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Blackbaud, Inc.

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FY2017 Annual Report · Blackbaud, Inc.
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2017 Annual Report

Included in the 2017 Annual Report:
Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on
February 20, 2018

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2017

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________________ to ___________________.

Commission file number: 000-50600

Blackbaud, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

11-2617163
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2000 Daniel Island Drive
Charleston, South Carolina 29492
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(843) 216-6200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value

Name of Each Exchange on which Registered

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global Select Market)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES  

    NO  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES  

  NO  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been 
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES  

    NO  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data 
File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES  

    NO  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained 
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference 
in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, 
or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging 
growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer    

Non-accelerated filer      

 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Accelerated filer                      

Smaller reporting company    

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying 
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES  

  NO  

The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2017 (based on the closing 
sale price of $85.75 on that date) was approximately $2,727,937,653. Common stock held by each officer and director and by each person 
known to the registrant who owned 10% or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed 
to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 5, 2018 was 48,078,048.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders currently scheduled to be held June 12, 
2018 are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof. Such definitive Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
no later than 120 days after the conclusion of the registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

PART I.

Item 1.

Business

Item 1A. Risk factors
Item 1B. Unresolved staff comments
Item 2.

Properties

Legal proceedings

Item 3.
Item 4. Mine safety disclosures

PART II.

Item 5. Market for registrant's common equity, related stockholder matters and issuer purchases of equity 

securities

Item 6.

Selected financial data

Item 7. Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

Item 7A. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

Item 8.

Financial statements and supplementary data

Item 9. Changes in and disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure

Item 9A. Controls and procedures

Item 9B. Other information

PART III.

Item 10. Directors, executive officers and corporate governance

Item 11. Executive compensation

Item 12. Security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters

Item 13. Certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence

Item 14. Principal accountant fees and services

PART IV.

Item 15. Exhibits and financial statement schedules

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

SIGNATURES

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2017 Form 10-K

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Blackbaud, Inc.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the documents incorporated herein by reference, contains forward-looking 
statements that anticipate results based on our estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These 
"forward-looking statements" are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform 
Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements consist of, among other things, trend analyses, statements regarding 
future events, future financial performance, our anticipated growth, the effect of general economic and market conditions, 
our business strategy and our plan to build and grow our business, our operating results, our ability to successfully integrate 
acquired businesses and technologies, the effect of foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations on our 
financial results, the impact of expensing stock-based compensation, the sufficiency of our capital resources, our ability to 
meet our ongoing debt and obligations as they become due, the degree of our data security procedures, and potential 
litigation  involving  us,  all  of  which  are  based  on  current  expectations,  estimates,  and  forecasts,  and  the  beliefs  and 
assumptions of our management. Words such as “believes,” “seeks,” “expects,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “intends,” 
“could,” “would,” “likely,” “will,” “targets,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “projects,” “estimates,” or any variations 
of such words and similar expressions are also intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking 
statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Accordingly, they should not be 
viewed as assurances of future performance, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed 
in any forward-looking statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations expressed in forward-looking 
statements include, but are not limited to, those summarized under “Item 1A. Risk factors” and elsewhere in this report 
and in our other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of 
the  date  of  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K.  We  undertake  no  obligation  to  update  or  revise  any  forward-looking 
statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking 
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

PART I.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Description of Business

We are the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—
nonprofits,  foundations,  corporations,  education  institutions,  healthcare  institutions  and  individual  change  agents—
Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through software, services, expertise, and data 
intelligence. Blackbaud brings more than three decades of leadership to this sector: since originally incorporating in New 
York in 1981 and later reincorporating as a South Carolina corporation in 1991 and as a Delaware corporation in 2004, 
our tailored portfolio of software and services has grown to support the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions 
for  fundraising  and  constituent  relationship  management  ("CRM"),  marketing,  advocacy,  accounting,  peer-to-peer 
fundraising, corporate social responsibility ("CSR"), school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, 
payment processing and analytics. Our solutions are designed to meet the needs of virtually all types of organizations in 
the social good community, from major global institutions to local soup kitchens. At the end of 2017, we had over 40,000
customers located in over 50 countries. We are deeply proud to play a part in our customers’ successes in their missions 
to cure diseases, advance education, preserve and share arts and culture, help animals, support those in need and more.

Market Overview

The philanthropic industry is significant, and our addressable market is substantial and growing

In the U.S. alone, there were approximately 1.6 million nonprofit organizations registered with the Internal Revenue Service 
in 2016, which includes nonprofit organizations, education institutions and healthcare institutions. Worldwide, there are 
millions more organizations in this space. Corporations and foundations are also active participants in the social good 
community, and billions of individuals will donate funds, volunteer their time, advocate for a cause or otherwise engage 
with social good organizations. According to Giving USA, donations made to U.S. nonprofit organizations in 2016 were 
$390 billion, amounting to 2.1% of U.S. GDP, a 2.7% increase from 2015. The average annual rate of change in total 
giving dollars over the last 40 years was 6.7%.

Our estimated current total addressable market ("TAM") is $8.2 billion. This includes an expansion into new and near 
adjacencies  in  2017  from  our  acquisitions  of  AcademicWorks,  Inc.  ("AcademicWorks")  which  supports  scholarship 
management, within the education market, and Giving Limited ("JustGiving"), which supports personal crowdfunding 
capabilities for individuals.

Traditional methods of fundraising and organizational management are often costly and inefficient

Many nonprofits use manual methods or stand-alone software applications not specifically designed for fundraising and 
organizational  management  for  institutions  like  theirs.  Such  methods  are  often  costly  and  inefficient  because  of  the 
difficulties in effectively collecting, sharing, and using donation-related information. Furthermore, general purpose software 
applications  frequently  have  limited  functionality  and  do  not  efficiently  integrate  multiple  databases.  Some  nonprofit 
organizations have developed proprietary software, but doing so is expensive, requiring on-site technical personnel for 
development, implementation and maintenance. 

2017 Form 10-K

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Blackbaud, Inc.

The nonprofit industry faces particular operational challenges

Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and healthcare institutions must efficiently:

• 

Solicit funds and build relationships with major donors;

•  Garner small cash contributions from numerous contributors;

•  Manage and develop complex relationships with large numbers of constituents;

•  Advocate for policies and behaviors that advance their cause or institution;

•  Communicate their accomplishments and the importance of their mission online and offline;

•  Comply with complex accounting, tax and reporting requirements that differ from those for traditional businesses;

• 

• 

• 

Solicit cash and in-kind contributions from businesses to help raise money or deliver products and services;

Provide a wide array of programs and services to individual constituents and beneficiaries; and

Improve the data collection and information sharing capabilities of their employees, volunteers and donors by 
creating and providing distributed access to centralized databases.

Because of these challenges, we believe nonprofits, healthcare institutions and educational institutions can benefit from 
software applications and services specifically designed to serve their particular needs and workflows to grow revenue, 
work effectively and accomplish their missions.

Corporations, grant making institutions and foundations also face unique challenges

Corporations, grant making institutions and foundations, face their own unique challenges, including the need to:

•  Quantify and improve the impact of their grants; 

•  Cultivate better relationships with grantees; 

•  Achieve better internal collaboration and alignment with board members, reviewers and other stakeholders;

• 

• 

• 

Illustrate the impact of their corporate philanthropy efforts to the communities they serve;

Engage employees in meaningful volunteering, giving and other activities; 

Ensure that their philanthropic efforts align with their business initiatives; 

•  Manage all of a foundation's activities, including fundraising and accounting;

• 

Expand the reach of their fundraising efforts; and

•  Cultivate new and existing donors.

Strategy

Our objective is to maintain and extend our position as a leading provider of cloud software and services for the global 
social good community, supporting their missions from fundraising to delivering outcomes. Our key strategies for achieving 
this objective are to:

Delight our customers

We intend to make our customers' experience with us effective, efficient and satisfying from their initial interest in our 
solutions and services through their decision to purchase, engage with customer support and utilize solution enhancements. 
We continue to focus on initiatives aimed at improving the consistency and quality of user experience across the offerings 
we provide to our customers. We continue to evolve the manner in which we package and sell our offerings to provide 
high quality and value combined with flexibility to meet the different needs of our existing and prospective customers. For 
example, we have increased the number of our cloud solutions sold under a subscription pricing model, which can make 
it easier for customers to purchase our solutions. In addition, we are continuing to integrate value-adding capabilities such 
as payment services, analytics and business intelligence into our suite of solutions to better address our customers' needs 

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2017 Form 10-K

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with comprehensive offerings. We will continue to focus on providing the highest level of solution support, enhancing our 
existing solutions and developing new solutions and services designed to help our customers to be more effective and 
achieve their missions.

Execute on our Four-Point Growth Strategy

During 2017, we continued to execute on our four-point growth strategy targeted to drive an extended period of solution 
and service innovation, quality enhancement, increasing operating efficiency and financial performance:

1. 

Integrated and Open Solutions in the Cloud

We will continue to transition our business to predominantly serve customers through a subscription-based cloud 
delivery model, enabling lower cost of entry, greater scalability and lower total cost of ownership to our customers. 
There is a concerted effort underway to optimize our portfolio of solutions and integrate powerful capabilities — such 
as built-in data, analytics, payment services and tailored user-specific experiences — to bring even greater value and 
performance to our customers.

During 2017, we introduced SKY AI™ and SKY Analytics™, the intelligence engine behind the growing number of 
insights  integrated  into  Blackbaud  cloud  software  solutions,  powered  by  artificial  intelligence  including  machine 
learning, cognitive technology, predictive analytics and other advanced technologies. With SKY AI and SKY Analytics, 
we  are  enabling  data-driven  decisions  by  pairing  one  of  the  industry's  largest  data  sets  with  an  advanced  set  of 
integrated AI capabilities, ultimately having greater impact on our customers and their missions. For example, Affluence 
Insight, a new donor management segmentation tool enables the identification of annual, mid-level and major gift 
prospects. It offers the ability to use AI-powered analytics to identify high-value donor prospects and predict a prospect's 
likelihood to give. These embedded intelligence capabilities are one outcome of Blackbaud's Intelligence for Good™ 
approach — combining AI, Analytics and big data and expertise to drive insight for our customers across our solution 
portfolio.

We also made several portfolio announcements during 2017, ranging from solution integrations, to new capabilities 
for existing solutions, to new solution introductions.

2.  Drive Sales Effectiveness

We  are  making  investments  to  increase  the  effectiveness  of  our  sales  organization,  with  a  focus  on  enabling  our 
expanding sales teams with the talent, processes and tools to accelerate our revenue growth and improve effectiveness. 
In  2017,  we  created  a  new  Senior  Vice  President  of  Global  Sales  position  to  lead  sales  effectiveness  across  the 
organization. We continued to make investments in our sales, marketing and customer success organizations and 
improved our market coverage by deploying these resources into key markets, while bifurcating sales to focus on either 
finding new customers or cultivating existing customers. In addition, we are continuing to optimize our go-to-market 
sales strategies such as offering solutions and services tailored to the needs of customers operating within vertical 
markets including K-12 private schools, foundations, higher education and healthcare institutions, among others. Our 
sales teams are now fully running and managed on a common sales operating model. This includes common procedures, 
training, key operating metrics, compensation plans and reporting, which is driving increased productivity.

3.  Expand TAM into Near Adjacencies with Acquisitions and Product Investments

We will continue to evaluate compelling opportunities to acquire companies and acquire or build technologies and 
services. We will be guided by our acquisition criteria for considering attractive assets that expand our total addressable 
market ("TAM"), provide entry into new and near adjacencies, accelerate our shift to the cloud, accelerate revenue 
growth, are accretive to margins and present synergistic opportunities. 

In 2017, we launched Blackbaud Labs as a means to incubate new ideas and foster our strong culture of innovation 
and creativity, with the sole focus of bringing new capabilities to market organically. We also announced the promotion 
of our new Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development, who led the effort for many of 
our acquisitions, including AcademicWorks and JustGiving.

2017 Form 10-K

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Blackbaud, Inc.

4. 

Improve Operating Efficiency

We have largely completed the installations of best-in-breed back-office solutions that consolidate and standardize 
our business operations utilizing scalable tools and systems. Our focus is now shifting towards optimizing those systems, 
as  well  as  operational  excellence  and  quality  initiatives  focused  on  streamlining  processes  to  gain  efficiency  and 
scalability. Our organizational model, which we have evolved over the last few years, is largely complete and allows 
us to gain efficiency and consistency in how we execute. We have centralized our operations, including marketing, 
sustained engineering, product management, finance, customer support, customer success and professional services, 
which allows us to better manage the entire customer experience. 

During 2017, in an effort to improve operating efficiency and further our organizational objectives, we also initiated 
a plan to relocate some of our existing offices to highly modern and more collaborative workspaces with short-term 
financial commitments. These workspaces are also more centrally located for our employees and closer to our customers.

Attract Top Talent and Actively Engage Employee Base

Our customer's passion is our purpose, and we have incredible customers whose missions make the world a better place 
for all of us. Driven by this purpose, our employees come to work every day knowing they can make a real difference with 
our customers, and thus the world. Collaboration, innovation and high standards are core to our culture and help enable 
the great work we do. We strive to hire the best employees and provide a workplace where their talents and potential are 
realized. Our employees' engagement is a focus of every leader at Blackbaud, and we continually work to understand what 
matters and to make our workplace better. We believe people with a passion for purpose can join our team and have a 
unique career experience. Our leaders are committed to our employees' personal and career development and continually 
work to improve the training and tools provided to their teams.    

Build our Reputation as an Industry Thought Leader 

In our 36 years of experience in the philanthropic market, we have gained significant insight into the market and industry 
segments in which we operate. We produce a wide range of thought leadership materials, including blogs, monthly indices 
and white papers, which provide insights and guidance to the social good community. We also participate in a number of 
industry forums where we exchange views and engage with industry and governmental leaders. Our annual user conference, 
bbcon™,  is  used  in  part  as  a  forum  to  offer  thought  leadership  to  our  customers,  as  are  other  market  specific  user 
conferences such as our annual K-12 conference. We intend to expand these activities and further build our reputation as 
a thought leader within the industry. Additionally, the Blackbaud Institute for Philanthropic Impact brings together the 
best minds in philanthropy to develop and share leading-edge research and insight that accelerates the impact of the social 
good community.  The research and reports the Blackbaud Institute produces serve to strengthen the social good community 
as a whole.

Change in Reportable Segments

Operating Structure

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2017, our three market groups, the General Markets Group ("GMG"), the Enterprise Markets 
Group ("EMG"), and the International Markets Group ("IMG"), represented our three operating and reportable segments. 
As is discussed above, we have centralized our business operations over the last few years to allow us to gain productivity, 
efficiency and scalability. Areas of our operations we have centralized, include, but are not limited to, marketing, finance, 
sales excellence, human resources, corporate IT, legal and contracting, real estate and facilities, research and development, 
customer  support,  customer  success,  product  management,  professional  services  and  training  services.  With  our 
organizational model now largely complete, we made changes to our internal reporting structure in the fourth quarter of 
2017 to better support and assess the operations of our business going forward. As a result, commencing with the fourth 
quarter of 2017, a measure of profitability is no longer available at the market group level and our chief operating decision 
maker now uses consolidated financial information to make operating decisions, assess financial performance and allocate 
resources. Our chief operating decision maker is our chief executive officer ("CEO"). We assessed the resulting effect on 
our operating segments, reportable segments, as well as our reporting units for annual goodwill impairment testing, and 
determined that we now have one operating segment, one reportable segment and one reporting unit. We have restated 
prior period financial information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect this change. 

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Solutions and Services

We offer a full spectrum of cloud and on-premises solutions, as well as a resource network that empowers and connects 
organizations of all sizes. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for 
fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, 
ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing and analytics. We offer the social good community 
complete solutions to advance their missions with the market-leading CRM system and online engagement platforms, 
backed by our analytic services, which deliver insights powered by the world's most robust philanthropic data set. In most 
cases, the core of our solution portfolio centers around a CRM system, which seamlessly integrates with other applications 
to help our customers conduct activities vital to advancing their missions, such as managing finances, analyzing prospects 
and market data, effectively communicating with current and prospective supporters and promoting their cause online 
and offline. Our solutions can be combined with a range of consulting, training and professional services, maintenance 
and technical support, as well as payment processing, analytic and business intelligence services. In addition, we offer 
solutions  that  span  the  full  spectrum  of  giving  activities,  including  CSR  programs,  grant  management,  employee 
involvement, foundation management and other philanthropic activities.

Our specific solutions and services include:

Fundraising and Engagement

Raiser's Edge NXT® is our flagship smart cloud fundraising and relationship management solution. Raiser's Edge NXT is 
the first and only cloud fundraising and relationship management solution that is all-inclusive, fully integrated with data, 
analytics, payment processing and tailored user-specific experiences. Leveraging Blackbaud SKY®, our modern, integrated 
and open cloud, it is, we believe, the most advanced technology available that enables nonprofits to operate more efficiently 
and raise more support for their missions.

Blackbaud CRM™ is a comprehensive, customizable fundraising and relationship management solution. It is our lead 
offering  for  enterprise-level  organizations  seeking  a  powerful,  yet  adaptable  solution  for  fundraising,  marketing,  and 
program management across the engagement lifecycle, specializing in supporting sophisticated major giving, membership 
and high volume direct marketing programs. Blackbaud CRM helps organizations build deeper and more personalized 
relationships with constituents, build their brand through online engagement and multichannel communication tools, and 
more effectively fundraise, leveraging campaign management, business intelligence and analytics. Blackbaud CRM can be 
sold as an integrated solution with our enterprise online solutions to enable multi-channel marketing, online engagement 
and event fundraising.

Luminate® CRM is our Salesforce-based CRM offering for nonprofits and is sold as a single integrated solution with 
Luminate Online. Luminate CRM is built on the Salesforce.com cloud computing application platform and offers nonprofits 
an extensible suite via the Salesforce App Exchange for consolidating information and business processes into one system. 
The  core  components  of  Luminate  CRM  are  campaign  management,  constituent  relations,  business  intelligence  and 
analytics.  When  combined  with  Luminate  Online,  it  provides  best-in-class  functionality  to  help  nonprofits  with  online 
fundraising, peer-to-peer event fundraising, payment processing, email marketing, advocacy and website management.

eTapestry®  is  a  simple,  cloud  fundraising  and  donor  management  solution  built  specifically  for  smaller,  developing 
nonprofits in need of a cloud solution to support basic fundraising needs. It offers nonprofit organizations a cost-effective 
way to manage donors, process gifts, create reports, accept online donations and communicate with constituents. This 
technology provides a system that is simple to maintain, efficient to operate and is intuitively easy to learn without extensive 
training.

everydayhero® is an innovative, cloud crowdfundraising solution designed to meet the peer-to-peer fundraising needs 
of nonprofits' supporters. It is a leading donor acquisition tool, and helps nonprofits connect with a younger, more online-
focused generation of donors, a first step in helping nonprofits develop long-term relationships with their supporters. 
Founded in Australia, where it is a market leader, everydayhero is now sold throughout Europe and the U.S. With recent 
integrations with fitness applications such as Strava and MapMyFitness, everydayhero continues to enhance the fundraising 
landscape by providing millions across the globe the chance to easily integrate fitness and philanthropy.

JustGiving™ is one of the world's leading social platforms for giving. JustGiving develops world-class technology and 
innovative tools to connect people with the causes they care about.  By making giving more simple, social and rewarding, 
JustGiving helps all causes, charities and people in need to reach more people and raise more money.

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Blackbaud, Inc.

Luminate Online™, delivered in the cloud, helps our customers better understand their online supporters, make the right 
ask  at  the  right  time,  and  raise  money  online.  It  includes  tools  to  build  online  fundraising  campaigns  as  part  of  an 
organization's  existing  website  or  as  a  stand-alone  fundraising  site.  Donation  forms,  gift  processing,  and  tools  for 
communicating through web pages and email give our customers the essentials for building sustainable donor relationships. 
Customers can also purchase additional modules including TeamRaiser, a solution within events management that allows 
nonprofits' constituents to create personal or team fundraising web pages and send email donation appeals in support of 
events such as walks, runs and rides.

Blackbaud Online Express™ is a simple, cloud fundraising and marketing tool designed for smaller nonprofit organizations 
using Raiser’s Edge. It provides nonprofits with easy-to-use features and functionality such as email marketing, donation 
forms, event registrations, and dashboard metrics.

Blackbaud NetCommunity™ is an online marketing and communications tool that enables organizations that utilize 
Raiser's  Edge  software  to  build  interactive  websites  and  manage  email  marketing  campaigns.  With  Blackbaud 
NetCommunity,  organizations  can,  among  other  things,  establish  online  communities  for  social  networking  among 
constituents and also provide a platform for online giving, membership purchases and event registration. Because Blackbaud 
NetCommunity requires a Raiser's Edge database to operate, it can only be sold with Raiser's Edge or to existing Raiser's 
Edge customers.

Financial Management

Financial Edge NXT® is the first-of-its-kind cloud accounting solution for nonprofits that is intuitive, fully integrated, and 
built the way nonprofits need it on our modern Blackbaud SKY cloud architecture. Financial Edge NXT is advanced technology 
with powerful reporting tools to help accounting teams drive transparency, stewardship, and compliance while enabling 
them to seamlessly manage transactions and eliminate manual processes. It seamlessly integrates with Raiser's Edge NXT 
to simplify gift entry processing and relates information from both systems in an informative manner to eliminate redundant 
tasks and manual processes. Financial Edge NXT provides nonprofit organizations with the means to help manage fiscal 
and fiduciary responsibility, enabling them to be more accountable to their constituents.

Grant Management

GIFTS Online® is a cloud solution built with core functions that provide comprehensive grant making capabilities, but 
with many additional capabilities and features, such as visual dashboards. It has a modern user interface, is user friendly, 
and can be highly personalized.

