Blackbaud Offers Nonprofits Free Web Seminar Series on Rapid Response Fundraising

Lessons Learned from Haiti series to focus on planning, executing and following-up on rapid response campaigns

CHARLESTON, SC – March 1, 2010 – Blackbaud, Inc., (Nasdaq: BLKB) is offering a free web seminar series to help nonprofits build strategies for mobilizing, soliciting, and stewarding supporters during and after times of disaster. Blackbaud nonprofit experts and partners developed the seminars based on their work with nonprofits that are involved in Haiti relief efforts. The free series, entitled Lessons Learned from Haiti, includes five seminars that will kick-off on March 11 and will continue through May.

“The ‘Lessons Learned from Haiti’ series is designed to help nonprofit professionals learn from both their peers and industry experts on how to successfully perform relief fundraising using emerging tools and technology that allow them to quickly reach their constituents,” said Steve MacLaughlin, presenter and Blackbaud’s director of Internet solutions. “The series will also focus on providing nonprofits strategies for stewarding and retaining disaster donors.”

Topics will include: developing a rapid response plan, online marketing strategies for disaster response, practical tips for leveraging social media, stewarding donors after a crisis, and turning one-time “crisis” donors into major givers. The series will feature Blackbaud nonprofit experts including Frank Barry, Lawrence Henze, David Lamb, and Steve MacLaughlin and Blackbaud partners including C.B. Barthlow, director of marketing and client services for mGive and Jeff Patrick, president of Common Knowledge.

“Nonprofits need to think differently about how to respond to disasters because donors are thinking differently,” said mGive’s C.B. Barthlow. “These web seminars will help nonprofits gain a fresh perspective on how to quickly mobilize their constituents on a local or global scale.”

The Lessons Learned from Haiti series will feature the following seminars:

• Lessons Learned from Haiti: Online Rapid Response Strategies – March 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET

This session will explore how online fundraising, email communication, and social media played an important role in nonprofit relief efforts for the Haiti earthquake.

• Lessons Learned from Haiti: The Mobile Giving Revolution – March 24 at 2:00 p.m. ET

During this session, presenters will explain mobile advocacy trends and examine the unprecedented response to mobile donation appeals after the Haiti earthquake.

• Lessons Learned from Haiti: Mobilizing Your Supporters Using Social Media – April 6 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Participants will learn best practices and practical tips for leveraging social media for fundraising and outreach for disaster relief programs.

• Lessons Learned from Haiti: Stewarding Donors Following a Crisis – April 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Presenters will cover how to respond to new donations effectively to encourage stronger future financial commitments and what kind of stewardship communications are the most important to send after donors make disaster-related gifts.

• Lessons Learned from Haiti:  Turning One-time Donors into Major Gift Prospects (Ultimate Giving Prospects) – May 5 at 2:00 p.m. ET

This session will help nonprofits understand the best strategies for retaining first-time “crisis” donors and methods for moving retained donors closer to their ultimate giving destination.

Nonprofit professionals can sign up for these free web seminars at www.blackbaud.com/LessonsLearned.

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 22,000 organizations — including University of Arizona Foundation, American Red Cross, Cancer Research UK, The Taft School, Lincoln Center, In Touch Ministries, Tulsa Community Foundation, Ursinus College, Earthjustice, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the WGBH Educational Foundation — 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, Blackbaud’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, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.