California Credit Card Processing

Jeff Nations

I'm curious how many of you are being victimized by the Blackbaud and the new California House Bill 488? Our organization submitted our annual registration renewals back in November as required. More than 120 days later, the California Attorney General's office STILL has not processed them. The AG's office won't answer the phone, will not respond to emails. We also recently Fedex'd them another copy, just in case. As a result however, our registration is delinquent, and Blackbaud cut off our credit card donations from California residents, and will not make an exception for us under the circumstances - they won't even look at our documents. So that's one issue.

Second, are you aware that the AG's office also shows Blackbaud itself as having never registered as a Charitable Fundraising Counsel, which is also a legal requirement for credit card processers in CA. That's despite notifications by the AG to Blackbaud as far back as 2019 instructing them to register.

I find it frustrating at best, and certainly disturbing that Blackbaud is holding us hostage for California's problems, while at the same time operating illegally themselves.

Thoughts, facts and opinions are welcome.