FIMS™ is a fully-integrated foundation management system that helps community foundations, faith-based organizations 
and education and scholarship programs manage grants, finances and donors in one centralized, comprehensive system. 
It features an open, customizable framework that helps community foundations manage everything from donors, gifts 
and investments to grants, grantees, funds and financials.

Blackbaud Outcomes™ empowers funders and nonprofits to collaborate around their intended program outcomes and 
work together to achieve impact. The cloud software helps users define and measure their outcomes, allowing them to 
track the effectiveness of their programs, make informed decisions, better understand the impact of their social investments, 
and tell an impact story using ROI-focused results and a common outcomes measurement language.

K-12 Schools and Higher Education

onMessage® is a content management system that gives schools the flexibility to build and edit webpages, with easy 
access to content types including photos, videos, downloads, text and more. It allows users to share material and contribute 
content across an entire school community.

onRecord® makes it easy for schools to manage schedules, transcripts and GPAs. A new Student Information System that 
works directly with onCampus (LMS), onRecord simplifies the process of sharing student data and academic records securely.

onCampus® is a learning management system that makes it easy to manage, connect, and share information with students, 
parents, and an entire school community. Developed with direct input from our customers, onCampus gives teachers the 
tools to meet the demands of a modern private school.

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onBoard® is an enrollment management system that simplifies a school’s admissions process. onBoard helps admissions 
teams and prospective families manage and track their progress, from inquiry and application through acceptance and 
enrollment.

Smart Tuition® benefits schools by giving administrators better access to financial data and payment services, and by 
giving parents more ways to remit tuition payments. The solution helps ease the burden for administrative staff by offering 
invoicing, payment processing, customer service, enhanced communication with parents and later payer follow-up services.

Smart Aid™ offers schools the ability to accept online, customized applications for financial aid and to make better financial 
aid decisions with a proprietary Hobbies, Interest and Lifestyles ("HIL") profile. The HIL profile provides in-depth information 
on an applicant, delivering to the school a way to make more informed decisions on how they distribute financial aid 
awards.

AcademicWorks®  is  a  comprehensive,  integrated  scholarship  management  platform  for  higher  education  and  K-12 
institutions and foundations, allowing students to apply for all awards using one intuitive and streamlined application 
process and eliminating many time consuming administrative tasks.  This leads to improved awarding, reporting, compliance, 
communication and stewardship.

Arts and Cultural

Altru® is a cloud solution that helps arts and cultural organizations consolidate admissions, membership, fundraising, 
merchandise, marketing and more, giving users a comprehensive view of their supporters. By helping general admissions 
arts  and  cultural  organizations  gain  a  clear,  360-degree  view  of  their  organization,  it  enables  them  to  operate  more 
efficiently,  engage  and  cultivate  patrons  and  supporters,  streamline  external  and  internal  communication  efforts,  and 
reduce IT costs. Altru contains tools for constituent and membership management, program sales, retail sales and ticketing, 
volunteer management, and events management. It also has sophisticated reporting functionality and tools to manage 
marketing, communications and fundraising.

Corporate Social Responsibility

AngelPoints® is an integrated CSR solution that helps corporations mobilize the collective power of their employees to 
make a positive impact on their people, their company, and the world. AngelPoints contains modules that help companies 
manage employee volunteer and giving programs.

Analytics

Our analytics offerings provide comprehensive solutions for donor acquisition, prospect research, data enrichment and 
performance management, enabling nonprofits to define effective campaign strategies and maximize fundraising results. 
These  services  either  integrate  with  or  are  already  integrated  into  our  software  solutions  to  give  our  customers  a 
comprehensive view of their supporters and the market and provide information essential to making well-informed operating 
decisions.

Blackbaud’s Intelligence for Good™ is a unique, comprehensive approach through which we combine artificial intelligence, 
analytics, big data, and expertise in cloud-based services and other channels. This powerful approach enables social good 
organizations to transform data into insights.

Our analytics offerings include subscription solutions and services within the following areas: 

Donor Acquisition - Our donor acquisition solutions leverage unique data assets to create acquisition mailing lists and 
predictive  models  that  identify  donor  populations  that  meet  the  affinity,  value  and  response  criteria  of  our  nonprofit 
customers. Nonprofit organizations use our prospect lists to solicit gifts and other support.

Prospect Research - Our prospect research solutions include: custom data modeling that delivers critical information on 
a prospect's likelihood to make a gift to an organization; wealth screenings that deliver detailed wealth information and 
giving capacity data on prospects; and web-based prospect management software that combines public data with donor 
information from a nonprofit's database to build a complete view of prospects for targeting and securing gifts.

Data Enrichment - Our data enrichment solutions enhance the quality of the data in our customers' databases. These 
solutions include: identifying outdated address files in the database and making corrections based on United States Postal 

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Blackbaud, Inc.

Service data, as well as appending data by using known fields in an organization's constituent records to search and identify 
key demographic and contact information.

Performance  Management  -  Our  performance  management  solutions  create  relevant  and  insightful  reports  that 
benchmark performance and illustrate key industry trends based on performance attributes provided by our nonprofit 
customers. Nonprofit organizations use our performance and industry analysis reports to assess marketing and operational 
effectiveness and also to influence operational planning.

Payment Services

Our solutions provide our customers payment processing capabilities that enable their donors to make donations and 
purchase goods and services using numerous payment options, including credit card and automated clearing house (“ACH”) 
checking transactions, through secure online transactions. Blackbaud Merchant Services is a value-added service integrated 
with our solutions that makes credit card processing simple and secure. Customers are charged one rate for credit card 
transactions, making Blackbaud Merchant Services a competitive option. The service also provides customers with a payment 
card industry (“PCI”) compliant process and streamlined bank reconciliation. As discussed above, we also provide our K-12 
private school customers with student tuition payment processing services.

Customer Success

Our Customer Success organization is responsible for managing the business and technical relationship with our customers. 
Their mission is to develop and foster relationships within all levels of the customer organization to build more demonstrated 
value in our solutions and services. Customer Success Managers ("CSMs") work to proactively communicate to drive overall 
satisfaction and retention of our customer's business. At every point of communication, they work to collect and analyze 
actionable information that can be used to make their experience positive and consistent. Their goal is to partner with 
customers to ensure that they are fully engaged and have an advocate within Blackbaud who works to meet their needs. 
CSMs bring industry knowledge and expertise to the customer relationship and strive to help our customers achieve positive 
growth and outcomes. 

Customer Support & Maintenance

Most customers that purchase our solutions also enroll in one of our support and maintenance programs. For many of our 
cloud-based subscription solutions, customer support is automatically included as part of the solution. Customers enrolled 
in  the  programs  enjoy  fast,  reliable  customer  support,  receive  regular  software  updates,  stay  up-to-date  with  regular 
communication and have unlimited, around-the-clock access to support resources, including our extensive knowledgebase 
and forums. Customers who enroll in upgraded support and maintenance plans receive enhanced benefits such as call 
support priority and dedicated support resources.

Professional and Managed Services

Our  expert  consultants  provide  data  conversion,  implementation  and  customization  services  for  each  of  our  software 
solutions.  These services include:

• 

System implementation;

•  Data conversion, business process analysis and application customization; 

•  Database merging and enrichment, and secure credit card transaction processing;

•  Database production activities; and

•  Website design services.

In addition, we apply our industry knowledge and experience, combined with expert knowledge of our solutions, to evaluate 
an organization's needs and consult on how to improve a business process.

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Training

We provide a variety of onsite, instructor-led online and on-demand training services to our customers relating to the use 
of our solutions and application of best practices. Our instructors have extensive training in the use of our solutions and 
present course material that is designed to include hands-on lab exercises, as well as course materials with examples and 
problems to solve.

Customers

At the end of 2017, we had over 40,000 customers including nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, 
healthcare organizations and other charitable giving entities. Our largest single customer accounted for approximately 1%
of our 2017 consolidated revenue.

Sales and Marketing

The  majority  of  our  solutions  and  related  services  are  sold  through  our  direct  sales  force.  Our  direct  sales  force  is 
complemented by a team of account development representatives responsible for sales lead generation and qualification. 
These sales and marketing professionals are primarily located throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada 
and Australia. As of December 31, 2017, we had 434 direct sales employees. We plan to continue expanding our direct 
sales force in the Americas, Europe and Australia as our operations grow internationally and market demand increases.

We generally begin a customer relationship with the sale of one of our cloud solutions, such as Raiser's Edge NXT, and 
then offer additional solutions and services to the customer as the organization's needs increase.

We conduct marketing programs to create brand recognition and market awareness for our solutions and services. Our 
marketing  efforts  include  participation  at  tradeshows,  technical  conferences  and  technology  seminars,  publication  of 
technical and educational articles in industry journals and preparation of competitive analyses. Our customers and strategic 
partners provide references and recommendations that we often feature in our advertising and promotional activities.

We believe relationships with third parties can enhance our sales and marketing efforts. We have and will continue to 
establish  additional  relationships  with  companies  that  provide  services  to  the  nonprofit  industry,  such  as  consultants, 
educators, publishers, financial service providers, complementary technology providers and data providers.  These companies 
promote or complement our nonprofit solutions and provide us access to new customers.

Corporate Philanthropy and Volunteerism

Blackbaud operates under a fundamental belief that the world would be better if good took over. The company is an active 
participant in the ecosystem of good, working to drive positive change both through what we do as a business and how 
we serve individually. We offer an array of philanthropy programs aimed at engaging our employees as agents of good, 
including  matching  gifts,  competitive  grants  that  honor  excellent  examples  of  volunteerism,  employee-led  grants 
committees, skills-based volunteerism initiatives, as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics focused 
community programs. Blackbaud attracts people who are committed to service, with 86% saying our focus on nonprofits 
was a driver in their decision to join the company, 85% actively serving as volunteers and 25% serving on a nonprofit 
board or committee.

Competition

The market for software and related services in the nonprofit sector is competitive and highly fragmented. For certain areas 
of the market, entry barriers are low, as general tools for small businesses can usually be configured to manage the most 
basic marketing, contact management, and accounting needs of nonprofits. However, once basic needs are met, programs 
unique to nonprofits like fundraising, gift and grant management, and peer-to-peer activism require highly specialized 
tools that are more complex to build or customize out of general business software. Moreover, because nonprofits rely 
heavily on relationships with and among their supporters, integration of these systems drives value beyond mere efficiency. 
Hence, we believe our experience, the full spectrum of our current solutions and our ability to deliver on future solutions 
makes  us  a  strong  competitor.  We  expect  to  continue  to  see  new  competitors  as  the  market  matures  and  nonprofit 
organizations rely more heavily on technology to manage emerging revenue channels and increasingly complex operations.

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Blackbaud, Inc.

Our competition falls into four primary categories: (1) niche products that are tailored to specialized needs; (2) vertical-
specific solutions; (3) general business software that can be configured to manage some nonprofit-specific processes; and 
(4) consumer-oriented fundraising platforms.

Niche products are usually developed as a solution for a single problem at an organization and are adopted by similar 
organizations to solve a specialized need. These are typically offered by vendors who may have deep industry expertise but 
may not have the resources to expand beyond a specialized area. We believe we compete against these solutions by offering 
a set of integrated solutions rather than a single point solution, which we believe improves the overall customer experience. 
In addition, our open platform allows integration to specialized applications so the opportunity for disruption from these 
competitors is minimized.

Vertical-specific solutions are offered by competitors seeking to meet the enterprise-wide needs of a specific sub-segment 
of nonprofits. Typically, these solutions are offered by vendors who may offer either a point solution or integrated suite 
of products used by a vertical. We believe we compete successfully against these competitors through a combination of 
our integrated suite of offerings within verticals where we compete, offering solutions with market leading robustness as 
well as the scale, reach, and reputation of our organization.

General business software vendors such as Salesforce.com and Oracle, compete with us in certain areas of our business. 
However, they generally do not have nonprofit specific focus and, therefore, do not offer or intend to offer nonprofit-
specific versions. As these products are also not easily customized, the adoption of general business software is limited to 
nonprofits with very basic operations and simple needs. We believe our solutions compete successfully against general 
business software as a nonprofit’s needs grow more complex. There is a subset of general business software competitors 
who  have  introduced  nonprofit-specific  versions  of  their  products.  We  believe  that  because  these  products  were  not 
originally designed to support the specific needs of nonprofits, they are not yet capable of meeting market needs without 
significant  customization.  As  a  result,  we  believe  we  are  able  to  compete  successfully  to  meet  nonprofit-specific 
requirements, often integrating with general business platforms used for their more generalized operations.

Consumer-oriented fundraising platforms such as GoFundMe and Virgin Money Giving compete with our business where 
consumers raise funds directly. To drive adoption of their platforms, these vendors rely on a combination of direct-to-
consumer marketing, marketing to nonprofits who in turn market to their supporters, and marketing to intermediate 
entities such as an event sponsor who will market to participants. We believe we compete well in this market through a 
combination of positive brand recognition among all three of these groups and the strength of our consumer-oriented 
tools relative to those of the competition.

Less frequently, we compete with providers of traditional, non-automated fundraising service providers, including parties 
providing  services  in  support  of  traditional  direct  mail  or  email  campaigns,  special  events  fundraising,  peer  to  peer, 
telemarketing and personal solicitations. We believe we compete successfully against these traditional fundraising service 
providers, primarily because our solutions and services are more automated, more robust, more tailored to the needs of 
nonprofit organization and more efficient.

Research and Development

We have made substantial investments in research and development and expect to continue to do so as a part of our 
strategy to introduce additional innovative solutions and services. As of December 31, 2017, we had 669 employees working 
on research and development. Our research and development expenses for 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $89.9 million, 
$89.9  million  and  $84.6  million,  respectively.  In  addition,  we  had  cash  outlays  for  qualifying  capitalized  software 
development costs during 2017, 2016 and 2015 of $28.3 million, $26.4 million and $15.5 million, respectively. We plan 
to continue significantly investing in the innovation of our portfolio of solutions and services.

Technology and Architecture

Our cloud technology, SKY, combines the latest in cloud platform and infrastructure, leading edge development processes, 
and a modern and open micro service-oriented architecture, and is the foundation for all of our next generation solutions. 
The first of our solutions shipped were Raiser's Edge NXT and Financial Edge NXT, but virtually all new capabilities are 
being developed on top of the SKY platform. One component of SKY, SKY API®, gives customers, partners and other 
application  developers  access  to  industry-standard,  open,  REST-based  APIs  and  a  comprehensive  set  of  resources  that 
enable them to integrate with or extend functionality of our solutions. Additionally, SKY UX®, our open-sourced user 

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Blackbaud, Inc.

experience framework, increases the reach of our solutions by enabling developers to create interfaces that look and feel 
like a Blackbaud solution. In 2017, SKY UX continued to mature with the release of version 2 which added new functionality 
while also increasing the performance and available tooling and testing. You'll see SKY UX in Blackbaud's next generation 
solutions including Raiser’s Edge NXT, Financial Edge NXT, Blackbaud Outcomes, the next generation of Luminate Online, 
our K-12 On Suite, and many other capabilities that are lighting up across our product portfolio. The SKY architecture 
enables rapid releases, scalable and high-quality services, and speedier time to market.

Each of our Luminate solutions, including Luminate Online, Luminate CRM and TeamRaiser, are cloud-based applications 
that are open and extensible and employ a multi-tenant architecture requiring only a web browser for customer access. 
Luminate  Online  and  TeamRaiser  share  a  common  codebase  and  database,  and  are  built  on  the  Java  runtime 
environment. Luminate CRM is built on the SalesForce.com platform.

Regardless of solution choice, our development strategies are designed to be:

• 

Flexible.  Our  component-based  architecture  is  programmable  and  easily  extended  by  our  customers  without 
requiring modification of the source code, ensuring that the technology can be extended to accommodate changing 
demands of our customers and the market.

•  Adaptable. The architecture of our applications allows us to easily add features and functionality or to integrate 

with third-party applications in order to adapt to our customers' needs or market demands.

• 

Scalable. We combine a scalable architecture with the performance, capacity and load balancing of industry-
standard web servers and databases used by our customers to ensure that the applications can scale to the needs 
of larger organizations.

Intellectual Property and Other Proprietary Rights

To protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws in 
various jurisdictions, as well as employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements and confidentiality procedures. We 
have numerous trademarks, including “Blackbaud,” “Raiser's Edge NXT” and “Luminate.” We have applied for additional 
trademarks. Depending upon the jurisdiction, trademarks are valid as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are 
properly maintained. We currently have three active patents on our technology and have a total of three pending patent 
applications.

Employees

As of December 31, 2017, we had 3,182 employees, none of whom are represented by unions or are covered by collective 
bargaining agreements. We are not involved in any material disputes with any of our employees, and we believe that 
relations with our employees are satisfactory.

Seasonality

For a discussion of seasonal variations in our business, see “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial conditions 
and results of operations — Seasonality” in Item 7 in this report.

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

For information about revenues by geographic region and long-lived assets by geographic region, please see Note 17 and 
Note 16, respectively, to our consolidated financial statements in this report. For a description of risks associated with our 
non-U.S. operations, please see “Risk Factors - If we do not successfully address the risks inherent in the expansion of our 
international operations, our business could suffer” in Item 1A in this report.

For a discussion of our working capital practices, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and 
Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 in this report.

Working Capital

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Blackbaud, Inc.

Available Information

Our website address is www.blackbaud.com. We make available, free of charge through our website, our annual report 
on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports pursuant 
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material 
with, or furnish it to, the SEC, but other information on our website is not incorporated into this report. The SEC maintains 
an Internet site that contains these reports at www.sec.gov. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the 
SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information 
on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth information concerning our executive officers as of February 15, 2018:

Name
Michael P. Gianoni

Anthony W. Boor
Kevin W. Mooney

Brian E. Boruff

Jon W. Olson

Age
57

Title
President and Chief Executive Officer

55

59

58

54

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Executive Vice President and President, General Markets Group

Executive Vice President and President, Enterprise Markets Group

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Michael P. Gianoni joined us as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2014. Prior to joining us, he served as 
Executive Vice President and Group President, Financial Institutions at Fiserv, Inc., a global technology provider serving the 
financial services industry, from January 2010 to December 2013. He joined Fiserv as President of its Investment Services 
division in December 2007. Mr. Gianoni was Executive Vice President and General Manager of CheckFree Investment 
Services,  which  provided  investment  management  solutions  to  financial  services  organizations,  from  June  2006  until 
December 2007 when CheckFree was acquired by Fiserv. From May 1994 to November 2005, he served as Senior Vice 
President of DST Systems Inc., a global provider of technology-based service solutions. Mr. Gianoni is a member of the 
Board of Directors of Teradata Corporation, a publicly traded global big data analytics and marketing applications company. 
Mr. Gianoni has served on several nonprofit boards across several segments, including relief organizations, hospitals, and 
higher education. He currently is a board member  of the International African American Museum. He holds an AS in 
electrical engineering from Waterbury State Technical College, a BS with a business concentration from Charter Oak State 
College, and an MBA and an honorary Doctorate from the University of New Haven.

Anthony W. Boor joined us as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in November 2011 and served as our 
interim President and Chief Executive Officer from August 2013 to January 2014. Prior to joining us, he served as an 
executive with Brightpoint, Inc., a global provider of device lifecycle services to the wireless industry, beginning in 1999, 
most recently as its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. He also served as the interim President 
of Europe, Middle East and Africa during Brightpoint's significant restructuring of that region. Mr. Boor served as Director 
of Business Operations for Brightpoint North America from August 1998 to July 1999. Prior to joining Brightpoint, Mr. 
Boor  was  employed  in  various  financial  positions  with  Macmillan  Computer  Publishing,  Inc.,  a  Viacom  owned  book 
publishing company specializing in computer hardware and software related topics, Day Dream Publishing, Inc., a publishing 
company specializing in calendars, posters and time management materials, Ernst & Young LLP, an accounting firm, Expo 
New Mexico, a state-owned fair and expo grounds and live pari-mutual horse racing venue, KPMG LLP, an accounting 
firm, and Ernst & Whinney LLP, an accounting firm. He holds a BS in Accounting from New Mexico State University.

Kevin W. Mooney has served as our Executive Vice President and President, General Markets Group since January 2010. 
He joined us in July 2008 as our Chief Commercial Officer. Before joining Blackbaud, Mr. Mooney was a senior executive 
at Travelport GDS from August 2007 to May 2008. As Chief Commercial Officer of Travelport GDS, one of the world's 
largest providers of information services and transaction processing to the travel industry, Mr. Mooney was responsible for 
global sales, marketing, training, service and support activities. Prior to that he was Chief Financial Officer for Worldspan 
from March 2005 until it was acquired by Travelport in August 2007. Mr. Mooney has also held key executive positions 
in the telecommunications industry and he served as a member of the Board of Directors of Level 3 Communications, Inc., 
a publicly traded global managed network services company, from October 2014 to November 2017. He holds a BS in 
Finance from Seton Hall University, and holds an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University.

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Blackbaud, Inc.

Brian E. Boruff joined us as our Executive Vice President and President, Enterprise Markets Group in May 2015. Prior to 
joining us, Mr. Boruff was the Global Vice President of Products, Platforms and Solutions at Infosys, a global provider of 
consulting technology and next-generation services, from June 2013 until April 2015. From May 2011 until June 2013 he 
was a Managing Director of Accenture, a global management consulting and technology services company. From January 
2009 until May 2011, Mr. Boruff was the Global Vice President of Cloud Computing and Emerging Technologies at CSC, 
a global provider of information technology services and solutions. Prior to that, Mr. Boruff spent 15 years at Microsoft, a 
platform and productivity software company, from July 1993 until September 2008 where he held various domestic and 
international executive roles as well as client-facing software sales and services roles. He holds a BA in Computer Science 
and Biochemistry from the University of Tennessee.

