchase intent and deeply nuanced relationship mapping. This provides an added dimension to traditional data providers.
Learn about the solutions our RisingStars platform enables.
Our Values
We believe in doing business the right way with Integrity, bringing constant Curiosity to the discussion, with Concern about our Client’s mission and goals, building long-term Relationships and ultimately delivering Results.
We’d like to hear about the objectives you aim to achieve. Contact BlueRidge Data to start a discussion.
Expertise and Experience
BlueRidge Data was founded by Stephen Hafner, the former CEO and Founder of HEPdata (now a SSB/Affinaquest company), who pioneered Employer Matching Gift technologies – along with a talented cadre of industry veterans – with combined experience of over 75 years in EdTech. To learn more about BlueRidge Data, read Our Story.
The Value of Staying Connected with Alumni Under 30
Universities have a goldmine of opportunity in their young alumni. Graduates under 30 are launching careers, joining companies with matching gift programs, and even starting their own businesses – representing a wealth of future engagement and philanthropy. BRD empowers universities to connect with these young alumni through data enrichment, milestone tracking, matching gift insights, and streamlined giving tools. By cultivating relationships early, universities can turn young graduates into lifelong ambassadors, mentors, and donors. Connect with your future today – because every relationship starts with knowing.
Elevate Your First Destination Survey with BlueRidge Data
Don’t let the approaching First Destination Survey (FDS) deadline for May 2024 graduates overwhelm your institution. BlueRidge Data empowers you to overcome common FDS challenges like low response rates and incomplete data with our innovative data solutions. We enrich your graduate records with verified employer information, complete contact profiles, and graduate school insights, enabling you to effortlessly achieve comprehensive and accurate FDS reporting.
Kick Off 2025 with Smarter Fundraising
Smarter fundraising starts here! Discover tools and strategies to connect with donors, enrich data, and unlock hidden giving potential.










