Enterprise Fundraising in Action: Your Guide to the Blackbaud CRM™ Track at bbcon 2026

Alison Madrigal

As nonprofits navigate increasing data complexity, rising expectations for insight, and the growing role of AI, enterprise fundraising teams are rethinking how they operate—and how Blackbaud CRM supports that work.

At bbcon 2026, the Blackbaud CRM track brings these conversations together through customer-led stories, strategic discussions, technical guidance, and practical examples from organizations that are modernizing fundraising operations, strengthening data foundations, and preparing for the future of enterprise fundraising.

Whether you're focused on architecture, data governance, analytics, AI, constituent engagement, or day-to-day CRM optimization, this year's track offers opportunities to learn from peers, connect with experts, and discover new ways to increase impact.

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ENTERPRISE FUNDRAISING

👉 Blackbaud CRM: Shaping the Next Era of Enterprise Fundraising

Presenters: Andrea Avtjoglou (Blackbaud)

Panelists: Mark Walcott (University of Houston), Mary Vega (University of Arizona), and other customers to be announced

Kick off bbcon with the team behind Blackbaud CRM and a panel of customer innovators. You’ll hear how Blackbaud CRM is evolving to support the next generation of enterprise fundraising, with recent advancements and emerging innovations designed to increase impact, improve productivity, and modernize fundraising operations. A panel of customer will share their perspectives on adoption, transformation, and the opportunities shaping the future of fundraising.

BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH

👉 Evolving Your Architecture: Positioning Blackbaud CRM for What's Next

Presenters: Andrea Avtjoglou, Brandon Winchester, Chris Kastner, and Jason Metcalfe (Blackbaud)

Explore how Blackbaud CRM serves as the foundation of a modern, connected fundraising architecture, extending across data platforms, analytics environments, and AI-driven workflows. Learn key strategies for integration, data management, and extensibility from organizations building for scale. Gain practical guidance on positioning CRM within a broader enterprise ecosystem while maintaining performance, governance, and trust.

👉 Building and Advancing an Effective Data Governance Program & User Outreach For Blackbaud CRM

Presenters: Christina Provost (University of Nebraska Foundation), Jenifer Alonzo (Blackbaud)

Uncover a practical framework for building, maturing, and sustaining a data governance program from the University of Nebraska Foundation. Learn how to establish data standards, define ownership, improve data quality, and drive adoption across users with varying levels of data literacy. Leave with proven strategies to strengthen confidence in your data and support better fundraising and organizational decision-making.

TURN DATA INTO INTELLIGENCE

👉 Enterprise Intelligence in Action: Data, Insights, and AI with Blackbaud CRM

Panelists: Julie Vargo (The Ohio State University), Mary Vega and Shannon Maitland (University of Arizona Foundation), Paul Watkins (Indiana University)

Moderator: Brandon Winchester (Blackbaud)

Join advancement leaders from The Ohio State University, University of Arizona Foundation, and Indiana University as they discuss how they are modernizing enterprise intelligence by connecting Blackbaud CRM data with broader analytics and AI ecosystems. Learn from their experiences with architecture, BI tooling, and data integration, and gain practical strategies for delivering timely, actionable insights across the enterprise.

👉 From Engagement to Action: Building a Connected Constituent Data Strategy in Blackbaud CRM

Presenters: Samantha Frost and Angie Theaker (The Ohio State University)

Join leaders from The Ohio State University as they share how they built a connected constituent data strategy in Blackbaud CRM to transform engagement into action. Learn how cross-functional teams improved data quality, unified engagement insights, and activated constituent data to support more personalized engagement and stronger fundraising outcomes. Gain practical strategies for collecting, connecting, and leveraging engagement data at scale.

MOVE FROM AI READINESS TO AI IMPACT

👉 From AI Innovation to Advancement Impact: How Executive Leaders Turn Capability into Performance

Presenters: Tim Cerato and Elie Sirotta (Boston University), Jason Metcalfe (Blackbaud)

Join leaders from Boston University and Blackbaud as they discuss how institutions are moving from AI readiness to measurable advancement impact. Learn how they are leveraging AI in practical, high-impact ways while modernizing ways of working, empowering teams to move faster, and building more agile and resilient advancement organizations. Gain actionable insights on the leadership strategies and organizational changes required to move from experimentation to enterprise-level impact.

👉 Turn AI Interest into AI Readiness: Building a Data Foundation You Can Trust

Presenters: Stacey Segal (BrightVine), Amanda Brown (The Nature Conservancy), Arys Nogueron (NYU Langone Health), Salvatore Salpietro (Dataro)

Hear from leaders at BrightVine Solutions, The Nature Conservancy, and Dataro as they discuss what it takes to move from AI interest to AI readiness. Learn how organizations are improving data quality, connecting systems, and establishing the governance and processes needed to support responsible AI adoption. Gain practical insights for strengthening your data foundation, building trust in your data, and identifying where AI can create meaningful organizational value.

👉 Scaling Prospect Intelligence in Blackbaud CRM With Generative AI

Presenters: Thomas Haley, Amanda Hartman, Cameron Oelke (University of Nebraska Foundation), Wadih Pazos (Esgenio), Gethin James (Blackbaud)

Join leaders from the University of Nebraska Foundation, Esgenio, and Blackbaud as they share how they developed and piloted a generative AI–enabled approach to scaling prospect intelligence in Blackbaud CRM. Learn how they streamlined contact report review, improved the consistency and actionability of prospect data, and created stronger feedback loops between prospect information managers and frontline fundraisers. Gain practical lessons on AI governance, human oversight, and implementing AI responsibly within advancement operations.

OPTIMIZE THE WAY YOU WORK

👉 Blackbaud CRM Power User Playbook: Tips, Tricks, and Time-Saving Strategies

Presenters: Jefferson Davis (Georgia Tech Foundation), Cynthia Nair (The Nature Conservancy), Scott Dunbar (Blackbaud), Jenifer Alonzo (Blackbaud)

Join Jefferson Davis of the Georgia Tech Foundation and Cynthia Nair of The Nature Conservancy, alongside Blackbaud solution architects and product experts, as they share the tips, techniques, and best practices they've used to get more value from Blackbaud CRM. Learn how they have streamlined daily workflows, improved data quality, optimized processes, and leveraged capabilities such as Page Designer, automation, and reporting to drive greater efficiency. Cynthia will also share how The Nature Conservancy supports sustained giving and membership programs through Blackbaud CRM. Leave with practical ideas and time-saving strategies you can apply immediately within your own organization.

Join the Conversation at bbcon 2026

This year's Blackbaud CRM track reflects the challenges and opportunities facing advancement organizations today: managing increasingly complex data environments, delivering better constituent experiences, building trust in AI, and preparing for a more connected and intelligent future.

From architecture and governance to enterprise intelligence, AI innovation, constituent engagement, and practical optimization strategies, the Blackbaud CRM track offers something for every member of your advancement team.

In the meantime, explore the published bbcon agenda, including keynote sessions featuring award-winning actor, songwriter, and New York Times bestselling author Leslie Odom, Jr. and entrepreneur, innovator, and educator Priya Lakhani OBE, alongside other industry and nonprofit leaders sharing perspectives on the future of social impact.

When browsing the agenda, use the Product filter and select Blackbaud CRM to quickly find sessions designed specifically for enterprise advancement teams.

👉 Explore sessions now

We look forward to connecting with you at bbcon!