Nine Innovative Startups Showcase Their Social Impact Solutions at Blackbaud's Annual Event

Unveiling Innovation in Social Impact

Introduction

On September 18, 2025, Blackbaud, a trailblazer in AI solutions for social impact, held its annual Social Good Startup Showcase at its headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. This event highlighted nine startups that participated in Blackbaud's Social Good Startup Program, providing them a unique platform to present their groundbreaking solutions aimed at addressing significant challenges faced by social impact organizations.

The Purpose of the Showcase

The showcase serves an essential role in connecting existing nonprofits, educational institutions, and socially responsible companies with innovative startups developing tools designed to enhance social impact. Participants pitched their solutions to a panel of Blackbaud executives, offering insights into how their technologies can create more effective resource management, engagement, and charitable giving processes.

Kevin McDearis, Chief Technology Officer at Blackbaud, stated, "As the leading company in social impact technology for four decades, we aim to provide our customers with both our established expertise and the fresh ideas emerging from new startups. Our goal is to foster an ecosystem where innovative solutions can thrive alongside our time-tested tools."

The Startups in Focus

The startups featured in the 2025 cohort included:
1. Altruify - Focusing on democratizing philanthropy through technology.
2. Boost My School - Enhancing fundraising for K-12 institutions.
3. Collective - Aiming to strengthen giving circles among alumni.
4. Connect To Give - A solution for nonprofits to manage restricted grants efficiently.
5. Daffodil - Promoting employee engagement through skills-based volunteering.
6. KarmaSuite - Involving companies in creating social impact.
7. Mentor Spaces - Addressing mentorship needs within communities.
8. Pledge - A platform for encouraging social responsibility.
9. Revere Software - Simplifying operational processes for charitable organizations.

The pitches, varying from AI-driven approaches to improved volunteer management, showcased the diverse capabilities of each startup in fostering meaningful social connections and collaborations.

Engagement and Voting

Following the presentations, attendees were encouraged to vote for the solutions they deemed most promising in transforming social impact operations. This voting opportunity remained open until October 7, and the winners—both selected by judges and the public—were set to be announced at bbcon2025 on October 6-8 in Philadelphia. All finalists planned to showcase their products at the event, allowing them to engage directly with potential users and partners.

About the Social Good Startup Program

The Social Good Startup Program stands out as a year-long accelerator, specifically designed to uplift early-stage technology companies focusing on social impact issues. Participants benefit from tailored resources, marketing collaborations, and grant funding, facilitating the scaling of their innovative solutions. This initiative not only aids in product development but also promotes integration opportunities with Blackbaud's existing ecosystem, enabling startups to reach a wider audience through the Blackbaud Marketplace.

Since its inception, Blackbaud has supported 77 startups, fostering their growth and helping them raise substantial funding exceeding $230 million, in addition to contributing numerous new tools to the marketplace.

Looking Ahead

As Blackbaud prepares for future cohorts, including one slated for January 2026, special consideration will be given to companies specializing in AI technologies and those led by founders from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in the tech industry. Through ongoing innovation and collaboration, Blackbaud continues to cement its role as a leading facilitator of social impact solutions.

Conclusion

The Social Good Startup Showcase embodies not just an exhibition of new technologies but also the spirit of collaboration among various pillars of the social impact community. By bridging the gap between established resources and innovative startups, Blackbaud ensures a flourishing future for social good initiatives across the globe.