Jon W. Olson joined us as Senior Vice President and General Counsel in September 2008. Mr. Olson is responsible for 
Blackbaud's legal activities. Prior to joining us, he was an attorney with Alcatel-Lucent USA, the U.S. subsidiary of France-
based Alcatel-Lucent (now owned by Nokia Corporation) that designs, develops, and builds wireline, wireless, and converged 
communications networks, from July 1997 to September 2008. Prior to joining Alcatel-Lucent, Mr. Olson was employed 
in legal positions with MCI, Inc., a global business and residential communications company, from September 1996 to July 
1997, and Unisys Corporation, a global information technology company that solves complex IT challenges at the intersection 
of modern and mission critical, from July 1992 to September 1996. Mr. Olson is a member of the MUSC (Medical University 
of South Carolina) Hollings Cancer Center Citizens Advisory Council and is on the board of the Charleston Regional Alliance 
for The Arts. He holds a BS from Georgetown University, a JD from Dickinson School of Law and an MBA from Seton Hall 
University.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business operations face a number of risks.  These risks should be read and considered with other information provided 
in this report.

Our failure to compete successfully could cause our revenue or market share to decline.

Our market is highly competitive and rapidly evolving and there are limited barriers to entry for many segments of this 
market. 

The companies we compete with and other potential competitors may have greater financial, technical and marketing 
resources and generate greater revenue and better name recognition than we do. Also, a large diversified software enterprise 
could decide to enter the market directly, including through acquisitions. Competitive pressures can adversely impact our 
business by limiting the prices we can charge our customers and making the adoption and renewal of our solutions more 
difficult.

Our competitors might also establish or strengthen cooperative relationships with resellers and third-party consulting firms 
or  other  parties  with  whom  we  have  had  relationships,  thereby  limiting  our  ability  to  promote  our  solutions.  These 
competitive pressures could cause our revenue and market share to decline.

Because a significant portion of our revenue is recognized ratably over the terms of the contract, downturns 
in sales may not be immediately reflected in our revenue.

We recognize our maintenance and subscriptions revenue monthly over the term of the customer agreement. Most of our 
maintenance arrangements are for a one-year term. Our subscription arrangements are typically either for a one-year term 
or a three-year term. As a result, much of the revenue we report in each quarter is attributable to arrangements entered 
into during previous quarters. Consequently, a decline in sales to new customers, renewals by existing customers or market 
acceptance of our solutions in any one quarter will not necessarily be fully reflected in the revenues in that quarter and 
could negatively affect our revenues and profitability in future quarters.

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Blackbaud, Inc.

If our customers do not renew their annual maintenance and support arrangements or subscriptions for our 
solutions or if they do not renew them on terms that are favorable to us, our business might suffer.

Most of our maintenance arrangements are for a one-year term. Our subscription arrangements are typically either for a 
one-year term or a three-year term. As the end of the annual period approaches, we seek the renewal of the agreement 
with the customer. Historically, maintenance and subscriptions renewals have represented a significant portion of our total 
revenue. Because of this characteristic of our business, if our customers choose not to renew their maintenance and support 
arrangements or subscriptions with us on beneficial terms or at all, our business, operating results and financial condition 
could be harmed. Our customers' renewal rates may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including their 
level of satisfaction with our solutions and services and their ability to continue their operations and spending levels.

Defects, delays or interruptions in our cloud-based solutions and hosting services could diminish demand for 
these services and subject us to substantial liability.

We currently utilize data center hosting facilities to provide cloud-based solutions to some of our subscription customers 
and hosting services to our on-premise license customers. Any damage to, or failure of, these data center systems generally 
could  result  in  interruptions  in  service  to  our  customers,  notwithstanding  any  business  continuity  or  disaster  recovery 
agreements that may currently be in place at these facilities. Because our cloud-based solutions and hosting service offerings 
are complex, and we have incorporated a variety of new computer hardware and software systems at our data centers, 
our  services  might  have  errors  or  defects  that  users  identify  after  they  begin  using  our  services.  This  could  result  in 
unanticipated  downtime  for  our  customers  and  harm  to  our  reputation  and  business  results.  Internet-based  services 
sometimes contain undetected errors when first introduced or when new versions or enhancements are released. We have 
from time to time found defects in our web-based services and new errors might again be detected in the future. In 
addition, our customers might use our Internet-based offerings in unanticipated ways that cause a disruption in service for 
other customers attempting to access their data.

Because our customers use these services for important aspects of their businesses, any defects, delays or disruptions in 
service or other performance problems with our services could hurt our reputation and damage our customers' businesses. 
If that occurs, customers could elect to cancel their service, delay or withhold payment to us, not purchase from us in the 
future or make claims against us, which could result in an increase in our provision for doubtful accounts, an increase in 
collection cycles for accounts receivable or the expense and risk of litigation. Any of these could harm our business and 
reputation.

Material defects or errors in the software we use to deliver our services could harm our reputation, result in 
significant costs to us and impair our ability to sell our services.

The  software  applications  underlying  our  services  are  inherently  complex  and  may  contain  material  defects  or  errors, 
particularly when first introduced or when new versions or enhancements are released. We have from time to time found 
defects in our software, and new errors in our existing software may be detected in the future.

After the release of our software, defects or errors may also be identified from time to time by our internal team and our 
customers. The costs incurred in correcting any material defects or errors in our software may be substantial and could 
harm our operating results. Furthermore, our customers may use our software together with solutions from other companies. 
As a result, when problems occur, it might be difficult to identify the source of the problem. Even when our software does 
not cause these problems, the existence of these errors might cause us to incur significant costs, divert the attention of 
our  technical  personnel  from  our  solution  development  efforts,  impact  our  reputation  and  cause  significant  customer 
relations problems.

Our failure to obtain licenses for third-party technologies could harm our business.

We expect to continue licensing technologies from third parties, including applications used in our research and development 
activities, technologies which are integrated into our solutions and solutions that we resell. We believe that the loss of any 
third-party technologies currently integrated into our solutions could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our 
inability in the future to obtain any third-party licenses on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could delay future 
solution development until equivalent technology can be identified, licensed or developed and integrated. This inability in 
turn could harm our business and operating results. Our use of third-party technologies exposes us to increased risks 
including, but not limited to, risks associated with the integration of new technology into our solutions, the diversion of 

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Blackbaud, Inc.

our resources from development of our own proprietary technology and our inability to generate revenue from licensed 
technology sufficient to offset associated acquisition and maintenance costs.

The market for software and services for nonprofit, charitable giving and educational organizations might not 
grow and these organizations might not continue to adopt our solutions and services.

Many nonprofit organizations have not traditionally used integrated and comprehensive software and services for their 
nonprofit-specific needs. We cannot be certain that the market for such solutions and services will continue to develop 
and grow or that nonprofit organizations will elect to adopt our solutions and services rather than continue to use traditional, 
less  automated  methods,  attempt  to  develop  software  internally,  rely  upon  legacy  software  systems,  or  use  software 
solutions not specifically designed for the nonprofit market. Nonprofit organizations that have already invested substantial 
resources in other fundraising methods or other non-integrated software solutions might be reluctant to adopt our solutions 
and services to supplement or replace their existing systems or methods.  In addition, the implementation of one or more 
of our core software solutions can involve significant time and capital commitments by our customers, which they may be 
unwilling or unable to make. If demand for and market acceptance of our solutions and services does not increase, we 
might not grow our business as we expect.

A large percentage of our customers are nonprofits, foundations, educational institutions and other members of the social 
good community that rely on charitable donations. If charitable giving, including online giving, does not continue to grow 
or declines, it could limit our current and potential customers' ability to use and pay for our solutions and services, which 
could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

If we are unable, or our customers believe we are unable, to detect and prevent unauthorized use of payment 
card information and safeguard confidential donor data, we could be subject to financial liability, our reputation 
could be harmed and customers may be reluctant to use our solutions and services.

The rules of payment card associations in which we participate require that we comply with Payment Card Industry Data 
Security Standard ("PCI DSS") in order to preserve security of payment card data. Under PCI DSS, we are required to adopt 
and  implement  internal  controls  over  the  use,  storage  and  security  of  payment  card  data  to  help  prevent  card  fraud. 
Conforming our solutions and services to PCI DSS or other payment services related regulations or requirements imposed 
by payment networks or our customers or payment processing partners is expensive and time-consuming. However, failure 
to comply may subject us to fines, penalties, damages and civil liability, may impair the security of payment card data in 
our  possession,  and  may  harm  our  reputation  and  our  business  prospects,  including  by  limiting  our  ability  to  process 
transactions. Currently some of our solutions are not certified as compliant with the Payment Application Data Security 
Standard, which is a subset of the requirements for PCI DSS. In addition, currently some of our solutions are not fully 
compliant with PCI DSS.

If the security of our software is breached, we fail to securely collect, store and transmit customer information, 
or  we  fail  to  safeguard  confidential  donor  data,  we  could  be  exposed  to  liability,  litigation,  penalties  and 
remedial costs and our reputation and business could suffer.

Fundamental to the use of our solutions is the secure collection, storage and transmission of confidential donor and end 
user data and transaction data, including in our payment services. Despite the network and application security, internal 
control measures, and physical security procedures we employ to safeguard our systems, we may still be vulnerable to a 
security breach, intrusion, loss or theft of confidential donor data and transaction data, which may harm our business, 
reputation and future financial results. 

Like many major businesses, we are, from time to time, a target of cyber-attacks and phishing schemes, and we expect 
these threats to continue. Because of the numerous and evolving cybersecurity threats, including advanced and persistent 
cyber-attacks, phishing and social engineering schemes, used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade systems 
have become increasingly more complex and sophisticated and may be difficult to detect for periods of time, we may not 
anticipate these acts or respond adequately or timely. As these threats continue to evolve and increase, we may be required 
to devote significant additional resources in order to modify and enhance our security controls and to identify and remediate 
any security vulnerabilities.

A compromise of our data security that results in customer or donor personal or payment card data being obtained by 
unauthorized persons could adversely affect our reputation with our customers and others, as well as our operations, 

2017 Form 10-K

17

Blackbaud, Inc.

results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties. 
We might be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect further against security breaches or to 
rectify problems caused by any security breach, including notification under data privacy laws and regulations and expenses 
related to remediating our information security systems. Even though we carry cyber-technology insurance policies that 
may provide insurance coverage under certain circumstances, we might suffer losses as a result of a security breach that 
exceed the coverage available under our insurance policies or for which we do not have coverage. A security breach and 
any efforts we make to address such breach could also result in a disruption of our operations, particularly our online sales 
operations.

Further, the existence of vulnerabilities, even if they do not result in a security breach, may harm client confidence and 
require substantial resources to address, and we may not be able to discover or remedy such security vulnerabilities before 
they are exploited, which may harm our business, reputation and future financial results.

Privacy and data protection concerns, including evolving domestic and international government regulation in 
the area of consumer data privacy or data protection, could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The effectiveness of our software solutions relies on our customers' storage and use of data concerning their customers, 
including financial, personally identifying or other sensitive data. Our customers' collection and use of this data for donor 
profiling,  data  analytics  or  communications  outreach  might  raise  privacy  and  data  protection  concerns  and  negatively 
impact the demand for our solutions and services. For example, our custom modeling and analytical services, including 
ProspectPoint, WealthPoint and donorCentrics, rely heavily on processing and using of data we gather from customers 
and various sources. Privacy and data protection laws could restrict or add regulatory and compliance processes to our 
ability to market and profit from those services.

Governments in some jurisdictions have enacted or are considering enacting consumer data privacy or data protection 
legislation, including laws and regulations applying to the solicitation, collection, transfer, processing and use of personal 
data. This legislation could reduce the demand for our software solutions if we fail to design or enhance our solutions to 
enable our customers to comply with the privacy and data protection measures required by the legislation. Moreover, we 
may be exposed to liability under existing or new consumer privacy or data protection legislation. For example, we must 
comply with applicable provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"), and might 
be subject to similar provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and related regulations. Even technical violations of these 
laws may result in penalties that are assessed for each non-compliant transaction.

More recently, the European Union ("EU") General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which becomes effective in May 
2018, extends the scope of the EU data protection law to all companies processing data of EU residents, regardless of the 
company’s location.  The  law  requires  companies  to  meet  new  requirements  regarding  the  handling  of  personal  data, 
including new rights such as the portability of personal data. Although we have an extensive program underway to address 
GDPR requirements, our efforts to comply with GDPR and other privacy and data protections laws may entail substantial 
expenses,  may  divert  resources  from  other  initiatives  and  projects,  and  could  limit  the  services  we  are  able  to  offer. 
Furthermore, actions and investigations by regulatory authorities related to data security incidents and privacy violations 
continue to increase, which could impact us through increased costs or restrictions on our business, and noncompliance 
could result in significant regulatory penalties and legal liability.

If our customers or we were found to be subject to and in violation of any privacy or data protection laws or regulations, 
our business may be materially and adversely impacted and we and/or our customers would likely have to change our 
business practices. In addition, these laws and regulations could impose significant costs on our customers and us and 
make it more difficult for donors to make online donations.

We are in the information technology business, and our solutions and services store, retrieve, transfer, manipulate and 
manage our customers’ information and data. The effectiveness of our software solutions relies on our customers’ storage 
and use of data concerning their donors, including financial, personally identifying and other sensitive data and our business 
uses similar systems that require us to store and use data with respect to our customers and personnel. Our collection and 
our customers’ collection and use of this data might raise privacy and data protection concerns and negatively impact our 
business or the demand for our solutions and services. If a breach of data security were to occur, or other violation of 
privacy or data protection laws and regulations were to be alleged, our business may be materially and adversely impacted 
and solutions may be perceived as less desirable, which would negatively affect our business and operating results.

18

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

If we fail to respond to technological changes and successfully introduce new and improved solutions, our 
competitive position may be harmed and our business may suffer.

The introduction of solutions encompassing new technologies can render existing solutions obsolete and unmarketable. 
As a result, our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to continue to enhance existing solutions and develop 
and  introduce  in  a  timely  manner  or  acquire  new  solutions  that  keep  pace  with  technological  developments,  satisfy 
increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and achieve market acceptance. If we are unable to develop or acquire 
on a timely and cost-effective basis new software solutions or enhancements to existing solutions or if such new solutions 
or enhancements do not achieve market acceptance, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be 
materially adversely affected.

Because competition for highly qualified personnel is intense, we might not be able to attract and retain key 
personnel needed to support our planned growth.

To meet our objectives successfully, we must attract and retain highly qualified personnel with specialized skill sets. If we 
are unable to attract suitably qualified management, there could be a material adverse impact on our business.

Further, in the past, we have used equity incentive programs as part of our overall employee compensation agreements 
to both attract and retain personnel. A decline in our stock price could negatively impact the value of these equity incentive 
and related compensation programs as retention and recruiting tools. We may need to create new or additional equity 
incentive  programs  and/or  compensation  packages  to  remain  competitive,  which  could  be  dilutive  to  our  existing 
stockholders and/or adversely affect our results of operations.

If we do not successfully address the risks inherent in the expansion of our international operations, our business 
could suffer.

We currently have non-U.S. operations primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, and we intend to expand 
further into international markets. Expansion of our international operations will require a significant amount of attention 
from our management and substantial financial resources and might require us to add qualified management in these 
markets. Our direct sales model requires us to attract, retain and manage qualified sales personnel capable of selling into 
markets outside the United States. In some cases, our costs of sales might increase if our customers require us to sell 
through local distributors.

If we are unable to grow our international operations in a cost-effective and timely manner, our business and operating 
results could be harmed. Doing business internationally involves additional risks that could harm our operating results. 

We expect that an increasing portion of our international revenues will be denominated in foreign currencies, subjecting 
us to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. If we expand our international operations, exposures to gains and 
losses on foreign currency transactions may increase.

Unfavorable  media  coverage  related  to  peer-to-peer  fundraising  campaigns  on  our  social  platforms  could 
negatively impact our business. 

Our online social giving platforms receive a high degree of media coverage for particularly news-worthy or controversial 
fundraising campaigns, as well as for our fee-based business model. Although our terms of service provide express limitations 
on the platforms' user-initiated fundraising campaigns and reserve our right to remove content that violates our terms of 
service, it may not always be possible to remove such content prior to it receiving attention in the media. Negative publicity 
related to our online social giving platforms could have an adverse effect on the size, engagement, and loyalty of our user 
base and could result in decreased revenue, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

Acquisitions could prove difficult to integrate, disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value and strain our 
resources.

As part of our business strategy, we have made acquisitions in the past and continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire 
companies, technologies and/or services. The successful integration of acquired companies requires, among other things, 
coordination of various departments, including solution development, engineering, sales and marketing and finance, as 
well as integration in our system of internal controls. Acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks.

2017 Form 10-K

19

Blackbaud, Inc.

Acquisitions also frequently result in recording of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are subject to potential 
impairments in the future that could harm our operating results. In addition, if we finance acquisitions by issuing equity 
securities or securities convertible into equity securities, our existing stockholders would be diluted which, in turn, could 
affect the market price of our stock. Moreover, we could finance any acquisition with debt, resulting in higher leverage 
and interest costs. As a result, if we fail to evaluate and execute acquisitions or investments properly, we might not achieve 
the anticipated benefits of any such acquisition and we may incur costs in excess of what we anticipate. Furthermore, if 
we incur additional debt to fund acquisitions and are unable to service our debt obligation we may have a greater risk of 
default under our credit facility. In addition, acquisitions may cause a disruption to our ongoing business, including diversion 
of resources and management's attention from our existing business and a greater than expected investment of resources 
or operating expenses.

The success of our acquisitions will depend in part on our ability to retain their engineering, sales, marketing, development 
and other personnel. It is possible that these employees might decide to terminate their employment. If key employees 
terminate their employment, the sales, marketing or development activities of acquired companies might be adversely 
affected, our management's attention might be diverted from successfully integrating the acquired operations to hiring 
suitable replacements and, as a result, our business might suffer. 

We significantly increased our leverage in connection with acquisitions.

We incurred a substantial amount of indebtedness in connection with recent acquisitions. As a result of this indebtedness, 
our interest payment obligations have increased. The degree to which we are leveraged could have adverse effects on our 
business, including the following:

•  Requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, 
thereby  reducing  the  availability  of  our  cash  flow  to  fund  working  capital,  capital  expenditures,  acquisitions, 
dividends and other general corporate purposes; 

• 

Limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we 
operate; 

•  Restricting us from making additional strategic acquisitions or exploiting business opportunities; 

• 

• 

Placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; 

Limiting our ability to borrow additional funds; and 

•  Decreasing  our  ability  to  compete  effectively  or  operate  successfully  under  adverse  economic  and  industry 

conditions.

If we incur additional debt, these risks may intensify. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations will depend upon our 
future performance, which will be subject to the financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of 
which are beyond our control.

Our balance sheet includes significant amounts of goodwill and intangible assets. The impairment of a significant 
portion of these assets could negatively affect our operating results.

As of December 31, 2017, we had $530.2 million and $314.7 million of goodwill and intangible assets, respectively. On 
at least an annual basis, we assess whether there have been impairments in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible 
assets. If the carrying value of an asset is determined to be impaired, then it is written down to fair value by a non-cash 
charge to operating earnings. Changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying value of goodwill or intangible 
assets may not be recoverable include declines in our stock price, market capitalization, cash flows and slower growth 
rates in our industry. We cannot accurately predict the likelihood or potential amount and timing of any impairment of 
goodwill or other intangible assets. An impairment of a significant portion of goodwill or intangible assets could materially 
and negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition.

20

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Restrictions in our credit facility may limit our activities, including dividend payments, share repurchases and 
acquisitions.

Our credit facility contains restrictions, including covenants limiting our ability to incur additional debt, grant liens, make 
acquisitions and other investments, prepay specified debt, consolidate, merge or acquire other businesses, sell assets, pay 
dividends and other distributions, repurchase stock and enter into transactions with affiliates. There can be no assurance 
that we will be able to remain in compliance with the covenants to which we are subject in the future and, if we fail to 
do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from our lenders or amend the covenants.

In the event of a default under our credit facility, we could be required to immediately repay all outstanding borrowings, 
which we might not be able to do. In addition, certain of our material domestic subsidiaries will be required to guarantee 
amounts borrowed under the credit facility, and we have pledged the shares of certain of our subsidiaries as collateral for 
our obligations under the credit facility. Any such default could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate, 
including allowing lenders under the credit facility to enforce guarantees of our subsidiaries, if any, or exercise their rights 
with respect to the shares pledged as collateral.

We have recorded significant deferred tax assets, and we might never realize their full value, which would 
result in a charge against our earnings.

As of December 31, 2017, we had deferred tax assets of $47.0 million. Realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent 
upon our generating sufficient taxable income in future years to realize the tax benefit from those assets. Deferred tax 
assets are reviewed at least annually for realizability. A charge against our earnings would result if, based on the available 
evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. This could be caused 
by, among other things, deterioration in performance, loss of key contracts, adverse market conditions, adverse changes 
in applicable laws or regulations, including changes that restrict the activities of or affect the solutions sold by our business 
and a variety of other factors. If a deferred tax asset was determined to be not realizable in a future period, the charge to 
earnings would be recognized as an expense in our results of operations in the period the determination is made. Additionally, 
if we are unable to utilize our deferred tax assets, our cash flow available to fund operations could be adversely affected.

Depending on future circumstances, it is possible that we might never realize the full value of our deferred tax assets. Any 
future determination of impairment of a significant portion of our deferred tax assets would have an adverse effect on our 
financial condition and results of operations.

Claims that we or our technologies infringe upon the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of a third 
party may require us to incur significant costs, enter into royalty or licensing agreements or develop or license 
substitute technology.

