Science & Technology
Blackbaud Reports on Corporate Citizenship Initiatives for First Quarter
CHARLESTON, S.C.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: [ BLKB ]) today announced its first quarter 2011 Corporate Citizenship initiatives, including grants, donations, and volunteer service by Blackbaud employees.
"Whether ita™s as one person or as one company, at Blackbaud all of our sights are firmly set on making a difference."
aAt Blackbaud making a difference is a core value thata™s reflected in the volunteering our staff does individually and through our company-specific events and community outreach,a said Rachel Hutchisson, director of corporate citizenship and philanthropy for Blackbaud. aWhether ita™s as one person or as one company, at Blackbaud all of our sights are firmly set on making a difference.a
Blackbaud volunteers
At their 2011 divisional kick-off meetings, members of Blackbauda™s General Markets Business Unit, product management, and marketing communications teams invited representatives from local nonprofit organizations to share their struggles and successes, how technology has helped them, and how they benefit from volunteer help. These Blackbaud teams then invested their personal time to help these organizations and better understand the nonprofit customer experience.
The Blackbaud product management team also championed a food drive among the companya™s Charleston-based employees on behalf of the Lowcountry Food Bank. They collected enough food and donations to provide 46,000 meals. In addition, Blackbaud employees in Cambridge, MA, and San Diego, CA, volunteered with organizations in their communities as part of this hunger awareness initiative.
During the first quarter of 2011, Blackbaud awarded 17 Reward Your Passion grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide in honor of employeesa™ volunteer service. Valued at $500 each, the grants are determined by Team Blackbaud Global, an entity comprised of one representative from each Blackbaud office worldwide.
Focus on Charleston
The Blackbaud Fund, held by the [ Coastal Community Foundation ], awards grants of up to $5,000 to deserving local organizations that provide educational opportunities to disadvantaged and minority youth of the three counties in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Employees serving on The Blackbaud Fund Committee review applications, conduct site visits, and make funding recommendations. For 2011, 11 grants were awarded. Blackbaud will increase the maximum grant to $10,000 for the 2012 grants cycle.
Blackbaud also conducted other initiatives including:
- Philanthropy Partnership with the Charleston Battery, a professional soccer club: This partnership includes the Blackbaud Nonprofit of the Match, which raises awareness for a different nonprofit organization at each of the Batterya™s 15 home games to encourage fans to get involved in community service. This seasona™s nonprofit organizations are focused on education, families in need, veterans, and health-related causes.
- Blackbauda™s Nonprofit Leadership Circle: Employees from around the United States who serve on nonprofit boards of directors were brought together for roundtable discussions to share their experiences on board structure, recruitment, and governance, among other nonprofit board basics.
- The Green Business Challenge: Blackbaud continues to participate in the 2010/2011 City of Charleston Green Business Challenge. It has made green improvements to its headquarters, including the installation of automatic hand dryers in all restrooms. Blackbaud Sprouts, the community garden in Blackbauda™s backyard, is beginning its first full growing season.
For more information, visit: [ http://www.blackbaud.com/company/philanthropy/philanthropy.aspx ]
About Blackbaud
Blackbaud is the leading global provider of software and services designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, enabling them to improve operational efficiency, build strong relationships, and raise more money to support their missions. Approximately 24,000 organizations a" including The American Red Cross, Cancer Research UK, Earthjustice, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Lincoln Center, The Salvation Army, The Taft School, Tulsa Community Foundation, Ursinus College, the WGBH Educational Foundation, and Yale University a" use one or more Blackbaud products and services for fundraising, constituent relationship management, financial management, website management, direct marketing, education administration, ticketing, business intelligence, prospect research, consulting, and analytics. Since 1981, Blackbauda™s sole focus and expertise has been partnering with nonprofits and providing them the solutions they need to make a difference in their local communities and worldwide. Headquartered in the United States, Blackbaud also has operations in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit [ www.blackbaud.com ].
Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks related to our dividend policy and share repurchase program, including potential limitations on our ability to grow and the possibility that we might discontinue payment of dividends; risks relating to restrictions imposed by the credit facility; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SECa™s website at [ www.sec.gov ] or upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.
