Blackbaud's Innovative Culture Celebrated in Fast Company’s 2025 Best Workplaces for Innovators

Blackbaud, a leading provider dedicated to harnessing AI for social impact, has proudly secured the 20th position on Fast Company's esteemed list of the 2025 Best Workplaces for Innovators. This recognition emphasizes Blackbaud’s distinct culture of experimentation and innovation, which significantly contributes to empowering organizations and individuals that strive to create a positive impact in the world.

A Focus on Creativity and Passion

Mike Gianoni, Blackbaud's president and CEO, articulated the company's mission and vision, stating, "We don't just see AI as a tool to amplify impact—we see it as a new paradigm that we must help our social impact customers navigate so they can make their inspiring visions a reality." This philosophy has been underlined by the creativity, passion, and purpose that Blackbaud employees demonstrate daily, contributing to transformative solutions in the realm of social impact.

Margaret "Maggie" Driscoll, the company's Chief People and Culture Officer, emphasized the empowerment of employees to innovate and think creatively. She mentioned, "Our culture is built on empowering employees to think creatively and push the boundaries of what's possible for the social impact community." This collaborative environment encourages bold ideas and provides the necessary resources to turn those ideas into tangible solutions that truly matter.

Engaging Employees for Greater Impact

What sets Blackbaud apart is its commitment to community engagement and connection. In 2024, an impressive 70% of employees volunteered their time, which is triple the national average, and one in seven employees served on nonprofit boards. This deep-rooted culture fosters a sense of connection and purpose that drives not only individual employee engagement but also significantly enhances customer satisfaction through consistent delivery of innovative solutions and improved operational efficiencies.

Innovations Driving Change

Central to Blackbaud's strategy are innovative mechanisms designed to inspire and cultivate creativity among employees. In 2024 alone, Blackbaud invested a remarkable $220 million in research and development, catalyzing a new phase dedicated to social impact innovation. This investment has led to various programs including:

1. AI for Blackbaud

A collaborative cohort-based initiative aimed at merging employee expertise and technology. This program allows employees to experiment, identify use cases, assess their value, and recognize replicable patterns that can bring significant value.

2. Tech Thursday

A designated day for ongoing professional development and innovative experimentation within Blackbaud’s Product Technology Group. Employees may work on side projects, explore new AI features, or learn alternative coding languages, making it a valuable learning opportunity.

3. Off the Grid

An engaging event crafted to connect innovators from diverse backgrounds within the company. It’s formatted as a hackathon where participants pitch ideas and collaborate to develop them, fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration. One such project has transitioned into Blackbaud AI – Chat, an AI-based assistant designed to supercharge functions tied to social impact.

4. Blackbaud Social Good Startup Program

An initiative focused on supporting early-stage software companies dedicated to solving pressing problems within the social good community. This tech accelerator champions diversity and innovation, spurring solutions that deliver real-world impacts.

Gianoni further reflected on the daily embodiment of their core value, 'Inspired to Innovate,' stating, "They're passionate about our customers, and you can see it in the way they are reimagining what's possible through our solutions." The emphasis is not merely on advancing products but also on laying the groundwork for a new future of AI-powered social impact.

Conclusion

As Blackbaud continues to create cutting-edge solutions and foster a vibrant culture of innovation, it stands as a model for organizations aiming to enhance their social impact. By prioritizing employee engagement, creativity, and technological advancement, Blackbaud is effectively transforming the landscape of social good, inspiring both their workforce and those they serve.

For additional information on Blackbaud’s innovative work and impact in the social sector, visit Blackbaud’s website.