We may be subject to claims that our technologies in our solutions and services infringe upon the intellectual property or 
other proprietary rights of a third party. In addition, the vendors providing us with technology that we use in our own 
technology could become subject to similar infringement claims. Although we believe that our solutions and services do 
not infringe any intellectual property or other proprietary rights, we cannot be certain that our solutions and services do 
not, or that they will not in the future, infringe intellectual property or other proprietary rights held by others. Any claims 
of infringement could cause us to incur substantial costs defending against the claim, even if the claim is without merit, 
and could distract our management from our business. Moreover, any settlement or adverse judgment resulting from the 
claim could require us to pay substantial amounts, or obtain a license to continue to use the solutions and services that 
are the subject of the claim, and/or otherwise restrict or prohibit our use of the technology. There can be no assurance 
that we would be able to obtain a license on commercially reasonable terms from the third party asserting any particular 
claim, or that we would be able to successfully develop alternative technology on a timely basis, or that we would be able 
to obtain a license from another provider of suitable alternative technology to permit us to continue offering, and our 
customers to continue using, the solutions and services. In addition, we generally provide in our customer arrangements 
for certain solutions and services that we will indemnify our customers against third-party infringement claims relating to 
technology we provide to those customers, which could obligate us to pay damages if the solutions and services were 
found to be infringing. Infringement claims asserted against us, our vendors or our customers may have a material adverse 
effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

2017 Form 10-K

21

Blackbaud, Inc.

Our solutions utilize open source software, which may subject us to litigation, require us to re-engineer our 
solutions, or otherwise divert resources away from our development efforts. 

We use open source software in connection with certain of our solutions. Such open source software is generally licensed 
by its authors or other third parties under open source licenses, including, for example, the GNU General Public License, 
the GNU Lesser General Public License, “Apache-style” licenses, “BSD-style” licenses and other open source licenses.  There 
is little legal precedent governing the interpretation of many of the terms of some of these licenses and, therefore, the 
potential impact of these terms on our business is currently unable to be determined and may result in unanticipated 
obligations regarding our solutions and technologies. From time to time, companies that incorporate open source software 
into their products have faced claims challenging the ownership of open source software and/or compliance with open 
source license terms. Therefore, we could be subject to litigation by parties claiming ownership of open source software 
or noncompliance with open source licensing terms. Some open source software licenses require users who distribute open 
source software as part of their own software to publicly disclose all or part of the source code to such software and/or 
make available any derivative works of the open source code on unfavorable terms or at no cost. While we monitor our 
use of open source software and try to ensure that none is used in a manner that would require us to disclose the source 
code or that would otherwise breach the terms of an open source agreement, such use could inadvertently occur and we 
may be required to release proprietary source code, pay damages for breach of contract, re-engineer our applications, 
discontinue sales in the event re-engineering cannot be accomplished on a timely basis, or take other remedial action that 
may divert resources away from our development efforts, any of which could adversely affect our business.

We rely upon trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret laws to protect our proprietary rights, which might 
not provide us with adequate protection.

Our success and ability to compete depends to a significant degree upon the protection of our proprietary technology 
rights. We might not be successful in protecting our proprietary technology and our proprietary rights might not provide 
us with a meaningful competitive advantage. To protect our core proprietary technology, we rely on a combination of 
patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as nondisclosure agreements, each of which affords only limited 
protection.

Increasing and evolving domestic and international government regulation could affect our business.

Pending and enacted legislation at the state and federal levels and internationally, including those related to taxation, 
fundraising activities and payment processing, may also restrict further our information gathering and disclosure practices, 
for example, by requiring us to comply with extensive and costly registration, reporting or disclosure requirements. Any 
substantial increase in government regulation affecting our business, or any failure to comply with existing regulations, 
could require substantial investments to achieve compliance, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial 
condition.

Our operations might be affected by the occurrence of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event.

We depend on our principal executive offices and other facilities for the continued operation of our business. Although 
we have contingency plans in effect for natural disasters or other catastrophic events, these events, including terrorist 
attacks, computer hacker attacks and natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, could disrupt one or more of 
these facilities and adversely affect our operations. Our principal executive offices are located in a coastal region that has 
experienced  hurricanes  in  the  past.  Even  though  we  carry  business  interruption  insurance  policies  and  typically  have 
provisions in our commercial contracts that protect us in certain events, we might suffer losses as a result of business 
interruptions that exceed the coverage available under our insurance policies or for which we do not have coverage. Any 
natural disaster or catastrophic event affecting us could have a significant negative impact on our operations.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

22

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We lease our headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, which consists of approximately 218,000 square feet. The lease 
on our Charleston headquarters expires in October 2023, and we have the option for two 5-year renewal periods. Please 
also  see  discussion  about  the  construction  of  our  new  headquarters  facility  in  Note  11  to  our  consolidated  financial 
statements in this report.

We  also  lease  or  have  purchased  the  right  to  use  additional  office  space  in  Austin,  Texas;  Bedford,  New  Hampshire; 
Charleston, South Carolina; Edina, Minnesota; Glasgow, Scotland; Indianapolis, Indiana; London, England; Middlesex, New 
Jersey; and Sydney, Australia, among other locations. We believe that our properties are in good operating condition and 
adequately serve our current business operations. We also anticipate that suitable additional or alternative space, including 
those under lease options, will be available at commercially reasonable terms for future expansion.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising from our ordinary course of business. 
We do not believe that there are any claims or actions pending or threatened against us, the ultimate disposition of which 
would have a material adverse effect on us.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

2017 Form 10-K

23

Blackbaud, Inc.

PART II.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED 
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY 
SECURITIES

Our common stock is trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “BLKB.” The following table 
sets forth, for the quarterly reporting periods indicated, the high and low market prices for shares of our common stock, 
as reported by Nasdaq, and dividend per share information.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

Fourth quarter

Third quarter

Second quarter

First quarter

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

Fourth quarter

Third quarter

Second quarter

First quarter

Common Stock 
Market Prices

High

Low

Dividends
Declared

$

103.79 $

87.51 $

92.82

90.36

77.15

82.85

75.92

62.06

$

67.42 $

58.29 $

71.09

68.40

65.33

64.32

58.36

50.97

0.12

0.12

0.12

0.12

0.12

0.12

0.12

0.12

As of February 5, 2018, there were approximately 117 stockholders of record of our common stock. Because many of our 
shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, this number is not representative 
of the total number of stockholders represented by these stockholders of record. On February 5, 2018, the closing price 
of our common stock was $90.21.

24

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Stock Performance Graph

The following performance graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference 
in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act except as shall be expressly set 
forth by specific reference in such filing. The performance graph compares the performance of our common stock to the 
Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Computer and Data Processing Index. The graph covers the most recent five-
year period ending December 31, 2017. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock and 
each index was $100.00 at December 31, 2012, and that all dividends are reinvested.

December 31,
Blackbaud, Inc.

Nasdaq Composite Index

Nasdaq Computer & Data Processing Index

2012

2017
$ 100.00 $ 167.43 $ 194.95 $ 299.48 $ 293.26 $ 435.45

2016

2015

2014

2013

100.00

100.00

141.63

151.54

162.09

173.50

173.33

208.25

187.19

224.83

242.29

315.58

2017 Form 10-K

25

Blackbaud, Inc.

Common Stock Acquisitions and Repurchases

The following table provides information about shares of common stock acquired or repurchased during the three months 
ended December 31, 2017. All of these acquisitions were of common stock withheld by us to satisfy minimum tax obligations 
of employees due upon exercise of stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock awards and units. The level of 
acquisition activity varies from period to period based upon the timing of grants and vesting as well as employee exercise 
decisions.

Period
Beginning balance, October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017

November 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017

December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017

Total
number
of shares
purchased

16,805 $

32,867

—

Average
price
paid
per
share

94.34

99.91

—

Total number
of shares
purchased as
part of
publicly
announced
plans or
programs(1)

Approximate
dollar value
of shares
that may yet
be purchased
under the
plans or 
programs 
(in thousands)
50,000
$

—

—

—

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

Total

49,672 $

98.03

— $

(1) 

In August 2010, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized us to purchase up to $50.0 million of our outstanding 
shares of common stock. We have not made any repurchases under the program to date, and the program does not have an expiration date.

Dividend Policy

Our Board of Directors has adopted a dividend policy which reflects an intention to distribute to our stockholders a portion 
of the cash generated by our business that exceeds our operating needs and capital expenditures as regular quarterly 
dividends. This policy reflects our judgment that we can provide greater value to our stockholders by distributing to them 
a portion of the cash generated by our business.

In accordance with this dividend policy, we paid quarterly dividends at an annual rate of $0.48 per share in 2017 and 2016, 
resulting in aggregate dividend payments to stockholders of $23.1 million and $22.8 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. 
In February 2018, our Board of Directors approved an annual dividend rate of $0.48 per share for 2018 and we declared 
a first quarter dividend of $0.12 per share payable on March 15, 2018, to stockholders of record on February 28, 2018.

Dividends on our common stock will not be cumulative. Consequently, if dividends on our common stock are not declared 
and/or paid at the targeted level, our stockholders will not be entitled to receive such payments in the future. We are not 
obligated to pay dividends, and as described more fully below, our stockholders might not receive any dividends as a result 
of the following factors:

•  Our credit facility limits the amount of dividends we are permitted to pay;

•  Our Board of Directors could decide to reduce dividends or not to pay dividends at all, at any time and for any 

reason;

• 

The amount of dividends distributed is subject to state law restrictions (as discussed below); and

•  We might not have enough cash to pay dividends due to changes to our operating earnings, working capital 

requirements and anticipated cash needs.

26

2017 Form 10-K

 
 
Blackbaud, Inc.

Assumptions and Considerations

We estimate that the cash necessary to fund dividends on our common stock for 2018 at an annual rate of $0.48 per 
share is approximately $23.5 million (assuming 49.0 million shares of common stock are outstanding, net of treasury stock).

We have a stock repurchase program that authorizes us to purchase up to $50.0 million of our outstanding shares of 
common stock. The program does not have an expiration date. The shares could be purchased in a self-tender for our 
stock, from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions depending upon market conditions 
and  other  factors,  all  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  applicable  law.  Any  open  market  purchases  under  the 
repurchase program will be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and all other 
applicable securities regulations. We might not purchase any shares of common stock and our Board of Directors may 
decide, in its absolute discretion, at any time and for any reason, to cancel the stock repurchase program.

We believe that our cash on hand and the cash flows we expect to generate from operations will be sufficient to meet our 
liquidity  requirements  through  2018,  including  dividends  and  purchases  under  our  stock  repurchase  program.  See 
“Management’s Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Conditions  and  Results  of  Operations  —  Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources” in Item 7 in this report.

If  our  assumptions  as  to  operating  expenses,  working  capital  requirements  and  capital  expenditures  are  too  low  or  if 
unexpected cash needs arise that we are not able to fund with cash on hand or with borrowings under our credit facility, 
we would need to either reduce or eliminate dividends. If we were to use working capital or permanent borrowings to 
fund dividends, we would have less cash available for future dividends and other purposes, which could negatively impact 
our stock price, financial condition, results of operations and ability to maintain or expand our business.

We have estimated our dividend only for 2018, and we cannot assure our stockholders that during or following 2018 we 
will pay dividends at the estimated levels, or at all except with regard to dividends previously declared by the Board of 
Directors but not yet paid. We are not required to pay dividends and our Board of Directors may modify or revoke our 
dividend policy at any time. Dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our Board of Directors and will be 
dependent upon many factors and future developments that could differ materially from our current expectations. Over 
time, our capital and other cash needs, including unexpected cash needs, will invariably change and remain subject to 
uncertainties, which could impact the level of any dividends we pay in the future.

We believe that our dividend policy could limit, but not preclude, our ability to pursue growth as we intend to retain 
sufficient cash after the distribution of dividends to permit the pursuit of growth opportunities. In order to pay dividends 
at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy and to fund any substantial portion of our stock repurchase 
program, we could require financing or borrowings to fund any significant acquisitions or to pursue growth opportunities 
requiring capital significantly beyond our anticipated levels. Management will evaluate potential growth opportunities as 
they arise and, if our Board of Directors determines that it is in our best interest to use cash that would otherwise be 
available for distribution as dividends to pursue an acquisition opportunity, to materially increase capital spending or for 
some other purpose, the Board would be free to depart from or change our dividend policy at any time.

Restrictions on Payment of Dividends

Under Delaware law, we can only pay dividends either out of “surplus” (which is defined as total assets at fair market 
value minus total liabilities, minus statutory capital) or out of current or the immediately preceding year’s earnings. As of 
December 31,  2017,  we  had  $29.8  million  in  cash  and  cash  equivalents.  In  addition,  we  anticipate  that  we  will  have 
sufficient earnings in 2018 to pay dividends at the level described above. Although we believe we will have sufficient 
surplus and earnings to pay dividends at the anticipated levels for 2018, our Board of Directors will seek periodically to 
assure itself of this sufficiency before actually declaring any dividends. 

Under our credit facility, we also have restrictions on our ability to declare and pay dividends and our ability to repurchase 
shares of our common stock. In order to pay any cash dividends and/or repurchase shares of stock: (1) no default or event 
of default shall have occurred and be continuing under the credit facility, and (2) our pro forma net leverage ratio, as set 
forth in the credit agreement, must be 0.25 less than the net leverage ratio requirement at the time of dividend declaration 
or share repurchase. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations — 
Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 in this report.

2017 Form 10-K

27

Blackbaud, Inc.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 in this report and our financial statements and the related notes 
included elsewhere in this report to fully understand factors, including our business acquisitions and dispositions, that may 
affect the comparability of the information presented below.

The following data, insofar as it relates to each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, has been derived 
from the audited annual financial statements, including the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 
2016, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for the three 
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and notes thereto in Item 8 of this report. The following data, insofar 
as  it  relates  to  each  of  the  years  ended  December 31,  2014  and  2013,  and  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of 
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are derived from audited financial statements not included in this report.

(in thousands, except per share data)

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Year ending December 31,

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Total revenue

Total cost of revenue

Gross profit

Total operating expenses

Income from operations

Net income

PER SHARE DATA
Basic net income

Diluted net income

Cash dividends

$

788,306 $
361,904

426,402

362,371

64,031

65,933

730,815 $

637,940 $

564,421 $

503,817

339,220

391,595

329,795

61,800

41,515

304,631

333,309

286,597

46,712

25,649

273,438

290,983

244,619

46,364

28,290

232,663

271,154

219,612

51,542

30,472

$

1.41 $
1.38

0.48

0.90 $

0.56 $

0.63 $

0.88

0.48

0.55

0.48

0.62

0.48

0.68

0.67

0.48

BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets(1)
Deferred revenue, including current portion
Total debt, including current portion(1)
Total long-term liabilities(1)
(1)  As previously disclosed, on January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt 
Issuance Costs, on a retrospective basis. Accordingly, we retrospectively adjusted other non-current assets and debt, net of current portion, which 
had the effect of reducing each of those respective line items in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 by 
approximately $0.5 million, $0.7 million, and $0.6 million, respectively.

$ 1,759,426 $ 1,310,210 $ 1,223,336 $
250,940

942,503 $

335,583

237,335

446,450

408,087

221,274

279,891

187,799

280,099

476,520

706,025

152,323

438,224

190,574

382,549

342,393

28

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL 
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in 
conjunction with Item 1A Risk factors and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included 
elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K.  The  following  discussion  and  analysis  presents  financial 
information denominated in millions of dollars which can lead to differences from rounding when compared 
to similar information contained in the consolidated financial statements and related notes which are primarily 
denominated in thousands of dollars.

Executive Summary

We are the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—
nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, healthcare institutions and individual change agents—we 
connect and empower organizations and individuals to increase their impact through software, services, expertise, and 
data intelligence. Our portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, 
marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, ticketing, grantmaking, 
financial  management,  payment  processing,  and  analytics.  Serving  the  industry  for  more  than  three  decades,  we  are 
headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and have operations in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United 
Kingdom. As of December 31, 2017, we had over 40,000 customers.

Our revenue is primarily generated from the following sources: (i) charging for the use of our software solutions in cloud-
based and hosted environments; (ii) providing transaction and payment processing services; (iii) providing professional 
services  including  implementation,  training,  consulting,  analytic,  and  other  services;  and  (iv);  providing  software 
maintenance and support services.

During 2017, we continued to execute on our four-point growth strategy targeted to drive an extended period of solution 
and service innovation, quality enhancement, increasing operating efficiency and financial performance:

Four-Point Growth Strategy

1. 

Integrated and Open Solutions in the Cloud

We will continue to transition our business to predominantly serve customers through a subscription-based cloud 
delivery model, enabling lower cost of entry, greater scalability and lower total cost of ownership to our customers. 
There is a concerted effort underway to optimize our portfolio of solutions and integrate powerful capabilities — such 
as built-in data, analytics, payment processing and tailored user-specific experiences — to bring even greater value 
and performance to our customers.

During 2017, we introduced SKY AI™ and SKY Analytics™, the intelligence engine behind the growing number of 
insights  integrated  into  Blackbaud  cloud  software  solutions,  powered  by  artificial  intelligence  including  machine 
learning, cognitive technology, predictive analytics and other advanced technologies. With SKY AI and SKY Analytics, 
we  are  enabling  data-driven  decisions  by  pairing  one  of  the  industry's  largest  data  sets  with  an  advanced  set  of 
integrated AI capabilities, ultimately having greater impact on our customers and their missions. For example, Affluence 
Insight, a new donor management segmentation tool enables the identification of annual, mid-level and major gift 
prospects. It offers the ability to use AI-powered analytics to identify high-value donor prospects and predict a prospect's 
likelihood to give. These embedded intelligence capabilities are one outcome of Blackbaud's Intelligence for Good™ 
approach — combining AI, Analytics and big data and expertise to drive insight for our customers across our solution 
portfolio.

We also made several portfolio announcements during 2017, ranging from solution integrations, to new capabilities 
for existing solutions, to new solution introductions.

2017 Form 10-K

29

Blackbaud, Inc.

2.  Drive Sales Effectiveness

We  are  making  investments  to  increase  the  effectiveness  of  our  sales  organization,  with  a  focus  on  enabling  our 
expanding sales teams with the talent, processes and tools to accelerate our revenue growth and improve effectiveness. 
In  2017,  we  created  a  new  Senior  Vice  President  of  Global  Sales  position  to  lead  sales  effectiveness  across  the 
organization. We continued to make investments in our sales, marketing and customer success organizations and 
improved our market coverage by deploying these resources into key markets, while bifurcating sales to focus on either 
finding new customers or cultivating existing customers. In addition, we are continuing to optimize our go-to-market 
sales strategies such as offering solutions and services tailored to the needs of customers operating within vertical 
markets including K-12 private schools, foundations, higher education and healthcare institutions, among others. Our 
sales teams are now fully running and managed on a common sales operating model. This includes common procedures, 
training, key operating metrics, compensation plans and reporting, which is driving increased productivity.

3.  Expand TAM into Near Adjacencies with Acquisitions and Product Investments

We will continue to evaluate compelling opportunities to acquire companies and acquire or build technologies and 
services. We will be guided by our acquisition criteria for considering attractive assets that expand our total addressable 
market ("TAM"), provide entry into new and near adjacencies, accelerate our shift to the cloud, accelerate revenue 
growth, are accretive to margins and present synergistic opportunities. 

In 2017, we launched Blackbaud Labs as a means to incubate new ideas and foster our strong culture of innovation 
and creativity, with the sole focus of bringing new capabilities to market organically. We also announced the promotion 
of our new Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development, who led the effort for many of 
our acquisitions, including our 2017 acquisitions, AcademicWorks and JustGiving.

AcademicWorks  is  the  market  leader  in  scholarship  management  for  higher  education  and  K-12  institutions, 
foundations, and grant-making institutions. Their cloud platform enables students to apply for all awards at an institution 
using one intuitive and streamlined process, while offering schools and awarding institutions a common platform for 
improved awarding, reporting, compliance, communication and stewardship of those awards. 

JustGiving is the United Kingdom-based online fundraising services provider, whose online social giving platform has 
played a powerful role in the growth of peer-to-peer fundraising. The acquisition enhances our capability to serve both 
individual donors and nonprofits, expanding the peer-to-peer fundraising capabilities we currently offer today through 
TeamRaiser  and  everydayhero,  which  are  used  by  leading  nonprofit  organizations  to  connect  their  causes  to  the 
individuals who support them. JustGiving also adds personal crowdfunding to our portfolio, which is an offering we 
did not previously provide and a fast-growing segment of charitable giving. 

Additional  details  regarding  our  acquisitions  of  AcademicWorks  and  JustGiving  are  provided  in  Note  3  to  our 
consolidated financial statements in this report. Both AcademicWorks and JustGiving meet the acquisition criteria 
discussed above. We remain active in the evaluation of acquisition opportunities to broaden our portfolio, provide 
better integrated solutions for our customers, differentiate ourselves from the competition and improve our financial 
performance.

4. 

Improve Operating Efficiency

We have largely completed the installations of best-in-breed back-office solutions that consolidate and standardize 
our business operations utilizing scalable tools and systems. Our focus is now shifting towards optimizing those systems, 
as  well  as  operational  excellence  and  quality  initiatives  focused  on  streamlining  processes  to  gain  efficiency  and 
scalability. Our organizational model, which we have evolved over the last few years, is largely complete and allows 
us to gain efficiency and consistency in how we execute. We have centralized our operations, including marketing, 
sustained engineering, product management, finance, customer support, customer success and professional services, 
which allows us to better manage the entire customer experience.

During 2017, in an effort to improve operating efficiency and further our organizational objectives, we also initiated 
a plan to relocate some of our existing offices to highly modern and more collaborative workspaces with short-term 
financial commitments. These workspaces are also more centrally located for our employees and closer to our customers.

