"This year's Conference brought the brightest minds in nonprofit technology together from around the world to discuss key issues facing nonprofits today and explore solutions through technology," said Mary Beth Natarajan, Blackbaud's director of corporate communications. "The theme of the Conference 'Better Together' was brought to life through new collaborations with customers, partners, and Blackbaud staff."
Featured sessions that can be accessed for free on Blackbaud TV at www.blackbaud.tv/nonprofit-
- Technology Keynote - featuring Allison Fine and Beth Kanter (by way of virtual guest appearance)
- Global Trends and What they Mean to You - moderated by Marc Chardon, Blackbaud's chief executive officer and featuring Christie Garton, USA TODAY Kindness Blogger and Moderator; Dr. John Mc Loughlin, managing director (Europe), Global Philanthropic; Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy; and Andrew Watt, chief programs officer, Association of Fundraising Professionals
- Social Media for Nonprofits Ignite! - moderated by Frank Barry, Blackbaud's Internet evangelist and featuring Matthew Mahan, vice president of impact at Causes; Noah Everett, founder of TwitPic; Claire Williams Diaz, who works on social innovation at Twitter; Geoff Livingston, co-founder and chief marketing officer at Zoetica; and Brian Dresher, director of business development at Mashable
- Social Media: Paint by the Numbers - featuring Holly Ross, executive director of NTEN
- Trends in the Nonprofit Industry - featuring Roger Craver, founder of DonorTrends and editor-in-chief of The Agitator, and Steve MacLaughlin, Blackbaud's director of Internet solutions
- Financial Management: Preparing for Grant Proposals - featuring Karen Kennelly, president of K-Squared
In addition, results from the recently released State of the Nonprofit Industry Survey (SONI) were discussed during a press conference featuring Marc Chardon, Blackbaud's chief executive officer, Chuck Longfield, Blackbaud's chief scientist and Rachel Hutchisson, Blackbaud's director of corporate relations and philanthropy. A recording of the presentation, along with featured studies and announcements, are available at www.blackbaud.com/bbconpress.
Blackbaud lived the value of this year's Conference theme "Better Together" by directing more than $200,000 in expenses related to the Conference back to nonprofit organizations, seeking ways to preserve the environment, and incorporating a service project into the event. Better Together: A Case Study in Corporate Citizenship is available in the Conference online pressroom.
"Philanthropy has always been fundamental to Blackbaud - it is infused in the very fabric of who we are as a company," said Hutchisson. "At this year's Conference, we focused on sending as much of our Conference spend as possible back into the nonprofit sector, from keynote fee donations to hiring nonprofit entertainers, and donations of computers and iPads to nonprofits."
In addition to the North American conference, Blackbaud recently held global conferences in Europe and Australia. Next year's North American conference will be held from October 2 to 5 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information on Blackbaud events, visit www.blackbaud.com/events/
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 - including University of Arizona Foundation, American Red Cross, Cancer Research UK, The Taft School, Lincoln Center, 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, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.
