Charleston, S.C. (July 31, 2008) – Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB), today unveiled a new release of Blackbaud® NetCommunity™ that includes major enhancements in both function and features. From improved site design features to enhanced web accessibility and a native social networking feature called “Wave,” it will provide nonprofits with an opportunity to further engage their constituents in the vital Internet channel. Additionally, the company unveiled a new set of NetCommunity Open Platform APIs for creating custom parts, integrated web services, and custom transactions.

“With Wave, Blackbaud has introduced a new way to leverage social networking—both within the application and by integrating to social network services like Facebook—which will add to the viral nature of our work,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Director of Information Technology Michael Sola. “Being able to have an easier way to reach out through social networking channels will help us extend our audience as we move more and more in that direction.

“Additionally, the ease of integration between Blackbaud NetCommunity 5.5 and our other Blackbaud systems will help us close the loop between our online and offline direct marketing efforts and really take our reporting, data management and usage to new levels.”

“We designed Blackbaud NetCommunity from the ground up as a content management and online fundraising solution to serve the needs of the nonprofit community,” said Marc Chardon, Blackbaud’s chief executive officer. “Since it was introduced in 2004, more than 600 nonprofits have selected NetCommunity to create an online presence and recruit and retain donors in the online space.” Tight integration with The Raiser’s Edge® enables nonprofits to customize web visitors’ online experience while capturing key information in their CRM systems.

Wave, Blackbaud NetCommunity’s new social networking feature, is the first natively-developed social network in an Internet solution designed for nonprofits. It helps nonprofits create mission-specific online communities with high levels of interactivity that also integrate with popular social networking sites like Facebook®.

“We are very excited, as this is a major upgrade to NetCommunity that will introduce many new groundbreaking features, like Wave, as well as build on and improve the existing solution,” said Steve MacLaughlin, Blackbaud’s director of Internet solutions.

Additional enhancements include:

• Content Approval – allowing workflow approval processes for content publishing and versioning

• eCards – allowing website visitors to send electronic cards for free or for a donation

• Improved site design features – including an improved site designer, multiple image uploads, enhanced document management, and a Mozilla Firefox® accessible admin site

• Web Accessibility – support for WAI (Level A and AA) and Section 508 compliancy on various website components

• eReceipts – extended support for online gift receipts

• Page sharing – allowing users to submit NetCommunity pages to social bookmarking sites such as Facebook, Del.icio.us, Newsvine®, etc.

Blackbaud Labs, a developer community maintained by Blackbaud's product development department and built on the latest version of NetCommunity, features an introduction to the new open platform APIs and source code samples.

“A lot of effort has been put into expanding the API into new areas of the platform,” said Michael Andrews, Blackbaud’s distinguished engineer, “primarily around giving the custom part developer much more access to core platform features like RSS feeds, document libraries, built-in dialogs, donations, user accounts, and programmatic part creation, to name just a few.”

Media Contact:

Melanie Milonas
Blackbaud, Inc.
melanie.milonas@blackbaud.com
843.216.6200 x3307

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, InTouch Ministries, Tulsa Community Foundation, Ursinus College, Earthjustice, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the WGBH Educational Foundation — use one or more of 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 Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. For more information, visit

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