30

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Total revenue

(dollars in millions)
Total revenue

Years ended December 31,

2017
788.3

$

Change

7.9% $

2016
730.8

Total revenue increased by $57.5 million during 2017, which was primarily driven by growth in subscriptions revenue as 
our business model continues to shift towards providing predominantly cloud-based subscription solutions. Subscriptions 
revenue also grew as a result of increases in the number of customers and the volume of transactions for which we process 
payments. Services and other revenue, as well as maintenance revenue, declined during 2017 from our continued shift in 
focus towards selling cloud-based subscription solutions. In general, our NXT and other cloud-based solutions require less 
implementation services, which we expect to continue to negatively impact services and other revenue over time. In addition, 
we have also used promotions and discounts for our consulting services as incentives to accelerate the migration of our 
existing customer base from on-premises solutions toward our cloud-based subscriptions. In the near-term, the transition 
to subscription-based solutions negatively impacts total revenue growth, as time-based license revenue from subscription 
arrangements is deferred and recognized ratably over the subscription period, typically three years at contract inception, 
whereas on-premises license revenue from arrangements that include perpetual licenses is recognized up-front.

Income from operations

(dollars in millions)
Income from operations

Years ended December 31,

$

2017
64.0

Change

3.6% $

2016
61.8

Income from operations increased by $2.2 million during 2017, when compared to 2016. The positive impact of growth 
in total revenue driven by subscriptions was partially offset by investments we are making in our sales organization and 
customer success program and, to a lesser extent, increases in stock-based compensation of $8.0 million, rent expense of 
$4.4 million and employee severance costs of $2.4 million. A net increase of $5.2 million in acquisition-related expenses 
and integration costs also negatively impacted income from operations. The increase in stock-based compensation expense 
was primarily driven by an increase in the grant date fair value of our annual equity awards granted to employees during 
2017, when compared to the grant date fair value of the awards granted during 2016. The increase in rent expense was 
primarily driven by the end in the fourth quarter of 2016 of the South Carolina state incentive payments we received as a 
result of locating our headquarters facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina. These amounts were recorded as a reduction 
of rent expense upon receipt. Also contributing to the increase in rent expense were new operating leases for equipment 
that we have historically purchased.

Customer retention

Subscription contracts are typically for a term of three years at contract inception with one to three-year renewals thereafter. 
Over  time,  we  anticipate  a  decrease  in  maintenance  contract  renewals  as  we  transition  our  solution  portfolio  and 
maintenance  customers  from  a  perpetual  license-based  model  to  a  cloud-based  subscription  delivery  model.  We  also 
anticipate an increase in subscription contract renewals as we continue focusing on innovation, quality and the integration 
of our subscription solutions which we believe will provide value-adding capabilities to better address our customers' needs. 
Due primarily to these factors, we believe a recurring revenue customer retention measure that combines subscription and 
maintenance customer contracts provides a better representation of our customers' overall behavior. During 2017 and 
2016,  approximately  93%  of  our  customers  with  recurring  subscription  or  maintenance  contracts  were  retained.  As 
discussed above, we are investing in our customer success program, which we believe will drive increased customer retention 
over the long-term.

2017 Form 10-K

31

Blackbaud, Inc.

Balance sheet and cash flow

At December 31, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents were $29.8 million and the carrying amount of our debt under the 
2017 Credit Facility was $437.1 million. Our net leverage ratio was 2.13 to 1.00.

During 2017, we generated $176.3 million in cash flow from operations, had net cash outlays of $146.8 million for the 
acquisitions of AcademicWorks and JustGiving, returned $23.1 million to stockholders by way of dividends and had cash 
outlays of $38.6 million for purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software development costs.

Results of Operations

Change in Reportable Segments

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2017, we operated in three business segments: (i) GMG (ii) EMG and (iii) IMG. As discussed 
above, we have centralized our business operations over the last few years to allow us to gain productivity, efficiency and 
scalability. Areas of our operations we have centralized, include, but are not limited to, marketing, finance, sales excellence, 
human resources, corporate IT, legal and contracting, real estate and facilities, research and development, customer support, 
customer success, product management, professional services and training services. With our organizational model now 
largely complete, we made changes to our internal reporting structure in the fourth quarter of 2017 to better support and 
assess the operations of our business going forward. As a result, we now have one operating and reportable segment. 
See Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements in this report for additional information.

Comparison of 2017 to 2016 and 2016 to 2015

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, we acquired companies that provided us with strategic opportunities to expand our TAM 
and share of the philanthropic giving market through the integration of complementary solutions and services to serve the 
changing needs of our customers. The following are the companies we acquired and their respective acquisition dates:

•  Giving Limited ("JustGiving") – October 2, 2017; 

•  AcademicWorks, Inc. ("AcademicWorks") – April 3, 2017; 

•  Good+Geek, Inc., ("Attentive.ly") – July 11, 2016; and

• 

Smart, LLC ("Smart Tuition") – October 2, 2015.

We have included the results of operations of acquired companies in our consolidated results of operations from the date 
of their respective acquisition. We determined that the JustGiving, AcademicWorks and Attentive.ly acquisitions were not 
material business combinations; therefore, revenue and earnings since the acquisition date and pro forma information are 
not required or presented. Because we have integrated the operations of Smart Tuition into ours, it is impracticable to 
determine amounts of revenue and operating costs attributable solely to this acquired company for 2017 and 2016. See 
Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements in this report for a summary of these acquisitions.

32

2017 Form 10-K

Operating results

Subscriptions

(dollars in millions)
Subscriptions revenue(1)
Cost of subscriptions
Subscriptions gross profit(2)
Subscriptions gross margin

Blackbaud, Inc.

Years ended December 31,

2017
522.9

242.7

280.1

$

$

Change
21.9% $

13.5%

2016
429.0

213.9

Change
29.3% $

27.8%

2015
331.8

167.3

30.2% $

215.1

30.8% $

164.4

53.6%

50.1%

49.6%

(1) 

Included in subscriptions revenue for 2016 was $39.3 million attributable to the inclusion of Smart Tuition. Included in subscriptions revenue for 
2015 was $8.3 million attributable to the inclusion of Smart Tuition.

(2)  The individual amounts for each year may not sum to subscriptions gross profit due to rounding.

Subscriptions revenue is comprised of revenue from charging for the use of our subscription-based software solutions, 
which includes providing access to cloud-based solutions and hosting services, access to certain data services and our online 
subscription training offerings, revenue from payment processing services, as well as variable transaction revenue associated 
with the use of our solutions.

We continue to experience growth in sales of our cloud-based solutions and hosting services as we meet the demand of 
our customers that increasingly prefer cloud-based subscription offerings, including existing customers that are migrating 
from on-premises solutions to our cloud-based solutions. In addition, we have experienced growth in our payment processing 
services from the continued shift to online giving, further integration of these services to our existing solution portfolio 
and the sale of these services to new and existing customers. Recurring subscription contracts are typically for a term of 
three years at contract inception with one to three-year renewals thereafter. We intend to continue focusing on innovation, 
quality and integration of our subscription solutions, which we believe will drive subscriptions revenue growth.

Cost of subscriptions is primarily comprised of compensation costs for customer support and production IT personnel, 
third-party contractor expenses, third-party royalty and data expenses, hosting expenses, allocated depreciation, facilities 
and IT support costs, amortization of intangible assets from business combinations, amortization of software development 
costs, transaction-based costs related to payments services including remittances of amounts due to third-parties and other 
costs incurred in providing support and services to our customers.

2017 vs. 2016

The increase in subscriptions revenue during 2017 when compared 2016, was primarily due to strong demand across our 
cloud-based solution portfolio and, to a much lesser extent, increases in the number of customers and the volume of 
transactions for which we process payments.

The increase in cost of subscriptions during 2017, when compared to 2016, was driven primarily by increases in transaction-
based costs related to our payments services of $19.0 million, costs of third-party technology embedded in certain of our 
subscription solutions of $7.4 million and amortization of software development costs of $4.3 million. The increase in 
amortization  of  software  development  costs  was  primarily  due  to  investments  made  on  innovation,  quality  and  the 
integration of our cloud-based solutions.

The increase in subscriptions gross margin when comparing 2017 to 2016 was primarily the result of the positive economics 
of shifting customers to our next generation cloud-based solutions as growth in subscriptions revenue outpaced the growth 
in related costs.

2016 vs. 2015

Excluding the incremental subscriptions revenue from Smart Tuition as discussed above, subscriptions revenue increased 
by $66.2 million during 2016 when compared 2015. The increase was primarily due to strong demand across our cloud-
based solution portfolio and, to a lesser extent, increases in the number of customers and the volume of transactions for 
which we process payments.

2017 Form 10-K

33

Blackbaud, Inc.

The increase in cost of subscriptions during 2016, when compared to 2015, was slightly lower than the increase in revenue. 
The increase in cost of subscriptions was driven primarily by increases in transaction-based costs related to our payments 
services and those of Smart Tuition of $21.8 million, amortization of intangible assets from business combinations of $8.2 
million, third-party contractor expenses $4.4 million, costs of third-party technology embedded in certain of our subscription 
solutions of $4.4 million and increases in amortization of software development costs of $3.0 million. The increase in 
amortization of intangible assets from business combinations was primarily due the incremental amortization of intangible 
assets  arising  from  the  acquisition  of  Smart  Tuition  in  October  2015.  The  increases  in  third-party  contract  costs  and 
amortization of software development costs were from investments made on innovation, quality and the integration of 
our cloud-based solutions.

The increase in subscriptions gross margin when comparing 2016 to 2015 was primarily the result of disciplined management 
of headcount and compensation costs as the growth in subscriptions revenue outpaced the growth in related costs.

34

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Maintenance

(dollars in millions)
Maintenance revenue

Cost of maintenance
Maintenance gross profit(1)
Maintenance gross margin

Years ended December 31,

2017
128.2

23.0

105.2

$

$

Change
(12.8)% $

4.0 %

2016
146.9

22.1

Change
(4.5)% $

(18.4)%

2015
153.8

27.1

(15.7)% $

124.9

(1.5)% $

126.7

82.1%

85.0%

82.4%

(1)  The individual amounts for each year may not sum to maintenance gross profit due to rounding.

Maintenance  revenue  is  comprised  of  annual  fees  derived  from  maintenance  contracts  associated  with  new  software 
licenses  and  annual  renewals  of  existing  maintenance  contracts.  These  contracts  provide  customers  with  updates, 
enhancements and certain upgrades to our software solutions and online, telephone and email support. Maintenance 
contracts are typically renewed on an annual basis.

Cost of maintenance is primarily comprised of compensation costs for customer support personnel, third-party contractor 
expenses, third-party royalty costs, allocated depreciation, facilities and IT support costs, amortization of intangible assets 
from business combinations, amortization of software development costs and other costs incurred in providing support 
and services to our customers.

2017 vs. 2016

The decrease in maintenance revenue during 2017, when compared to 2016, was primarily comprised of (i) reductions in 
maintenance from contracts that were migrated to a cloud-based subscription or not renewed and reductions in contracts 
with existing customers of $30.3 million; partially offset by (ii) incremental maintenance from new customers associated 
with  new  license  contracts  and  increases  in  contracts  with  existing  customers  of  $10.7  million;  and  (iii)  incremental 
maintenance from contractual inflationary rate adjustments of $0.9 million. 

Cost of maintenance increased during 2017, when compared to 2016, primarily as a result of an increase in compensation 
costs of $1.0 million, driven by a refinement in the method in which we allocate customer support costs between cost of 
maintenance and cost of subscriptions.

Maintenance gross margin decreased during 2017, when compared to 2016, primarily due to the increase in maintenance 
customer support costs combined with the decline in maintenance revenue as discussed above.

2016 vs. 2015 

The  decrease  in  maintenance  revenue  during  2016,  when  compared  to  2015,  was  primarily  related  to  a  reduction  in 
maintenance contracts associated with our on-premises Raiser's Edge and Financial Edge solutions as customers migrated 
to our cloud-based NXT solutions, partially offset by increases in maintenance contracts associated with Blackbaud Enterprise 
CRM.

The decrease in maintenance revenue during 2016 was primarily comprised of (i) $23.2 million of reductions in maintenance 
from contracts that were migrated to a cloud-based subscription or not renewed and reductions in contracts with existing 
customers; partially offset by (ii) $15.3 million of incremental maintenance from new customers associated with new license 
contracts  and  increases  in  contracts  with  existing  customers;  and  (iii)  $1.0  million  of  incremental  maintenance  from 
contractual inflationary rate adjustments.

Cost of maintenance decreased during 2016, when compared to 2015, primarily as a result of a decrease in compensation 
costs of $4.9 million, from a shift in support headcount from maintenance towards sales, marketing and customer success 
expense, and a shift in the volume of customer support requests from maintenance towards subscriptions. Also contributing 
to the decrease in compensation costs was an improvement in the efficiency of our customer support center.

Maintenance gross margin increased during 2016, when compared to 2015, primarily due to the shift in compensation 
costs from maintenance as discussed above, as well as the improvement in the efficiency of our customer support center.

2017 Form 10-K

35

Blackbaud, Inc.

Services and other

Years ended December 31,

(dollars in millions)
Services and other revenue

Cost of services revenue and other
Services and other gross profit(1)
Services and other gross margin

2017
137.3

96.2

41.1

$

$

Change
(11.4)% $

(6.8)%

2016
154.9

103.2

Change
1.6 % $

(6.3)%

2015
152.4

110.2

(20.4)% $

51.6

22.5 % $

42.2

29.9%

33.3%

27.7%

(1)  The individual amounts for each year may not sum to subscriptions gross profit due to rounding.

Services and other revenue includes consulting, implementation, training, analytic and installation services as well as revenue 
from  the  sale  of  our  software  sold  under  perpetual  license  arrangements,  fees  from  user  conferences  and  third-party 
software  referral  fees.  Consulting,  implementation  and  installation  services  involve  converting  data  from  a  customer’s 
existing system, system configuration, process re-engineering and assistance in file set up. Analytic services are comprised 
of donor prospect research, sales of lists of potential donors, benchmarking studies and data modeling services. These 
analytic services involve the assessment of current and prospective donor information of the customer and are performed 
using our proprietary analytical tools. The end product is intended to enable organizations to more effectively target their 
fundraising activities.

Cost of services and other is primarily comprised of compensation costs for professional services and training personnel, 
third-party contractor expenses, costs incurred in providing customer training, data expense incurred to perform analytic 
services, third-party software royalties, variable reseller commissions, costs of user conferences, allocated depreciation, 
facilities and IT support costs and amortization of intangible assets from business combinations.

2017 vs. 2016

Services and other revenue decreased during 2017, when compared to 2016, primarily due to a $14.4 million decrease in 
consulting revenue and, to a much lesser extent, declines in license fees revenue and analytics revenue. We expected the 
ongoing shift in  our go-to-market strategy towards  cloud-based subscription  offerings, which, in general, require less 
implementation services and little to no customization services to negatively impact services and other revenue. We have 
also used promotions and discounts for our consulting services as incentives to accelerate the migration of our existing 
customer  base  from  on-premises  solutions  toward  our  cloud-based  subscriptions.  The  maturation  of  our  Blackbaud 
Enterprise CRM solution is lessening the extent of implementation services required for that solution. In addition, we are 
increasingly selling our Blackbaud CRM solution as a subscription offering, which has resulted in less license fees revenue. 
We expect that the ongoing shift in our go-to-market strategy, as discussed above, will continue to negatively impact 
services and other revenue in the near-term, but the impact is expected to be more modest.

The decrease in cost of services and other during 2017, when compared to 2016, was primarily due to a decrease in 
compensation costs of $3.7 million, which is in line with the ongoing shift in our go-to-market strategy as discussed above.

Services and other gross margin decreased during 2017, when compared to 2016, primarily due to the declines in consulting, 
license fees and analytics revenue coupled with the more modest reductions in costs of services and other.

2016 vs. 2015 

Services and other revenue increased modestly during 2016, when compared to 2015, primarily due to increases in deliveries 
of consulting and training services related to our cloud-based solutions, as well as a reduction in non-billable implementation 
service hours. The growth in services revenue was partially offset by a decrease in license fees revenue primarily due to the 
continued transition of our solution portfolio away from a perpetual license-based model.

The decrease in cost of services and other during 2016, when compared to 2015, was primarily due to a decrease in 
compensation costs of $4.2 million, related to utilization improvements and a reduction in non-billable implementation 
service hours for our Blackbaud Enterprise CRM solution.

36

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Services gross margin increased during 2016, when compared to 2015, primarily due to increased consulting and training 
revenue coupled with improvements in the utilization of consulting services personnel and a reduction in non-billable 
implementation hours.

Operating expenses

Sales, marketing and customer success

(dollars in millions)
Sales, marketing and customer success expense $

2017
173.5

Change
11.4% $

2016
155.8

Change
26.0% $

2015
123.6

% of total revenue

22.0%

21.3%

19.4%

Sales, marketing and customer success expense includes compensation costs, variable sales commissions, travel-related 
expenses, advertising and marketing materials, public relations costs and allocated depreciation, facilities and IT support 
costs.

Years ended December 31,

2017 vs. 2016

We continue to make investments to drive sales effectiveness, which is a component of our four-point growth strategy to 
accelerate revenue growth. We also continue investing in our customer success organization to drive customer loyalty, 
retention and referrals. The increases in sales, marketing and customer success expense in dollars and as a percentage of 
total revenue during 2017, when compared to 2016, was primarily due to an increase in compensation costs of $12.8 
million. Also contributing to the increase in sales, marketing and customer success expense was an increase in commissions 
expense of $2.0 million. Compensation costs increased primarily due to incremental headcount associated with the increase 
in direct sales, marketing, and customer success efforts of our growing operations. The increase in commissions expense 
was primarily driven by an increase in commissionable sales.

2016 vs. 2015 

The increases in sales, marketing and customer success expense in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue during 
2016, when compared to 2015, was primarily due to increases in compensation costs of $21.5 million and commissions 
expense of $5.6 million. Compensation costs increased primarily due to incremental headcount to support the increase in 
direct sales, marketing, and customer success efforts of our growing operations. The expansion of our customer success 
program is targeted to ensure our customers are fully realizing the value of our solutions, which we believe will drive 
customer loyalty and retention and will also result in increased customer referrals. The increases in commission expense 
were primarily driven by increases in commissionable revenue during 2016 when compared to 2015. The inclusion of Smart 
Tuition for the full year in 2016 also contributed to the increases in compensation costs and commissions expense.

2017 Form 10-K

37

Blackbaud, Inc.

Research and development

Years ended December 31,

(dollars in millions)
Research and development expense(1)
% of total revenue

$

2017
89.9

11.4%

Change

—% $

2016
89.9

12.3%

Change

6.2% $

2015
84.6

13.3%

(1)  Not included in research and development expense for 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $28.0 million, $26.2 million, and $15.5 million, respectively, of 
qualifying costs associated with development activities that are required to be capitalized under the internal-use software accounting guidance such 
as those related to development of our next generation cloud-based solutions, as well as development costs associated with acquired companies. 
Qualifying capitalized software development costs associated with our cloud-based solutions are subsequently amortized to cost of subscriptions 
revenue over the related asset's estimated useful life, which generally range from three to seven years.

Research and development expense includes compensation costs for engineering and product management personnel, 
third-party contractor expenses, software development tools and other expenses related to researching and developing 
new solutions, upgrading and enhancing existing solutions, and allocated depreciation, facilities and IT support costs.

2017 vs. 2016

We continue to make investments to deliver integrated and open solutions in the cloud, which is a component of our four-
point growth strategy to accelerate revenue growth. Research and development expense remained unchanged during 
2017, when compared to 2016. During 2017, an increase in compensation costs of $1.3 million associated with our addition 
of specialized engineering resources to help drive our solution development efforts was offset primarily by an increase in 
the amount of software development costs that were capitalized of $1.9 million. As discussed above, the increases in the 
amounts capitalized were a result of incurring more qualifying costs associated with development activities that are required 
to be capitalized under the internal-use software guidance. We expect that the amount of software development costs 
capitalized will continue to increase modestly in the near-term as we make investments in innovation, quality and the 
integration of our solutions, which we believe will drive long-term revenue growth.

Research and development expense decreased as a percentage of total revenue during 2017, when compared to 2016, 
primarily due to productivity gains, which have allowed us to scale our business. The increases in the amounts of software 
development costs capitalized as discussed above also contributed to the decreases in research and development expense 
as a percentage of total revenue.

2016 vs. 2015 

The increase in research and development expense during 2016, when compared to 2015, was primarily due to an increase 
in compensation costs of $13.0 million. We have added engineering headcount to drive our solution development efforts, 
and the inclusion of Smart Tuition added to the increases in compensation costs. Also contributing to the increase in 
research and development expense during 2016 was an increase in third-party contractor expenses of $1.8 million, to 
assist in our solution development efforts. Partially offsetting these increases during 2016 was an increase of $10.7 million 
in  the  amount  of  software  development  costs  that  were  capitalized.  As  discussed  above,  the  increase  in  the  amount 
capitalized was a result of incurring more qualifying costs associated with development activities that are required to be 
capitalized under the internal-use software accounting guidance.

Research and development expense decreased as a percentage of total revenue during 2016, when compared to 2015, 
primarily due to the increase in the amount of software development costs capitalized as discussed above.

38

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

General and administrative

(dollars in millions)
General and administrative expense

% of total revenue

$

2017
94.9

12.0%

Change
16.6% $

2016
81.3

11.1%

Change

6.9% $

2015
76.1

11.9%

General and administrative expense consists primarily of compensation costs for general corporate functions, including 
senior management, finance, accounting, legal, human resources and corporate development, third-party professional 
fees, insurance, data security costs, allocated depreciation, facilities and IT support costs, acquisition-related expense and 
other administrative expenses.

