Blackbaud News : Faith-based

Challenging times create communication imperatives for faith-based nonprofits

Melissa Dodge — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:08:00 GMT

Featured in Church Executive Magazine
Volume 2009, Issue 8 - 8 2009

by Stuart Manewith, CFRE, Business Development Manager at Blackbaud

Challenging times create communication imperatives
Leaders connect with staff and congregations through 21st century technology.

There are opportunities, believe it or not, for churches and other faith-based nonprofits in an economic downturn. In order to survive, churches have no choice but to continue striking a balance in conducting ministry initiatives, relationship-building and business.

Most importantly, they are continuing to support their communities. And, in order to be successful during difficult times, they are all the more dependent on faith-driven giving.

Communicating effectively is the key in connecting not only with a congregation, but with staff as well. If a message is not properly delivered it will be lost - and the method to deliver that message is changing. Let's look at a few of those communications:

1) More church offices and administrators will prefer to communicate by e-mail - and there will likely be an explosive increase in the use of text-messaging. Church staff members will be more accessible with the instant communication that e-mail and text-messaging provides.

Read the full article.

Press Release: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Selects Blackbaud Enterprise CRM

Melanie Mathos — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:41:00 GMT

Solution will be used by all programs and ministries to better serve 6200 congregations and 2.4 million members

Charleston, S.C. (Feb. 3, 2009) – Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB) today announced that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) will partner with the company on a multi-year project to change the organization’s strategic approaches to constituent relationship management, financial management, and online collaboration. With the aid of Blackbaud’s solutions and services, the LCMS will develop new business processes, procedures, and information systems to support a holistic view of the constituent.

“This project will play a key role in our continuing effort to fully engage our members and support our ministries in their work around the globe,” said Ron Schultz, LCMS’ chief administrative officer. “Blackbaud provides a solution that will help us share the impact of the powerful work of the LCMS and is a company committed to long-term product development and investment in talented people that understand the mission of organizations like ours.”

Read the full press release, or watch a video interview with Alan Meyer, executive director of Concordia Technologies, which manages LCMS information technology resources and support.