Blackbaud Provides Online Fundraising Technology for “Idol Gives Back”
April 5, 2010
Launches fundraising website to help viewers and fansraise money in advance of April 21st FOX television special
CHARLESTON, SC – April 5, 2010 – Blackbaud, Inc. today announced that it is powering the online initiative encouraging viewers to fundraise inadvance of “Idol Gives Back”, airing Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PMET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
“Idol Gives Back” will use Blackbaud Sphere Friends Asking Friends tohelp viewers and fans give back by creating and joining fundraisingteams on the “Help Me Give Back” website, which tracks fundraising goals and progress of individual members. Additionally, participants cancreate individual “Help Me Give Back” pages, set fundraising goals andget the word out to friends, family and co-workers through feeds andwidgets as well as via social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
The individuals and teams who impress the show’s producers with theircampaigns before the deadline of 11:59 p.m. PT on Tuesday, April 20could hear their name on the “Idol Gives Back” broadcast the followingnight or even find themselves at an upcoming “American Idol” show.
The “Help Me Give Back” program was designed to empower individuals andteams to raise money for “Idol Gives Back” atwww.americanidol.com/idolgivesback in support of this year’sbeneficiaries, including Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America,Malaria No More, Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and the UnitedNations Foundation.
“We applaud ‘American Idol’ for encouraging its viewers and fans notonly to donate, but also to get engaged in the ‘Idol Gives Back’campaign, raising money in support of these leading nonprofits,” saidMarc Chardon, Blackbaud’s chief executive officer. “With BlackbaudSphere Friends Asking Friends, along with Boundless Fundraising fromCharity Dynamics, ‘Idol Gives Back’ will empower personal fundraisersthrough online fundraising technology and social media outreach.”
The brainchild of Simon Fuller, “Idol Gives Back” is the EmmyAward-winning television event and musical celebration raising awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities. Thespecial has made history by raising over $140 million for charity todate, and viewers will once again be able to make donations during andfollowing the show. In addition, the week’s voting results will berevealed, sending one of the finalists home.
About Blackbaud
Blackbaud is the leading global provider of software and servicesdesigned specifically for nonprofit organizations, enabling them toimprove operational efficiency, build strong relationships, and raisemore 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 TouchMinistries, Tulsa Community Foundation, Ursinus College, Earthjustice,International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the WGBH EducationalFoundation — use one or more Blackbaud products and services forfundraising, constituent relationship management, financial management,website management, direct marketing, education administration,ticketing, business intelligence, prospect research, consulting, andanalytics. Since 1981, Blackbaud’s sole focus and expertise has beenpartnering 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 inAustralia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. For moreinformation, visit www.blackbaud.com.