Years ended December 31,

2017 vs. 2016

The increase in general and administrative expense during 2017, when compared to 2016, was primarily due to increases 
in rent expense of $4.4 million and employee severance costs of $2.4 million. A net increase in acquisition-related expenses 
and integration costs of $5.2 million during 2017 also drove up general and administrative expense. The increase in rent 
expense was primarily driven by the end in the fourth quarter of 2016 of the South Carolina state incentive payments we 
received as a result of locating our headquarters facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina. These amounts were recorded 
as a reduction of rent expense upon receipt. Also contributing to the increase in rent expense were new operating leases 
for equipment that we have historically purchased.

General and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenue increased during 2017, when compared to 2016, 
primarily due to the incremental acquisition-related costs and rent expense discussed above.

2016 vs. 2015 

 The increase in general and administrative expense during 2016 was driven primarily by an increase in compensation costs 
of $5.1 million. Compensation costs increased primarily due to increases in stock-based compensation expense, employee 
benefit costs and salaries for the resources needed to support the growth of our business. The increase in stock-based 
compensation expense was primarily driven by an increase in the grant date fair value of our annual equity awards granted 
during 2016 when compared to the grant date fair value of our annual equity awards granted during 2015. The inclusion 
of Smart Tuition also contributed to the growth in general and administrative expense during 2016.

General and administrative expense decreased as a percentage of total revenue during 2016, when compared to the same 
periods in 2015, primarily due our successful integration of Smart Tuition as well as progress against our operating efficiency 
initiative, which allowed us to improve resource effectiveness and maintain tight control over discretionary spending.

Restructuring

During 2017, in an effort to improve operating efficiency and further our organizational objectives, we initiated a plan to 
relocate  some  of  our  existing  offices  to  highly  modern  and  more  collaborative  workspaces  with  short-term  financial 
commitments. These workspaces are also more centrally located for our employees and closer to our customers. We are 
currently  evaluating  the  total  before-tax  restructuring  costs  we  expect  to  incur  as  a  result  of  this  plan  through  2019. 
Restructuring costs expected to be incurred consist primarily of costs to terminate existing lease agreements. For the year 
ended December 31, 2017, we incurred restructuring costs of $0.8 million related to the termination of our lease for office 
space in Emeryville, CA. For additional details about our restructuring activity, see Note 20 of our consolidated financial 
statements in this report.

2017 Form 10-K

39

Interest expense

(dollars in millions)
Interest expense

% of total revenue

2017 vs. 2016

Blackbaud, Inc.

Years ended December 31,

$

2017
12.1

1.5%

Change
14.3% $

2016
10.6

Change
31.1% $

1.4%

2015
8.1

1.3%

Interest  expense  increased  during  2017,  when  compared  to  2016,  primarily  due  to  the  required  immediate  expense 
recognition for certain debt issuance costs when we refinanced our credit facility in June 2017. Also contributing to the 
increase in interest expense during 2017 were modest increases in our weighted average effective interest rates, driven by 
an increasing interest rate environment during 2017. In  the near term, we expect interest expense as well as interest 
expense as a percentage of revenue to increase as a result of our acquisition of JustGiving.

2016 vs. 2015

Interest expense increased during 2016, when compared to 2015, primarily as a result of an increase in our average daily 
borrowings related to our acquisition of Smart Tuition in October 2015.

Deferred revenue

The table below compares the components of deferred revenue from our consolidated balance sheets:

(dollars in millions)
Subscriptions

Maintenance

Timing of recognition
Over the period billed in advance,

December 31,
2017

Change

December 31,
2016

generally one year $

185.0

28.0 % $

144.6

Over the period billed in advance,
generally one year

63.2

(17.7)%

Services and other
Total deferred revenue(1)
Less: Long-term portion
Current portion(1)
(1)  The individual amounts for each year may not sum to total deferred revenue or current portion of deferred revenue due to rounding.

As services are delivered

13.1 % $

(43.4)%

11.6 %

7.7 %

280.1

276.5

31.8

3.6

$

76.8

29.5

250.9

6.4

244.5

To the extent that our customers are billed for our solutions and services in advance of delivery, we record such amounts 
in deferred revenue. We generally invoice our subscription and maintenance customers in annual cycles 30 days prior to 
the end of the contract term. Deferred revenue attributable to subscriptions increased during 2017, when compared to 
2016, primarily due to an increase in subscription sales. The decrease in deferred revenue attributable to maintenance 
during  2017  was primarily  due  to  the  continuing  shift  in our  go-to-market  strategy  towards  cloud-based  subscription 
offerings which do not require maintenance contracts.

We have acquired businesses whose net tangible assets include deferred revenue. In accordance with GAAP reporting 
requirements, we recorded write-downs of deferred revenue from customer arrangements predating the acquisition to 
fair value, which resulted in lower recorded deferred revenue as of the acquisition date than the actual amounts paid in 
advance for solutions and services under those customer arrangements. Therefore, our deferred revenue after an acquisition 
will not reflect the full amount of deferred revenue that would have been reported if the acquired deferred revenue was 
not written down to fair value. Further explanation of this impact is included below under the caption "Non-GAAP financial 
measures".

40

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Income tax provision

Our income tax provision and effective income tax rates, including the effects of period-specific events, were:

(dollars in millions)
Income tax (benefit) provision

Effective income tax rate

Years ended December 31,

2017
(11.7)

$

$

2016
9.4

$

2015
11.3

(21.7)%

18.5%

30.6%

Our effective income tax rate may fluctuate quarterly as a result of factors, including changes in tax law in jurisdictions 
where we conduct business, transactions entered into, changes in the geographic distribution of our earnings or losses, 
and our assessment of certain tax contingencies and valuation allowances.

We have deferred tax assets for federal, state, and international net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits. The federal 
and state net operating loss carryforwards are subject to various Internal Revenue Code limitations and applicable state 
tax laws. A portion of the foreign and state net operating loss carryforwards and a portion of state tax credits have a 
valuation reserve due to the uncertainty of realizing such carryforwards and credits in the future.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. for federal and various state jurisdictions as well as in foreign jurisdictions including 
Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. We are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for 
calendar tax years ending 2014 through 2017, as well as state and foreign income tax examinations for various years 
depending on statute of limitations of those jurisdictions.

We have taken federal and state tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized 
tax benefits may decrease within the next twelve months. The possible decrease could result from the expiration of statutes 
of limitations. The reasonably possible decrease at December 31, 2017 was $1.6 million.

We recognize accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax 
expense.

2017 vs. 2016

The decrease in our effective income tax rate during 2017 when compared to 2016 was primarily due to the effect of U.S. 
tax reform legislation signed into law on December 22, 2017 (see Note 12 of our consolidated financial statements in this 
report for additional details). The $20.0 million discrete tax benefit to expense is attributable to the revaluation of the 
ending U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from the reduced U.S. corporate federal income tax rate from 35% 
to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.

The decrease in our effective income tax rate during 2017 when compared to 2016 was also attributable to a $12.5 million 
discrete tax benefit to expense relating to stock-based compensation items, as compared to a $7.7 million discrete tax 
benefit in 2016. The increase in the discrete tax benefit in 2017 relating to stock-based compensation was attributable to 
an increase in the market price for shares of our common stock, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq"), 
as well as an increase in the number of stock awards that vested and were exercised. Most of our equity awards are granted 
during our first quarter and vest in subsequent years during the same quarter.

In 2018, we expect that the reduced U.S. corporate federal income tax rate as well as our stock-based compensation will 
continue to provide significant tax benefits to our effective income tax rate.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefit that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate, was 
$4.6 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. 

2016 vs. 2015 

The decrease in our effective income tax rate during 2016 when compared to 2015 was primarily due to a $7.7 million 
benefit to expense from the early adoption of ASU 2016-09 relating to stock-based compensation. Under ASU 2016-09, 
tax benefits in excess of compensation costs (windfalls) generated upon the exercise or settlement of stock awards are no 

2017 Form 10-K

41

  
Blackbaud, Inc.

longer recognized as additional paid-in capital but are instead recognized as a reduction to income tax expense. This change 
in accounting for income taxes was effective for us on a prospective basis as of the beginning of the 2016 fiscal year. The 
decrease in our effective income tax rate was partially offset by a $1.0 million charge to expense from Section 162(m) 
nondeductible compensation.

Non-GAAP financial measures

The operating results analyzed below are presented on a non-GAAP basis. We use non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP gross 
profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income 
and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share internally in analyzing our operational performance. Accordingly, we believe 
these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors, as a supplement to GAAP measures, in evaluating our ongoing operational 
performance. While we believe these non-GAAP measures provide useful supplemental information, non-GAAP financial 
measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance 
with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be completely comparable to similarly titled measures 
of other companies due to potential differences in the exact method of calculation between companies. 

We have acquired businesses whose net tangible assets include deferred revenue. In accordance with GAAP reporting 
requirements, we recorded write-downs of deferred revenue under arrangements predating the acquisition to fair value, 
which resulted in lower recognized revenue than the contributed purchase price until the related obligations to provide 
services under such arrangements are fulfilled. Therefore, our GAAP revenues after the acquisitions will not reflect the full 
amount of revenue that would have been reported if the acquired deferred revenue was not written down to fair value. 
The non-GAAP measures described below reverse the acquisition-related deferred revenue write-downs so that the full 
amount of revenue booked by the acquired companies is included, which we believe provides a more accurate representation 
of a revenue run-rate in a given period and, therefore, will provide more meaningful comparative results in future periods. 

The non-GAAP financial measures discussed below exclude the impact of certain transactions because we believe they are 
not directly related to our operating performance in any particular period, but are for our long-term benefit over multiple 
periods. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect our ongoing business in a manner that allows for 
meaningful period-to-period comparisons and analysis of trends in our business.

(dollars in millions)

GAAP Revenue

Non-GAAP adjustments:

 Add: Acquisition-related deferred revenue
write-down
Non-GAAP revenue(1)

GAAP gross profit

GAAP gross margin

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Add: Acquisition-related deferred revenue
write-down

Add: Stock-based compensation expense

Add: Amortization of intangibles from
business combinations

Add: Employee severance

Add: Acquisition-related integration costs

Subtotal(1)

Non-GAAP gross profit(1)

Non-GAAP gross margin

2017

$

788.3

Change
7.9 % $

2016

730.8

Change
14.6 % $

2015

637.9

Years ended December 31,

$

$

$

2.5

790.8

426.4

54.1%

(31.4)%

3.6

(61.2)%

9.4

7.7 % $

734.5

13.5 % $

647.3

8.9 % $

391.6

17.5 % $

333.3

53.6%

52.2%

2.5

3.5

(31.4)%

5.2 %

40.1

1.0

0.1

47.1

473.5

1.4 %

160.2 %

100.0 %

0.6 %

8.0 % $

3.6

3.3

39.6

0.4

—

46.9

438.5

(61.2)%

(5.6)%

31.9 %

(74.4)%

— %

5.7 %

16.1 % $

9.4

3.5

30.0

1.5

—

44.3

377.7

59.9%

59.7%

58.3%

(1)  The individual amounts for each year may not sum to non-GAAP revenue, subtotal or non-GAAP gross profit due to rounding.

42

2017 Form 10-K

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

GAAP income from operations

$

GAAP operating margin

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Add: Acquisition-related deferred revenue
write-down

Add: Stock-based compensation expense

Add: Amortization of intangibles from
business combinations

Add: Employee severance

Add: Impairment of capitalized software
development costs

Add: Acquisition-related integration costs

Add: Acquisition-related expenses

Add: Restructuring costs

Subtotal(1)

Non-GAAP income from operations(1)

Non-GAAP operating margin

GAAP income before provision for income
taxes

GAAP net income
Shares used in computing GAAP diluted
earnings per share

GAAP diluted earnings per share

Non-GAAP adjustments:
Add: GAAP income tax (benefit) provision

Add: Total Non-GAAP adjustments affecting
loss from operations

Add: Loss on sale of business

Less: Gain on derivative instrument

Add: Loss on debt extinguishment

Non-GAAP income before provision for
income taxes
Assumed non-GAAP income tax provision(2)
Non-GAAP net income(1)

$

Blackbaud, Inc.

Years ended December 31,

2017

64.0

8.1%

Change
3.6 % $

Change
32.3 % $

2016

61.8

8.5%

2015

46.7

7.3%

(31.4)%

24.5 %

2.3 %

117.8 %

— %

(31.9)%

1,864.8 %

100.0 %

19.6 %

12.7 % $

2.5

40.6

43.4

4.3

—

1.0

5.9

0.8

98.5

162.5

20.6%

3.6

32.6

42.4

2.0

(61.2)%

29.3 %

31.6 %

(37.1)%

— (100.0)%

1.4

0.3

—

82.4

144.2

19.6%

30.1 %

(92.3)%

— %

9.5 %

18.2 % $

9.4

25.2

32.2

3.2

0.2

1.1

3.9

—

75.2

122.0

18.8%

54.2

65.9

6.4 % $

58.8 % $

50.9

41.5

37.8 % $

61.9 % $

37.0

25.6

$

$

$

47,775,702

$

1.38

1.0 % 47,316,538

1.8 % 46,498,704

56.8 % $

0.88

60.0 % $

0.55

(11.7)

(224.7)%

9.4

(16.7)%

98.5

—

(0.5)

0.3

152.5

48.8

103.7

19.6 %

— %

100.0 %

100.0 %

14.4 %

14.4 %

14.4 % $

82.4

9.5 %

— (100.0)%

—

—

133.3

42.7

90.7

— %

— %

16.8 %

(4.2)%

30.2 % $

11.3

75.2

2.0

—

—

114.2

44.5

69.6

Shares used in computing Non-GAAP diluted
earnings per share

47,775,702

1.0 % 47,316,538

1.8 % 46,498,704

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share

$

2.17

13.0 % $

1.92

28.0 % $

1.50

(1)  The individual amounts for each year may not sum to subtotal, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP income before provision for 

income taxes or non-GAAP net income due to rounding.

(2)  For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we applied a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 32.0% in our determination of non-GAAP net 
income. For year ended December 31, 2015, non-GAAP net income was calculated under our historical non-GAAP effective tax rate of 39.0%.

2017 Form 10-K

43

Blackbaud, Inc.

Beginning in 2018, we intend to update the non-GAAP tax rate we apply when calculating non-GAAP net income and 
non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in future periods. Since the first quarter of 2016, for the purposes of determining 
non-GAAP net income, we have utilized a non-GAAP tax rate of 32.0% in our calculation of the tax impact related to non-
GAAP adjustments. We intend to adjust this rate to 20.0% to better reflect our periodic effective tax rate calculated in 
accordance with GAAP and our current expectations related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was enacted into law on 
December 22, 2017 and, among other items, reduces the federal tax rate for corporations from 35.0% to 21.0% beginning 
in  2018.  The  non-GAAP  tax  rate  utilized  in  future  periods  will  be  reviewed  annually  to  determine  whether  it  remains 
appropriate in consideration of our financial results including our periodic effective tax rate calculated in accordance with 
GAAP, our operating environment and related tax legislation in effect and other factors deemed necessary. All measures 
of the tax impact related to non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share included above are calculated 
under our historical methodologies.

2017 vs. 2016

The increases in non-GAAP income from operations and non-GAAP operating margin during 2017 when compared to 
2016, were primarily due to growth in subscriptions revenue, partially offset by investments we are making in our sales 
organization and customer success program, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in rent expense as discussed above.

2016 vs. 2015 

The increases in non-GAAP income from operations and non-GAAP operating margin during 2016 when compared to 
2015, were primarily due to growth in subscriptions revenue, improvements in the utilization of consulting services personnel 
and a reduction in non-billable implementation service hours, partially offset by increases in transaction-based costs related 
to our payments services, compensation costs and investments we made in our sales organization and customer success 
program,  as  discussed  above.  The  inclusion  of  Smart  Tuition  for  the  full  year  in  2016  contributed  to  the  increase  in 
subscriptions revenue as well as the increases in costs related to our payment services and compensation costs.

Non-GAAP free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures, including costs required to be capitalized 
for software development, and capital expenditures for property and equipment.

(dollars in millions)

2017

Change

2016

Change

2015

GAAP net cash provided by operating
activities

Less: purchase of property and equipment

Less: capitalized software development costs

Non-GAAP free cash flow

$

$

176.3

14.8 % $

153.6

18.9 % $

(10.2)

(28.3)

(42.3)%

7.5 %

(17.7)

(26.4)

(5.0)%

70.3 %

137.7

25.7 % $

109.6

15.2 % $

129.2

(18.6)

(15.5)

95.1

Years ended December 31,

44

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Non-GAAP organic revenue growth

In addition, we use non-GAAP organic revenue growth and non-GAAP organic revenue growth on a constant currency 
basis, non-GAAP organic subscriptions revenue growth and non-GAAP organic recurring revenue growth, in analyzing our 
operating performance. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors, as a supplement to GAAP 
measures, for evaluating the periodic growth of our business on a consistent basis. Each of these measures of non-GAAP 
organic revenue growth excludes incremental acquisition-related revenue attributable to companies acquired in the current 
fiscal year. For companies, if any, acquired in the immediately preceding fiscal year, each of these non-GAAP organic 
revenue growth measures reflects presentation of full year incremental non-GAAP revenue derived from such companies 
as if they were combined throughout the prior period, and they include the non-GAAP revenue attributable to those 
companies, as if there were no acquisition-related write-downs of acquired deferred revenue to fair value as required by 
GAAP. In addition, each of these non-GAAP organic revenue growth measures excludes prior period revenue associated 
with divested businesses. The exclusion of the prior period revenue is to present the results of the divested businesses 
within the results of the combined company for the same period of time in both the prior and current periods. We believe 
this presentation provides a more comparable representation of its current business’ organic revenue growth and revenue 
run-rate.

2017

(dollars in millions)

GAAP revenue
Add: Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue (1)
Total Non-GAAP adjustments
Non-GAAP revenue (2)
Foreign currency impact on Non-GAAP revenue (3)
Non-GAAP revenue on constant currency basis (3)

GAAP subscriptions revenue
(Less) Add: Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue (1)
Total Non-GAAP adjustments
Non-GAAP subscriptions revenue

Years ended December 31,

2017

788.3
(13.9)
(13.9)
774.4
—
774.4

522.9
(13.1)
(13.1)
509.7

Change

7.9% $

5.4% $

5.4% $

21.9% $

17.9% $

2016

730.8
3.6
3.6
734.5
—
734.5

429.0
3.5
3.5
432.5

$

$

$

$

$

$

GAAP subscriptions revenue
GAAP maintenance revenue
GAAP recurring revenue
Add: Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue (1)
Total Non-GAAP adjustments
Non-GAAP recurring revenue
(1)  Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue excludes incremental acquisition-related revenue calculated in accordance with GAAP that is attributable to 
companies acquired in the current fiscal year. For companies acquired in the immediately preceding fiscal year, non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue 
reflects presentation of full-year incremental non-GAAP revenue derived from such companies, as if they were combined throughout the prior 
period,  and  it  includes  the  current  period  non-GAAP  revenue  from  the  acquisition-related  deferred  revenue  write-down  attributable  to  those 
companies.

522.9
128.2
651.0
(13.1)
(13.1)
637.9

429.0
146.9
575.9
3.6
3.6
579.6

10.1% $

13.0% $

$

$

$

(2)  Non-GAAP revenue for the prior year periods presented herein will not agree to non-GAAP revenue presented in the respective prior period quarterly 

financial information solely due to the manner in which non-GAAP organic revenue growth is calculated.

(3)  To determine non-GAAP organic revenue growth on a constant currency basis, revenues from entities reporting in foreign currencies were translated 
to U.S. Dollars using the comparable prior period's quarterly weighted average foreign currency exchange rates. The primary foreign currencies 
creating the impact are the Canadian Dollar, EURO, British Pound and Australian Dollar.

2017 Form 10-K

45

Blackbaud, Inc.

2016 

(dollars in millions)

GAAP revenue
Add: Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue (1)
Less: Revenue from divested businesses (2)
Total Non-GAAP adjustments
Non-GAAP revenue (3)
Foreign currency impact on Non-GAAP revenue (4)
Non-GAAP revenue on constant currency basis (4)

GAAP subscriptions revenue
(Less) Add: Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue (1)
Less: Revenue from divested businesses (2)
Total Non-GAAP adjustments
Non-GAAP subscriptions revenue

Years ended December 31,

2016

730.8
3.6
—
3.6
734.5
4.2
738.6

429.0
3.5
—
3.5
432.5

Change

14.6% $

9.2% $

9.8% $

29.3% $

19.2% $

2015

637.9
35.5
(0.6)
34.9
672.8
—
672.8

331.8
31.2
(0.2)
31.0
362.7

$

$

$

$

$

$

GAAP subscriptions revenue
GAAP maintenance revenue
GAAP recurring revenue
(Less) Add: Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue (1)
Less: Revenue from divested businesses (2)
Total Non-GAAP adjustments
Non-GAAP recurring revenue
(1)  Non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue excludes incremental acquisition-related revenue calculated in accordance with GAAP that is attributable to 
companies acquired in the current fiscal year. For companies acquired in the immediately preceding fiscal year, non-GAAP acquisition-related revenue 
reflects presentation of full-year incremental non-GAAP revenue derived from such companies, as if they were combined throughout the prior 
period,  and  it  includes  the  current  period  non-GAAP  revenue  from  the  acquisition-related  deferred  revenue  write-down  attributable  to  those 
companies.

331.8
153.8
485.6
34.5
(0.4)
34.1
519.7

429.0
146.9
575.9
3.6
—
3.6
579.6

11.5% $

18.6% $

$

$

$

(2)  For businesses divested in the current fiscal year, non-GAAP organic revenue growth excludes a portion of the prior year period revenue associated 
with businesses divested of in the current fiscal year. The exclusion of the prior period revenue is to present the results of the divested business with 
the results of the combined company for the same period of time in both the prior and current periods.

