The Buzz: May 2026 Edition!
Welcome to May’s edition of The Buzz—brimming with new information and an exciting badge opportunity. Let’s get started!
Product Update Briefings
The Blackbaud Product Update Briefings kick off this week! 🎉
Register now to watch the sessions for the products you use or ones you’re curious to learn more about. You’ll get a guided look at the latest features released over the past few months, a preview of what’s coming next, and firsthand insights from the Blackbaud product teams.
After you watch, head into the discussions in the relevant product communities and share your key takeaways:
- Agents for Good™
- Blackbaud Altru® (US Only)
- Blackbaud Award Management™ and Blackbaud Stewardship Management™
- Blackbaud CRM™
- Blackbaud’s Education Management Solutions for Higher Education
- Blackbaud’s Education Management Solutions for K-12 Schools
- Blackbaud eTapestry®
- Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT®
- Blackbaud Grantmaking™
- JustGiving® from Blackbaud®
- Blackbaud Luminate Online® and Blackbaud TeamRaiser®
- Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: Unified View
- Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT: Premium and AI
- YourCause®
Tell us what stood out, what surprised you, or what you’re most excited to try—and you’ll earn this exclusive badge for participating!
Can’t join live? No worries. Register anyway and watch the sessions on demand. You can still jump into the discussions and share your feedback through the end of the month.
We can’t wait to hear what you think—and to get the conversation going in the community!
NEW! Agents for Good™ Community
Check out the new Agents for Good Community—a new place to actively explore, discuss, and influence the future of agentic AI at Blackbaud.
Ask questions about the Development Agent, share real-world experiences, and learn directly from Blackbaud experts and fellow community members.
This is your hub for updates, resources, and meaningful conversations that help shape what’s coming next.
👉 Jump in and join the conversation! Where do you think an AI agent could add the most value to your organization?
Blackbaud Impact Awards:
Now’s the time to submit your nomination for the 2026 Blackbaud Impact Awards. Nominate your organization, leader, or rising star by Friday, May 15. Award winners will be recognized on the bbcon mainstage and receive a complimentary conference pass.
bbcon 2026:
Join thousands of social impact and education professionals September 29–October 1 in Columbus, Ohio to expand your network, sharpen your skills, and boost your impact. Register now to lock in early bird pricing and save $779. Plus, consider adding a pre-conference pass for hands-on workshops. Don’t wait—hotel blocks go fast, so book your room soon for the best rates. Register now!
📣: This just in for the Blackbaud Community: you can now claim your bbcon 2026 Attendee badge. Just click the “request this badge” button and write why you are excited about bbcon in the badge request box!
Bbdevdays
Explore how emerging technology like AI can be applied in your day‑to‑day work—no matter your technical background. With two keynotes and twice the inspiration, plus 100+ sessions across June 2–4, bbdevdays will help you save time through smarter automations, build skills you can apply immediately, and see how peers solve challenges you face. Register now to join us!
Reminder: New Blackbaud Institute Spotlight—2025 Trends in Giving
Giving grew in 2025, with the typical organization finishing up +4.3% year over year and year-end remained the defining moment. More than 36% of annual revenue came in Q4, including roughly 18% in December alone. This report helps you benchmark performance, understand where growth is concentrating, and apply a 10-year view of giving to strengthen your strategy ahead of end-of-year activations. Explore the insights and takeaways: Read the Report.
What’s New:
ICYMI!
- What's New in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®
- Blackbaud's Education Management Solutions for Higher Education: What’s New for May 5, 2026
- Blackbaud's Education Management Solutions for K-12 Schools: What’s New for May 5, 2026
- The Grantmaking Post for Blackbaud Grantmaking™
- The Financial Post
Featured Content:
Don’t miss out on these resources!
- Best Practices in Disaster Philanthropy (ENGAGE)
- Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together This AANHPI Month
- Introducing Bill Me Later for Pledges: More Flexibility for More Donors (Raiser’s Edge NXT)
- InsideTrack Scoop: Query and Reimagined Export Highlights (Raiser’s Edge NXT)
- Smarter Online Giving: AI-Powered Insights and Guidance Are Here (Raiser’s Edge NXT)
- Financial Edge NXT® Receivables: Webinar Follow‑Up
- What Fundraising Can Learn About Capacity from a Test Kitchen (ENGAGE)
- AI-Assisted, Human-Led: The Future of Higher Education Advancement (ENGAGE)
Events:
Don’t miss these opportunities to connect and learn!
- Raiser’s Edge NXT Post-PUB Q&A Session with the Blackbaud Product Managers (May 8)
- Blackbaud Development Agent: Live Walkthrough (May 13)
- Blackbaud CRM User Group (May 27)
- Webinar: Smarter Together: A Human First Approach to Agentic AI (May 28)
- Webinar: Blackbaud Development Agent: Live Walkthrough (June 11)
- K-12 UC (July 15-17)
Community Kudos:
Let’s celebrate the amazing contributions from our community members last month.
Alex Wong replied to 48 questions in April! Followed closely by Elizabeth Johnson, who replied to 32 questions. Thank you for responding to all those discussions!
Elizabeth also topped the charts for reactions given with a whopping 219. JoAnn Strommen gave out 117 reactions. Wow!
And Daniel Wallach started five discussions. Thanks for engaging, Daniel!
Birthdays:
Let’s wish all of our Taureses and Geminis a very happy birthday. If you celebrate a birthday in May — let us know, so we can leave you happy birthday wishes!
Comments
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Happy PUB week everyone! So much stuff here Crystal! Go @Daniel Wallach
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It is a packed Buzz for sure! 😍
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I have a May birthday!! 🎂Happy birthday to all my fellow May-born BB community members!
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Happy Birthday @Rachel Cavalier and all!
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I have a May birthday (May 23)!!! Happy Birthday to all that are celebrating this May!!!! 😎🍰
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