Late last week, Blackbaud announced a new partnership with the Charleston Battery pro scocer team, a partnership that I think is pretty cool.
I guess I should issue a disclaimer upfront that I'm a HUGE soccer fan, a former player and referee, and -- much as I hate the label -- an oh so current soccer mom (with a Prius instead of the stereotypical minivan, thank you very much.)
Sports have always been a big part of my life, as has a commitment to give something back, making a positive mark on the world in my own small way. So you can just imagine how excited I was when Blackbaud decided to focus its partnership with the Charleston Battery on philanthropy.
Blackbaud and the Battery share many things -- Tony Bakker (the philanthropist who founded both organizations), a beautiful location on Daniel Island, SC,, and a passion for making a difference. What this partnership does is takes the combined strength and reach of both organizations and uses it celebrate and promote the good work done by Charleston-area nonprofits.
We're bringing life to this idea through a "Nonprofit of the Match" where one organization is honored at each of the Charleston Battery's 13 home matches. We're kicking things off (please pardon the pun) on March 13th when the Charleston Battery hosts its annual Carolina Challenge Cup, a tournament that pits three Major League Soccer teams against the Battery. (This year, MLS champions Real Salt Lake will be coming to town, along with DC United and Toronto FC).
It is our combined hope that, through our partnership, we will introduce the broad community that supports the Charleston Battery to the great work nonprofits are doing in the Lowcountry. And if any of those sports fans decide to donate their time, treasure or talent to these organizations, well, that'll be something else to celebrate.
For those of you who live in Charleston and might come out to a game (you should because it's a lot of fun), you'll see another aspect of the partnership in action -- Blackbaud employees working alongside the Battery staff, volunteering their time and serving their community.
We couldn't ask for a better partner than the Charleston Battery. From Tony Bakker and Andrew Bell, the club's CEO and president, respectively, to the staff and the team itself, the Battery family cares about making a difference, about what we like to say at Blackbaud...how service to others makes the world a better place.