(3)  Non-GAAP revenue for the prior year periods presented herein will not agree to non-GAAP revenue presented in the respective prior period quarterly 

financial information solely due to the manner in which non-GAAP organic revenue growth is calculated.

(4)  To determine non-GAAP organic revenue growth on a constant currency basis, revenues from entities reporting in foreign currencies were translated 
to U.S. Dollars using the comparable prior period's quarterly weighted average foreign currency exchange rates. The primary foreign currencies 
creating the impact are the Canadian Dollar, EURO, British Pound and Australian Dollar.

Seasonality

Our revenues normally fluctuate as a result of certain seasonal variations in our business. Our transaction revenue has 
historically been at its lowest in the first quarter due to the timing of customer fundraising initiatives and events. Our 
revenue from payment processing services has historically increased during the fourth quarter due to year-end giving. Our 
revenue from professional services has historically been lower in the first quarter when many of those services commence 
and in the fourth quarter due to the holiday season. As a result of these and other factors, our total revenue has historically 
been lower in the first quarter than in the remainder of our fiscal year, with the third and fourth quarters historically 
achieving the highest total revenues. Our expenses, however, do not vary significantly as a result of these factors, but do 
fluctuate on a quarterly basis due to varying timing of expenditures. Our cash flow from operations normally fluctuates 
quarterly due to the combination of the timing of customer contract renewals including renewals associated with customers 
of acquired companies, delivery of professional services and occurrence of customer events, the payment of bonuses, as 
well as merit-based salary increases, among other factors. Historically, due to lower revenues in our first quarter, combined 
with the payment of bonuses from the prior year in our first quarter, our cash flow from operations has been lowest in 
our first quarter, and due to the timing of customer contract renewals, many of which take place at or near the beginning 

46

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

of our third quarter, our cash flow from operations has been lower in our second quarter as compared to our third and 
fourth quarters. Partially offsetting these favorable drivers of cash flow from operations in our third and fourth quarters 
are merit-based salary increases, which are generally effective in April each year. In addition, deferred revenues can vary 
on a seasonal basis for the same reasons. These patterns may change as a result of the continued shift to online giving, 
growth in volume of transactions for which we process payments, or as a result of acquisitions, new market opportunities, 
new solution introductions or other factors. Our cash flow from financing is negatively impacted in our first quarter when 
most of our equity awards vest, as we pay taxes on behalf of our employees related to the settlement or exercise of equity 
awards.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table presents selected financial information about our financial position:

(dollars in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents

Property and equipment, net

Software development costs, net

Total carrying value of debt
Working capital

Working capital excluding deferred revenue

December 31,
2017
29.8

$

Change
76.5 % $

December 31,
2016
16.9

42.2

54.1

438.2

(181.9)

94.6

(16.0)%

43.9 %

28.0 %

(5.6)%

30.8 %

50.3

37.6

342.4

(172.2)

72.3

The following table presents selected financial information about our cash flows:

Years ended December 31,

(dollars in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities

2017
176.3

$

Change
14.8 % $

2016
153.6

Change
18.9 % $

Net cash used in investing activities

(184.9)

289.8 %

(47.4)

(66.4)%

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

278.6 (3,360.5)%

(8.5)

(106.6)%

2015
129.2

(141.4)

129.8

Our principal sources of liquidity are operating cash flow, funds available under the 2017 Credit Facility and cash on hand. 
Our  operating  cash  flow  depends  on  continued  customer  renewals  of  our  subscription,  maintenance  and  support 
arrangements and market acceptance of our solutions and services. Based on current estimates of revenue and expenses, 
we believe that the currently available sources of funds and anticipated cash flows from operations will be adequate for 
at least the next twelve months to finance our operations, fund anticipated capital expenditures, meet our debt obligations 
and pay dividends. Dividend payments are not guaranteed and our Board of Directors may decide, in its absolute discretion, 
at any time and for any reason, not to declare and pay further dividends and/or repurchase our common stock. To the 
extent  we  undertake  future  material  acquisitions,  investments  or  unanticipated  capital  expenditures,  we  may  require 
additional capital. In that context, we regularly evaluate opportunities to enhance our capital structure including through 
potential debt or equity issuances.

At December 31, 2017, our total cash and cash equivalents balance included approximately $17.2 million of cash that was 
held outside the U.S. While these funds may not be needed to fund our U.S. operations for at least the next twelve months, 
if we need these funds, we may be required to accrue and pay taxes to repatriate a portion of the funds. We currently do 
not intend nor anticipate a need to repatriate our cash held outside the U.S.

Operating cash flow

Throughout 2017, 2016 and 2015, our cash flows from operations were derived principally from: (i) our earnings from 
on-going operations prior to non-cash expenses such as depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, loss on 
sale of business, impairment of capitalized software development costs, amortization of deferred financing costs and debt 
discount and adjustments to our provision for sales returns and allowances; and (ii) changes in our working capital.

2017 Form 10-K

47

Blackbaud, Inc.

Working capital changes are composed of changes in accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets, trade accounts 
payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, and deferred revenue. 

2017 vs. 2016

Cash flow from operations associated with working capital decreased $5.0 million during 2017 when compared to 2016, 
primarily due to:

• 

• 

an increase in prepaid taxes during 2017 related to tax planning; partially offset by

a decrease in bonus payments.

2016 vs. 2015 

Cash flow from operations associated with working capital decreased $7.3 million during 2016 when compared to 2015, 
primarily due to:

• 

• 

• 

an increase in current period bonus payments as a result of an increase in amounts accrued as of December 31, 
2015 for over-performance against 2015 targets, as well as a change in the timing of payouts for certain bonus 
plans, from semi-annually to quarterly;

a larger increase in trade accounts payable during 2015 than in 2016; partially offset by 

the use of and reduction in amounts prepaid for incomes taxes.

Investing cash flow

During 2018, we expect capital expenditures to be between approximately $45.0 million and $55.0 million, which includes 
purchases of property and equipment and estimated cash outlays for capitalized software development costs. Refer to the 
commitments and contingencies subsection below for future minimum commitments related to purchase obligations.

2017 vs. 2016

Net cash used in investing activities of $184.9 million increased by $137.5 million during 2017, when compared to 2016. 

During 2017, we used net cash of $146.8 million for the acquisitions of AcademicWorks and JustGiving compared to $3.4 
million spent on investments in acquired companies in 2016. We used $28.3 million of cash for software development 
costs, which was up modestly from cash spent during 2016, as we continue to make investments in innovation, quality 
and the integration of our solutions cloud-based solutions.

We also spent $10.2 million of cash for purchases of property and equipment during 2017, which was down $7.5 million 
from cash spent in 2016. The decrease in cash outlays for property and equipment was primarily driven by a shift toward 
leasing certain equipment that we have historically purchased. Cash outlays for operating leases are presented in operating 
cash flows. 

2016 vs. 2015 

Net cash used in investing activities of $47.4 million decreased by $93.9 million during 2016, when compared to 2015. 

During 2016, we used $26.4 million of cash for software development costs, which was up $10.9 million from cash spent 
during 2015. The increase in cash outlays for software development costs was primarily driven by development activities 
related to our next generation NXT and Luminate cloud-based solutions. 

We spent $17.7 million of cash for purchases of property and equipment during 2016, which was relatively consistent 
with the amount spent in 2015, as we continued to invest in our information technology platforms and infrastructure used 
in the delivery of our solutions to customers as well as various facilities upgrades.

During 2016, we used $3.9 million of cash for the acquisition of Attentive.ly and received an insignificant post-closing 
working capital adjustment associated with the prior year acquisition of Smart Tuition compared to $106.7 million used 
in 2015 for the acquisition of Smart Tuition.

48

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Financing cash flow

2017 vs. 2016

During 2017, we had a net increase in borrowings of $95.4 million, which was used to finance our acquisition of JustGiving, 
compared to a net decrease in borrowings of $66.4 million in 2016. We also paid $3.1 million in financing costs as a result 
of refinancing our credit facility.

We paid $24.0 million to satisfy tax obligations of employees upon settlement or exercise of equity awards during 2017 
compared to $15.4 million during 2016. The amount of taxes paid by us on the behalf of employees related to the settlement 
or exercise of equity awards varies from period to period based upon the timing of grants and vesting, employee exercise 
decisions, as well as the market price for shares of our common stock at the time of settlement. Due to a change in the 
timing of our annual equity award grants, most of our equity awards now vest in our first quarter. In addition, during 
2017, we paid dividends of $23.1 million, which was relatively consistent with 2016.

Cash flow from financing activities associated with changes in restricted cash due to customers increased $130.7 million
during 2017 when compared to 2016.

2016 vs. 2015

During 2016, we had a net decrease in borrowings of $66.4 million and paid dividends of $22.8 million, which was relatively 
consistent with the amount paid in 2015.

Cash flow from financing activities associated with changes in restricted cash due to customers increased $61.7 million
during 2016 when compared to 2015.

2017 Credit Facility

In June 2017, we entered into a five-year $700.0 million senior credit facility (the "2017 Credit Facility). Upon closing, we 
drew $300.0 million on a term loan and $110.0 million in revolving credit loans, which was used to repay all amounts 
outstanding under our previous credit facility and for other general corporate purposes.

We have drawn on our credit facility from time to time to help us meet financial needs, such as financing for business 
acquisitions. At December 31, 2017, our available borrowing capacity under the 2017 Credit Facility was $254.2 million. 
The 2017 Credit Facility matures in June 2022.

At December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of our debt under the 2017 Credit Facility was $437.1 million. Our average 
daily borrowings were $391.0 million during 2017.

Following is a summary of the financial covenants under our credit facility:

Financial Covenant
Net Leverage Ratio

Interest Coverage Ratio

Requirement

Ratio as of December 31, 2017
2.13 to 1.00

16.08 to 1.00

Under the 2017 Credit Facility, we also have restrictions on our ability to declare and pay dividends and our ability to 
repurchase shares of our common stock. In order to pay any cash dividends and/or repurchase shares of stock: (i) no default 
or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing under the 2017 Credit Facility, and (ii) our pro forma net leverage 
ratio, as set forth in the 2017 Credit Facility, must be 0.25 less than the net leverage ratio requirement at the time of 
dividend declaration or share repurchase. At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with our debt covenants under 
the 2017 Credit Facility.

2017 Form 10-K

49

Blackbaud, Inc.

Commitments and contingencies

As of December 31, 2017, we had contractual obligations with future minimum commitments as follows:

(in millions)

Recorded contractual obligations:
Debt(1)

Unrecorded contractual obligations:
Operating leases(2)
Interest payments on debt(3)
Purchase obligations(4)
Total contractual obligations

Payments due by period

Total

Less than 1
year

1-3 years

3-5 years

More than 5
years

$

440.3 $

8.6 $

15.0 $

416.8 $

—

189.3

54.8

66.8

22.4

12.6

29.7

39.1

25.2

37.1

33.3

17.0

—

94.5

—

—

$

751.2 $

73.2 $

116.4 $

467.1 $

94.5

(1)  Represents principal payments only, under the following assumptions: (i) that the amounts outstanding under the 2017 Credit Facility and our other 
debt at December 31, 2017 will remain outstanding until maturity, with minimum payments occurring as currently scheduled, and (ii) that there 
are no assumed future borrowings on the 2017 Revolving Facility for the purposes of determining minimum commitment amounts.

(2)  Our commitments related to operating leases have not been reduced by incentive payments and reimbursement of leasehold improvements.
(3)  The actual interest expense recognized in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income will depend on the amount of debt, the length 

of time the debt is outstanding and the interest rate, which could be different from our assumptions described in (1) above.

(4)  We have contractual obligations for third-party technology used in our solutions and for other service we purchase as part of our normal operations. 

In certain cases, these arrangements require a minimum annual purchase commitment by us.

The term loan under the 2017 Credit Facility and our other debt require periodic principal payments. The balance of the 
term loans and any amounts drawn on the revolving credit loans are due upon maturity of the 2017 Credit Facility in June 
2022.

The total liability for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, was $5.2 million and $3.1 
million, respectively. Our accrued interest and penalties related to tax positions taken on our tax returns was insignificant
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

In February 2018, our Board of Directors approved our annual dividend rate of $0.48 per share to be made in quarterly 
payments. Dividends at this annual rate would aggregate to $23.5 million assuming 49.0 million shares of common stock 
are outstanding, although dividends are not guaranteed and our Board of Directors may decide, in its absolute discretion, 
to change or suspend dividend payments at any time for any reason. Our ability to continue to declare and pay dividends 
quarterly this year and beyond might be restricted by, among other things, the terms of the 2017 Credit Facility, general 
economic conditions and our ability to generate adequate operating cash flow.

On February 6, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter dividend of $0.12 per share payable on March 15, 
2018 to stockholders of record on February 28, 2018.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2017, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation 
S-K promulgated by the SEC, that have or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, 
changes in our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital 
resources that is material to investors.

50

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Approximately 10% of our total revenue for 2017 was generated by operations outside the United States. We do not have 
significant operations in countries in which the economy is considered to be highly inflationary. Our consolidated financial 
statements are denominated in U.S. dollars and, accordingly, changes in the exchange rate between foreign currencies 
and the U.S. dollar will affect the translation of our subsidiaries’ financial results into U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting 
our consolidated financial results. The accumulated currency translation adjustment, recorded within other comprehensive 
loss as a component of stockholders’ equity, was a loss of $1.4 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017 and 
December 31, 2016, respectively.

The vast majority of our contracts are entered into by our U.S. or U.K. entities. The contracts entered into by the U.S. entity 
are almost always denominated in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars, and contracts entered into by our U.K., Australian and 
Irish subsidiaries are generally denominated in British Pounds, Australian dollars and Euros, respectively. Historically, as the 
U.S. dollar weakened, foreign currency translation resulted in an increase in our revenues and expenses denominated in 
non-U.S. currencies. Conversely, as the U.S. dollar strengthened, foreign currency translation resulted in a decrease in our 
revenues and expenses denominated in non-U.S. currencies. During 2017, foreign translation resulted in an increase in 
our revenues and expenses denominated in non-U.S. currencies. Though we have exposure to fluctuations in currency 
exchange rates, the impact has generally not been material to our consolidated results of operations or financial position. 
During 2017, the fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates had insignificant impacts on our total revenue and income 
from operations. We will continue monitoring such exposure and take action as appropriate. To determine the impacts on 
revenue (or income from operations) from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, current period revenues (or income 
from operations) from entities reporting in foreign currencies were translated into U.S. dollars using the comparable prior 
year period's weighted average foreign currency exchange rates. These impacts are non-GAAP financial information and 
are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If 
our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs 
through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. 
In addition, if inflationary pressures impact the rate of giving to our customers, there could be adverse impacts to our 
business, financial condition and results of operations.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial 
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
("GAAP"). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial 
statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, 
we reconsider and evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those that impact revenue recognition, long-lived 
and intangible assets including goodwill, income taxes, and business combinations, among others.

We  base  our  estimates  on  historical  experience,  current  trends  and  various  other  assumptions  that  we  believe  to  be 
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values 
of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could materially differ from any of 
our estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 of our 
consolidated financial statements in this report. We believe the accounting estimates listed below are the most critical to 
aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require our most difficult, subjective or 
complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

2017 Form 10-K

51

Blackbaud, Inc.

Revenue Recognition

Description

Judgments and Uncertainties

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial 
statements in this report for a complete 
discussion of our revenue recognition 
policies.

Our revenue recognition accounting methodology 
contains uncertainties because it requires us to make 
significant estimates and assumptions, and to apply 
judgment.

We recognize revenue when all of the 
following conditions are met:

(1)  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement 
exists;

(2) The solutions or services have been 
delivered;

(3) The fee is fixed or determinable; and

(4) Collection of the resulting receivable is 
probable.

To the extent that our customers are billed 
for our solutions and services in advance of 
meeting each of the conditions above, we 
record such amounts in deferred revenue.

For example, for arrangements that have multiple 
elements and do not include software licenses, we 
must exercise judgment and use estimates in order 
to (1) determine whether and when each element 
has been delivered; (2) determine the fair value of 
each element using the selling price hierarchy of 
VSOE of fair value if available, third-party evidence 
("TPE") if VSOE is not available, and best estimate of 
selling price ("BESP") if neither VSOE nor TPE is 
available; and (3) allocate the total price among the 
various elements based on the relative selling price 
method.

In addition, we exercise judgment in certain 
transactions when determining whether we should 
recognize revenue based on the gross amount billed 
to a customer (as a principal) or the net amount 
retained (as an agent). These judgments are based 
on the predominant weighting of factors identified 
in accounting guidance.

Business Combinations

Description

Judgments and Uncertainties

We allocate the purchase price of an 
acquired business to its identifiable assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed at the 
acquisition date based upon their estimated 
fair values. The excess of the purchase price 
over the amount allocated to the assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, is 
recorded as goodwill.

We use available information to estimate fair 
values. We typically engage outside appraisal 
firms to assist in the fair value determination 
of long-lived and identifiable intangible 
assets, and any other significant assets or 
liabilities. We adjust the preliminary purchase 
price allocation, as necessary, up to one year 
after the acquisition closing date as we 
obtain new information about facts and 
circumstances that existed as of the closing 
date.

Our purchase price allocation methodology contains 
uncertainties because it requires us to make 
significant estimates and assumptions, and to apply 
judgment to estimate the fair value of assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed, especially with 
respect to long-lived and intangible assets.

Management estimates the fair value of assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed based on quoted 
market prices, the carrying value of the acquired 
assets and widely accepted valuation techniques, 
including discounted cash flows and market multiple 
analyses.

Critical estimates in valuing intangible assets include, 
but are not limited to, estimates about: future 
expected cash flows from customer contracts and 
relationships, proprietary technology and non-
compete agreements; the acquired company's brand 
awareness and market position, the market 
awareness of the acquired company's branded 
technology solutions and services, assumptions 
about the period of time the brands will continue to 
be valuable; as well as expected costs to develop any 
in-process research and development into 
commercially viable solutions and estimated cash 
flows from the projects when completed, and 
discount rates. Our estimates of fair value are based 
upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but 
which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. 
Assumptions may be incomplete or inaccurate, and 
unanticipated events and circumstances may occur.

Effect if Actual Results Differ
 From Assumptions

If we were to change any of these judgments
or estimates, it could cause a material
increase or decrease in the amount of
revenue or deferred revenue that we report in
a particular period.

Effect if Actual Results Differ
 From Assumptions

If actual results are materially different than 
the assumptions we used to determine fair 
value of the assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed through a business combination as 
well as the estimated useful lives of the 
acquired intangible assets, it is possible that 
adjustments to the carrying values of such 
assets and liabilities will have a material 
impact on our financial position and results of 
operations.

See Note 3 to our consolidated financial 
statements in this report for information 
regarding our business acquisitions.

52

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Income Taxes

Description

Judgments and Uncertainties

We make estimates and judgments in 
accounting for income taxes. Our income tax 
returns, like those of most companies, are 
periodically audited by domestic and foreign 
tax authorities.

We measure and recognize uncertain tax 
positions. To recognize uncertain tax 
positions, we must first determine if it is 
more likely than not that the position will be 
sustained upon audit. We must then 
measure the benefit as the largest amount 
that is more than 50% likely of being 
realized upon ultimate settlement.

We make estimates in determining tax assets 
and liabilities, which arise from differences in 
the timing of recognition of revenue and 
expense for tax and financial reporting 
purposes. We record valuation allowances to 
reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount 
expected to be realized.

The calculation of our income tax provision requires 
estimates due to transactions, credits and 
calculations where the ultimate tax determination is 
uncertain. Uncertainties arise as a consequence of 
the actual source of taxable income between 
domestic and foreign locations, the outcome of tax 
audits and the ultimate utilization of tax credits.

Our effective income tax rate is also affected by 
changes in the geographic distribution of our 
earnings or losses, changes in tax law in jurisdictions 
where we conduct business.

Significant judgment is required in the identification 
and measurement of uncertain tax positions. Our 
liability for unrecognized tax benefits contains 
uncertainties because management is required to 
make assumptions and to apply judgment to 
estimate the exposures associated with our various 
filing positions.

In assessing the adequacy of a recorded valuation 
allowance significant judgment is required.  We 
consider all positive and negative evidence and a 
variety of factors including the scheduled reversal of 
deferred tax liabilities, historical and projected future 
taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax 
planning strategies.

Effect if Actual Results Differ
 From Assumptions

Although we believe that the judgments and 
estimates discussed herein are reasonable, 
actual results could differ, and we may be 
exposed to losses or gains that could be 
material.

To the extent actual results differ from 
estimated amounts recorded, such differences 
will impact the income tax provision in the 
period in which the determination is made.

If we determine there is less than a 50% 
likelihood that we will be able to use a 
deferred tax asset in the future in excess of its 
net carrying value, then an adjustment to the 
deferred tax asset valuation allowance is 
made to increase income tax expense, thereby 
reducing net income in the period such 
determination was made.

2017 Form 10-K

53

Blackbaud, Inc.

Long-lived and Intangible Assets including Goodwill

Description

Judgments and Uncertainties

We use significant judgment in assessing qualitative 
factors to determine whether events and 
circumstances indicate that it is more than 50% 
likely that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is 
impaired.

When measuring impairment of an asset using 
discounted cash flows, we make assumptions and 
apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and 
asset fair values, including annual revenue growth 
rates, a terminal year growth rate and selecting a 
discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future 
cash flows.

When the optional qualitative assessment of 
goodwill impairment is performed, significant 
judgment is required in the assessment of qualitative 
factors including but not limited to an evaluation of 
macroeconomic conditions as they relate to our 
business, industry and market trends, as well as the 
overall future financial performance of our reporting 
units and future opportunities in the markets in 
which they operate.

