Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB⁷) and Constant Contact®, Inc.⁸ (Nasdaq: CTCT⁹) today announced a strategic partnership agreement that will provide small and growing nonprofits with the tools and training they need to optimize their e-marketing programs. The companies will integrate key products and combine their expertise to develop nonprofit-specific seminars, training, and best practices. Leveraging Blackbaud's analytics expertise, the companies will also work together to help nonprofits enhance their programs with new analytic capabilities.

Is your nonprofit interested in using social media for fundraising, marketing, and advocacy?  Hear practical tips and tools from top experts at Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Groupon, Zynga, See3, Community Media Workshop, National Geographic, and more, all while enjoying some great networking with your nptech peers.  See full details at http://www.SocialMedia4Nonprofits.org/

After four sold out programs in a row, Social Media for Nonprofits is coming to Chicago next Tuesday, 9/27 at Columbia College.  Registration is normally $125 for the 9am-5pm program, plus meals and access to the book release party for Nonprofit Management 101, but you can save $20 with the discount code "Chi".

Register on the Social Media for Nonprofits website at http://www.SocialMedia4Nonprofits.org/chi, or learn more at their Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!SM4Nonprofits) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sm4nonprofits) page.

Omidyar Network announced today its intent to grant up to $3M to six leading organizations focused on advancing government transparency and accountability.  The organizations are:  Association for Democratic Reforms (India), Co-Creation Hub (Nigeria), Fundacion Ciudadano Inteligente (Chile), Mideast Youth (Bahrain), Centre UA  (Ukraine), and Open Knowledge Foundation (UK).

Reports by the National Association of State Budget Officers in 2010 estimate that nationwide K-12 budgets were cut by $1.8 billion and anticipate $2.5 billion in cuts for fiscal year 2012. Approximately 23 states have made "identifiable, deep" cuts in pre-k and/or K-12 education, according to the Center on Budget Policies and Priorities.

The Verizon Foundation, Verizon's philanthropic arm, will give the American Red Cross a$100,000 grant to assist in relief efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Irene.  Additionally, the foundation's disaster relief incentive program will match dollar-for-dollar all donations by U.S.-based Verizon employees, up to $1,000 per employee, to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army for Hurricane Irene relief.