Blackbaud Church Management Software Review for 2025
Blackbaud is a church management software designed to help faith-based organizations manage their operations and engage their communities. It's particularly useful for large congregations and nonprofits that need robust donor and fundraising capabilities, like churches with active outreach programs or ministries. Blackbaud offers immense value by enhancing your community engagement and resource management efforts.
In this article, you'll find a detailed review of Blackbaud's features, pros and cons, best and worst use cases, pricing, and more. Let's align your church's needs with the right tools to support your mission and growth.
Blackbaud Evaluation Summary
- Pricing available upon request
- Free demo available
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
Blackbaud Overview
pros
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Trusted Brand: Used by thousands of nonprofits and ministries worldwide.
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Program Flexibility: Works for a wide range of ministries—from outreach to education.
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Detailed Reporting: Deep analytics and financial insights help guide long-term planning.
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Scalable System: Built to grow with your church, even across multiple campuses or ministries.
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Powerful Fundraising Tools: Excellent for donor tracking, gift cultivation, and campaign management.
cons
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Interface Complexity: Not as intuitive as some newer, simpler church software tools.
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Setup Requires Time: Implementation takes planning and may require outside support.
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High Cost: Pricing may be out of reach for small churches or tight budgets.
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Steep Learning Curve: The platform can feel overwhelming for churches without dedicated admin staff.
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How We Test & Score Tools
We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)
The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.
Standout Features (25% of final scoring)
Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final scoring)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final scoring)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)
Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final scoring)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.
Core Features
Donor Management: Blackbaud offers a comprehensive donor management system that helps you track donations and maintain donor relationships. Its detailed reporting tools enable you to analyze giving patterns and engage donors effectively.
Event Management: Plan and execute events seamlessly with Blackbaud's integrated tools. You can handle registrations, track attendance, and manage logistics all in one place.
Membership Tracking: Keep your congregation's information organized and accessible. Blackbaud allows you to track member involvement, attendance, and personal details effortlessly.
Financial Reporting: Blackbaud's financial tools help your team manage budgets and generate accurate reports. This feature ensures transparency and accountability in your financial operations.
Volunteer Coordination: Organize and manage your volunteer activities efficiently. Blackbaud lets you schedule shifts, track hours, and communicate with volunteers easily.
Communication Tools: Engage with your community through Blackbaud's communication features. You can send newsletters, updates, and personalized messages to keep everyone informed.
Ease of Use
Blackbaud offers a solid user experience, though its extensive feature set can feel overwhelming initially. Users often find the interface less intuitive compared to simpler solutions, which may require some time to master. However, once you're familiar with the layout, the powerful tools and customization options can significantly enhance your team's efficiency. Its detailed help resources and support can assist you in navigating any initial challenges.
Blackbaud Specs
- API
- Calendar Management
- Contact Management
- Dashboards
- Data Export
- Data Import
- Document Management
- External Integrations
- Multi-User
- Notifications
- Payment Gateway Integration
- Scheduling
- Workflow Management
Alternatives to Blackbaud
Blackbaud Frequently Asked Questions
How can Blackbaud help improve donor engagement?
Blackbaud gives you powerful tools to track donor activity and spot giving trends. These insights help you communicate more personally and strengthen relationships with your supporters. Its reporting features also make it easy to see what’s working in your outreach and where you can grow.
Is Blackbaud suitable for small churches?
Blackbaud offers a lot, but it might be more than a small church needs. Its tools are best suited for larger congregations or ministries with more complex operations. If your church is smaller, think carefully about whether you’ll actually use the advanced features before making the investment.
How does Blackbaud handle data security and compliance?
Blackbaud takes data security seriously, so your church’s information stays protected. It follows industry standards, with features like encryption and secure access controls. You can trust the platform to handle your data with care and integrity.faqs
What kind of customer support can I expect from Blackbaud?
Blackbaud offers support through phone, email, and an online help center. Their team knows the platform well and responds quickly when issues come up. If something breaks or you need help, you won’t be left figuring it out alone.
Can Blackbaud be customized to fit my church's needs?
Yes, Blackbaud offers customization options to match your church’s specific requirements. You can tailor dashboards, reports, and workflows to suit your operations. This flexibility enables you to focus on the most relevant data and processes.
How long does it take to onboard new users?
Getting started with Blackbaud takes some time, mainly because of how much it can do. But the platform offers helpful guides and support to walk your team through the setup. With a bit of upfront effort, you’ll be better positioned for long-term success.
How does Blackbaud support event management?
Blackbaud gives you the tools to plan and manage church events from start to finish. You can handle registrations, track attendance, and coordinate logistics—all in one place. It helps simplify the process so your team can stay focused and your events run smoothly.
What are the main benefits of using Blackbaud for financial management?
Blackbaud gives you the tools to manage your church’s finances with confidence. You can track budgets, run detailed reports, and keep things transparent for your leadership and congregation. It’s built to help you steward your resources well.
Blackbaud Company Overview & History
Blackbaud, Inc., founded in 1981, is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and specializes in cloud computing solutions for nonprofits and educational institutions. Employing around 3,200 people, Blackbaud is known for products like Raiser’s Edge, a fundraising database. The company reported revenues of $1.06 billion in 2022 and has grown significantly through acquisitions. Blackbaud also emphasizes corporate philanthropy and faced a notable cyber attack in 2020, resulting in a $49.5 million settlement in 2023.
Blackbaud Major Milestones
What's Next?
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