When using projected future cash flows for the 
quantitative goodwill impairment test, a number of 
significant assumptions and estimates are involved in 
estimating the fair value of each reporting unit, 
including revenue growth rates, operating margins, 
capital spending, discount rate, and working capital 
changes. Additionally, we make certain judgments 
and assumptions in allocating assets and liabilities to 
determine the carrying values for each of our 
reporting units.

We review our long-lived and identifiable 
intangible assets for impairment when events 
or changes in circumstances indicate the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. If 
such events or changes in circumstances 
occur, we use the undiscounted cash flow 
method to determine whether the asset is 
impaired. To the extent that the carrying 
value of the asset exceeds the undiscounted 
cash flows over the estimated remaining life 
of the asset, we measure the impairment 
using discounted cash flows.

We test goodwill for impairment at the 
reporting unit level annually during our 
fourth quarter, or more frequently if events 
or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
asset might be impaired. We had one 
reporting unit for our fourth quarter 2017 
assessment (see Note 2 to our consolidated 
financial statements in this report). 

We have the option to first assess qualitative 
factors to determine whether it is more likely 
than not that the fair value of a reporting 
unit is less than its carrying amount. To the 
extent the qualitative factors indicate that 
the fair value is likely less than the carrying 
amount, we compare the fair value of the 
reporting unit with its carrying amount. 

If more than one reporting unit is identified, 
we estimate fair value for each reporting unit 
based on projected future cash flows 
discounted using our weighted average cost 
of capital. If a single reporting unit is 
identified, we estimate fair value using 
market-based methods including the use of 
market capitalization and consideration of a 
control premium. In either case, if the 
carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an 
impairment loss is recorded for the excess.

Effect if Actual Results Differ
 From Assumptions

We have not made any material changes in 
the accounting methodology we use to assess 
impairment loss during the years ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, except 
for the use of market-based methods, 
including the use of market capitalization to 
estimate the fair value of our one reporting 
unit in the fourth quarter of 2017.

No impairments to our long-lived and 
intangible assets including goodwill occurred 
during the years ended December 31, 2017 
and 2016. 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, 
we recorded insignificant impairment charges 
against previously capitalized software 
development costs. The charges reduced the 
carrying value of those costs to zero. The 
impairment charges resulted from obtaining 
software solutions through the acquisitions of 
Smart Tuition in 2015 and determining that it 
was no longer probable that certain computer 
software that was being developed would be 
placed into service.

We do not believe there is a reasonable 
likelihood that there will be a material change 
in the future estimates or assumptions we use 
to assess impairment losses. However, if 
actual results are not consistent with our 
estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed 
to an impairment charge that could materially 
adversely impact our consolidated financial 
position and results of operations.

In order to evaluate the sensitivity of any 
quantitative fair value calculations on our 
most recent goodwill impairment test, a 
hypothetical 10% decrease to the fair value 
of our one reporting unit was calculated. This 
hypothetical 10% decrease would still result 
in excess fair value over carrying value for the 
reporting unit as of October 1, 2017.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of the impact that recently issued accounting pronouncements are expected to have on our financial 
position and results of operations when adopted in the future, see Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements in this 
report.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT 
MARKET RISK

We have market rate sensitivity for interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. 

Interest Rate Risk

Our variable rate debt is our primary financial instrument with market risk exposure for changing interest rates. We manage 
our variable rate interest rate risk through a combination of short-term and long-term borrowings and the use of derivative 
instruments entered into for hedging purposes. Due to the nature of our debt, the materiality of the fair values of the 
derivative instruments and the highly liquid, short-term nature and level of our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 
2017, we believe there is no material risk of exposure to changing interest rates for those positions. There were no significant 
changes in how we manage interest rate risk between December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017. 

54

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

Foreign Currency Risk

For a discussion of our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, see “Management’s discussion and analysis 
of financial condition and results of operations — Foreign Currency Exchange Rates” in Item 7 of this report.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

BLACKBAUD, INC.

Index to consolidated financial statements

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

Consolidated balance sheets

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income

Consolidated statements of cash flows

Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity

Notes to consolidated financial statements

Page No.
54

56

57

58

59

60

2017 Form 10-K

55

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Blackbaud, Inc.  

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Blackbaud, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 
31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, cash flow and stockholders’ equity 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as 
the “consolidated financial statements”).  We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for 
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted 
in the United States of America.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated 
Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts 
for restricted cash in 2017 and the manner in which it accounts for stock compensation in 2016.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal 
control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, 
included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to 
express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with 
the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and 
the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material 
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained 
in all material respects.  

Our  audits  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  included  performing  procedures  to  assess  the  risks  of  material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that 
respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures 
in the consolidated financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant 
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.  
Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial 
reporting,  assessing  the  risk  that  a  material  weakness  exists,  and  testing  and  evaluating  the  design  and  operating 
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures 
as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with 
generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and 
procedures  that  (i) pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the 

56

2017 Form 10-K

transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded 
as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, 
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management 
and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (iii) provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of 
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial 
statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/S/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina
February 20, 2018

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2000.

2017 Form 10-K

57

Blackbaud, Inc.
Consolidated balance sheets

(dollars in thousands)

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash due to customers
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $5,141 and $3,291 at December
31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

Customer funds receivable
Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Software development costs, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Other assets

Total assets
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Trade accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Due to customers
Debt, current portion
Deferred revenue, current portion

Total current liabilities

Debt, net of current portion
Deferred tax liability
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 11)
Stockholders’ equity:

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

$

29,830 $

610,344
96,293

1,536
56,099
794,102
42,243
54,098
530,249
314,651
24,083
1,759,426 $

24,693 $
54,399
611,880
8,576
276,456
976,004
429,648
37,597
3,643
5,632
1,452,524

$

$

16,902
353,771
88,932

—
48,314
507,919
50,269
37,582
438,240
253,676
22,524
1,310,210

23,274
54,196
353,771
4,375
244,500
680,116
338,018
29,558
6,440
8,533
1,062,665

Preferred stock; 20,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding

—

—

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 180,000,000 shares authorized,
58,551,761 and 57,672,401 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and
December 31, 2016, respectively

Additional paid-in capital
Treasury stock, at cost; 10,475,794 and 10,166,801 shares at December 31,
2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings

Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

59
351,042

58
310,452

(239,199)
(649)
195,649
306,902
1,759,426 $

(215,237)
(457)
152,729
247,545
1,310,210

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

58

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

2017

2016

2015

Years ended December 31,

Revenue

Subscriptions
Maintenance
Services and other
Total revenue

Cost of revenue

Cost of subscriptions
Cost of maintenance
Cost of services and other
Total cost of revenue

Gross profit
Operating expenses

Sales, marketing and customer success
Research and development
General and administrative
Amortization
Restructuring

Total operating expenses

Income from operations

Interest expense
Other income (expense), net

Income before provision for income taxes

Income tax (benefit) provision

Net income
Earnings per share

Basic
Diluted

Common shares and equivalents outstanding

Basic weighted average shares
Diluted weighted average shares

Dividends per share
Other comprehensive income (loss)

Foreign currency translation adjustment
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

Comprehensive income

$

522,865 $
128,166
137,275
788,306

428,987 $
146,946
154,882
730,815

331,759
153,801
152,380
637,940

242,740
22,973
96,191
361,904
426,402

213,883
22,094
103,243
339,220
391,595

173,525
89,911
94,870
3,271
794
362,371
64,031
(12,097)
2,260
54,194
(11,739)
65,933 $

155,754
89,870
81,331
2,840
—
329,795
61,800
(10,583)
(291)
50,926
9,411
41,515 $

167,341
27,066
110,224
304,631
333,309

123,646
84,636
76,084
2,231
—
286,597
46,712
(8,073)
(1,687)
36,952
11,303
25,649

1.41 $
1.38 $

0.90 $
0.88 $

0.56
0.55

$

$
$

46,669,440 46,132,389 45,623,854
47,775,702 47,316,538 46,498,704
0.48
$

0.48 $

0.48 $

(943)
751
(192)
65,741 $

324
44
368
41,883 $

62
145
207
25,856

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2017 Form 10-K

59

Blackbaud, Inc.
Consolidated statements of cash flows

(dollars in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Provision for doubtful accounts and sales returns
Stock-based compensation expense
Deferred taxes
Loss on sale of business
Impairment of capitalized software development costs
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount
Other non-cash adjustments
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition and disposal of businesses:

Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Trade accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Deferred revenue

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment
Capitalized software development costs
Purchase of net assets of acquired companies, net of cash and restricted cash acquired
Net cash used in sale of business
Purchase of derivative instruments
Proceeds from settlement of derivative instruments
Net cash used in investing activities

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

65,933 $

41,515 $

25,649

73,948
11,686
40,631
(14,328)
—
—
838
504

(15,750)
(6,149)
1,024
(4,973)
22,926
176,290

(10,208)
(28,345)
(146,789)
—
(568)
1,030
(184,880)

70,491
3,730
32,638
3,033
—
—
958
(864)

(13,196)
(2,478)
3,689
(751)
14,863
153,628

(17,694)
(26,359)
(3,377)
—
—
—
(47,430)

55,997
6,825
25,246
3,165
1,976
239
899
(197)

(7,593)
(10,979)
6,133
9,255
12,612
129,227

(18,633)
(15,481)
(106,720)
(521)
—
—
(141,355)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of debt
Payments on debt
Debt issuance costs
Employee taxes paid for withheld shares upon equity award settlement
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Change in due to customers
Change in customer funds receivable
Dividend payments to stockholders

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Cash (paid) received during the year for:

Interest
Taxes, net of refunds

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Purchase of equipment and other assets included in accounts payable
Acquired restricted cash liabilities due to customers

774,500
(679,119)
(3,085)
(23,962)
15
226,717
6,644
(23,069)
278,641
(550)
269,501
370,673

312,300
(184,475)
(429)
(9,421)
32
34,279
—
(22,508)
129,778
(2,695)
114,955
155,444
$ 640,174 $ 370,673 $ 270,399

227,200
(293,575)
—
(15,376)
16
96,000
—
(22,811)
(8,546)
2,622
100,274
270,399

(10,614)
(5,613)

(1,546)
31,644

(9,608)
(1,340)

(3,155)
—

(7,208)
(4,795)

(3,204)
81,353

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets 
that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown above in the consolidated statements of cash flows:

(dollars in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash due to customers

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

$

$

29,830 $

610,344
640,174 $

16,902
353,771
370,673

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

60

2017 Form 10-K

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2017 Form 10-K

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements

1. Organization

We are the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—
nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, healthcare institutions and individual change agents—we 
connect and empower organizations to increase their impact through software, services, expertise, and data intelligence. 
Our  portfolio  is  tailored  to  the  unique  needs  of  vertical  markets,  with  solutions  for  fundraising  and  CRM,  marketing, 
advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial 
management, payment processing, and analytics. Serving the industry for more than three decades, we are headquartered 
in Charleston, South Carolina and have operations in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. As 
of December 31, 2017, we had over 40,000 customers.

2. Basis of Presentation

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in 
the United States (“GAAP”).

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we identified prior period errors whereby amounts of current assets 
recorded as restricted cash due to customers and amounts of current liabilities recorded as due to customers were overstated 
by $8.5 million, $7.2 million and $21.3 million as of September 30, 2016, March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, respectively. 
There was no impact to our earnings or operating cash flows as a result of these errors. We concluded these errors were 
not material individually or in the aggregate to any of the prior reporting periods, and, therefore, amendments of previously 
filed reports were not required. However, the revisions for these corrections to the applicable prior periods are reflected 
in the financial information herein and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information for such 
periods.

Reclassifications

Due to the insignificance of our revenue from "license fees and other," we have combined that revenue with our "services" 
revenue beginning in 2017. In order to provide comparability between periods presented, "services" and "license fees and 
other"  have  been  combined  within  "services  and  other"  in  the  previously  reported  consolidated  statements  of 
comprehensive income to conform to presentation of the current period. Similarly, "cost of services" and "cost of license 
fees and other" have been combined within "cost of services and other" in the previously reported consolidated statements 
of comprehensive income to conform to presentation of the current period.

Basis of consolidation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  Blackbaud,  Inc.  and  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.  All 
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of 
the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an 
ongoing basis, we reconsider and evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those that impact revenue recognition, 
long-lived  and  intangible  assets  including  goodwill,  income  taxes,  business  combinations,  stock-based  compensation, 
capitalization  of  software  development  costs,  our  allowances  for  sales  returns  and  doubtful  accounts,  deferred  sales 
commissions and professional services costs, valuation of derivative instruments and loss contingencies. Changes in the 
facts or circumstances underlying these estimates could result in material changes and actual results could materially differ 
from these estimates.

62

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Reportable segment and reporting unit

The Company reports operating results and financial information in one operating and reportable segment. Prior to the 
fourth quarter of 2017, our three market groups represented our three operating and reportable segments. In light of the 
increasing  centralization  of  our  operations,  including  without  limitation,  marketing,  finance,  sales  excellence,  human 
resources, corporate  IT, legal  and contracting,  real  estate  and facilities, research  and development,  customer support, 
customer success, product management, professional services and training services, we made changes to our internal 
reporting structure in the fourth quarter of 2017 to better support and assess the operations of our business going forward. 
As a result, commencing with the fourth quarter of 2017, a measure of profitability is no longer available at the market 
group level and our chief operating decision maker now uses consolidated financial information to make operating decisions, 
assess  financial  performance  and  allocate  resources.  Our  chief  operating  decision  maker  is  our  chief  executive  officer 
("CEO"). We assessed the resulting effect on our operating segments, reportable segments, as well as our reporting units 
for annual goodwill impairment testing, and determined that we now have one operating segment, one reportable segment 
and one reporting unit.

Summary of significant accounting policies

Revenue recognition

Our revenue is primarily generated from the following sources: (i) charging for the use of our software solutions in cloud-
based  and  hosted  environments;  (ii) providing  transaction  and  payment  processing  services;  (iii) providing  professional 
services including implementation, training, consulting, analytic, and other services; and (iv) providing software maintenance 
and support services.

We commence revenue recognition when all of the following conditions are met:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

The solutions or services have been or are being provided to the customer;

The fee is fixed or determinable; and

Collection of the resulting receivable is probable.

Determining whether and when these criteria have been met can require significant judgment and estimates. We deem 
acceptance of a contract to be evidence of an arrangement. Delivery of our services occurs when the services have been 
performed. Delivery of our solutions occurs when the solution is shipped or made available to the customers. Our typical 
arrangements do not include customer acceptance provisions; however, if acceptance provisions are provided, delivery is 
deemed to occur upon acceptance. We consider the fee to be fixed or determinable unless the fee is subject to refund or 
adjustment or is not payable within our standard payment terms. Payment terms greater than 90 days are considered to 
be beyond our customary payment terms. Collection is deemed probable if we expect that the customer will be able to 
pay amounts under the arrangement as they become due. If we determine that collection is not probable, we defer revenue 
recognition until collection. Revenue is recognized net of actual and estimated sales returns and allowances.

We follow guidance provided in ASC 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations, which states that determining whether 
a company should recognize revenue based on the gross amount billed to a customer or the net amount retained is a 
matter of judgment that depends on the facts and circumstances of the arrangement and that certain factors should be 
considered in the evaluation. 

Subscriptions

We provide software solutions to customers which are available for use in cloud-based subscription arrangements without 
licensing perpetual rights to the software (“cloud-based solutions”). Revenue from cloud-based solutions is recognized 
ratably beginning on the activation date over the term of the agreement, which generally ranges from one to three years. 
Any revenue related to upfront activation or set-up fees is deferred and recognized ratably over the estimated period that 
the customer benefits from the related cloud-based solution. Direct and incremental costs related to upfront activation or 

2017 Form 10-K

63

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

set-up activities for cloud-based solutions are capitalized until the cloud-based solution is deployed and in use, and then 
expensed ratably over the estimated period that the customer benefits from the related cloud-based solution.

We offer certain payment processing services with the assistance of third-party vendors. In general, when we are the 
principal in a transaction based on the predominant weighting of factors identified in ASC 605-45, we record the revenue 
and related costs on a gross basis. Otherwise, we net the cost of revenue associated with the service against the gross 
amount billed to the customer and record the net amount as revenue. Revenue directly associated with processing donations 
for customers and our other transaction processing services is recognized when the service is provided and the amounts 
are determinable.

We provide hosting services to customers who have purchased perpetual rights to certain of our software solutions (“hosting 
services”). Revenue from hosting services, online training programs, as well as subscription-based analytic services such as 
data enrichment and data management services, is recognized ratably beginning on the activation date over the term of 
the agreement, which generally ranges from one to three years. Any related set-up fees are recognized ratably over the 
estimated period that the customer benefits from the related hosting service. The estimated period of benefit is evaluated 
on an annual basis using historical customer retention information by solution or service.

For arrangements that have multiple elements and do not include software licenses, we allocate arrangement consideration 
at the inception of the arrangement to those elements that qualify as separate units of accounting. The arrangement 
consideration is allocated to the separate units of accounting based on relative selling price method in accordance with 
the selling price hierarchy, which includes: (i) vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value if available; (ii) third-
party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available; and (iii) best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is 
available. In general, we use VSOE to allocate the selling price to subscription and service deliverables.

Maintenance

We recognize revenue from maintenance services ratably over the term of the arrangement, generally one year at contract 
inception  with  annual  renewals  thereafter.  Maintenance  contracts  are  at  rates  that  vary  according  to  the  level  of  the 
maintenance program associated with the software solution and are generally renewable annually. Maintenance contracts 
may also include the right to unspecified solution upgrades on an if-and-when available basis. Certain incremental support 
services are sold in prepaid units of time and recognized as revenue upon their usage. We determine VSOE of fair value 
of the various elements using different methods. VSOE of fair value for maintenance services associated with software 
licenses is based upon renewal rates stated in the arrangements with customers, which demonstrate a consistent relationship 
of maintenance pricing as a percentage of the contractual license fee. 

Services

We generally bill consulting, installation and implementation services based on hourly rates plus reimbursable travel-related 
expenses. Revenue is recognized for these services over the period the services are delivered.

We recognize analytic services revenue from donor prospect research engagements, the sale of lists of potential donors, 
benchmarking studies and data modeling service engagements upon delivery. In arrangements where we provide customers 
the right to updated information during the contract period, revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period.

We sell fixed-rate programs, which permit customers to attend unlimited training over a specified contract period, typically 
one  year,  subject  to  certain  restrictions,  and  revenue  in  those  cases  is  recognized  ratably  over  the  contract  period. 
Additionally, we sell training at a fixed rate for each specific class at a per attendee price or at a packaged price for several 
attendees, and recognize the related revenue upon the customer attending and completing training. 

VSOE of fair value of professional services and other solutions and services is based on the average selling price of these 
same solutions and services to other customers when sold on a stand-alone basis.

Deferred revenue

To the extent that our customers are billed for the above described solutions and services in advance of delivery, we record 
such amounts in deferred revenue. Generally, our subscription and maintenance customers are billed one year in advance.

64

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Fair value measurements

We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including derivative instruments. Fair 
value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly 
transaction  between  market  participants  at  the  measurement  date.  An  active  market  is  defined  as  a  market  in  which 
transactions for the asset or liability take place with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an 
ongoing basis. We use a three-tier fair value hierarchy to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three 
broad levels as follows:

• 

• 

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; 

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar 
assets in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant 
value drivers are observable in active markets; and

• 

Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

Our financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety within the hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that 
is significant to fair value measurement. Changes to a financial asset's or liability's level within the fair value hierarchy are 
determined as of the end of a reporting period. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of 
value, and such value may never actually be realized.

Derivative instruments

We generally use derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk. We view derivative instruments as risk management 
tools and do not use them for trading or speculative purposes. Our policy requires that derivatives used for hedging purposes 
be designated and effective as a hedge of the identified risk exposure at the inception of the contract. Accordingly, changes 
in fair value of the derivative contract must be highly correlated with changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged 
item at inception of the hedge and over the life of the hedge contract.

We record all derivative instruments on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a 
cash flow hedge, the effective portions of the changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive 
income and reclassified to earnings in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions. 
Ineffective portions of the changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized currently in earnings. See Note 10
of these consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our derivative instruments.

Sales taxes

We present sales taxes and other taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis 
and, as such, exclude them from revenues.

Cash and cash equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less and cash items in 
transit to be cash equivalents.

Restricted cash due to customers; Customer funds receivable; Due to customers

Restricted cash due to customers consists of monies collected by us and payable to our customers, net of the associated 
transaction fees earned. Monies associated with amounts due to customers are segregated in separate bank accounts and 
used exclusively for the payment of amounts due to customers. This usage restriction is either legally or internally imposed 
and reflects our intention with regard to such deposits. Customer funds receivable consists of monies we expect to collect 
and remit to our customers.

2017 Form 10-K

65

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Concentration of credit risk

Financial  instruments  that  potentially  subject  us  to  concentrations  of  credit  risk  consist  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents, 
restricted cash due to customers and accounts receivable. Our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash due to customers 
are placed with high credit-quality financial institutions. Our accounts receivable is derived from sales to customers who 
primarily operate in the nonprofit sector. With respect to accounts receivable, we perform ongoing evaluations of our 
customers and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and our expectations of future 
losses. As of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, there were no significant concentrations with 
respect to our consolidated revenues or accounts receivable.

Property and equipment

We record property and equipment assets at cost and depreciate them over their estimated useful lives using the straight-
line method. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life 
of the asset. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed 
from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to earnings. Repair and maintenance costs are 
expensed as incurred.

Construction-in-progress represents purchases of computer software and hardware associated with new internal system 
implementation projects which had not been placed in service at the respective balance sheet dates. We transferred these 
assets to the applicable property category on the date they are placed in service. There was no capitalized interest applicable 
to construction-in-progress for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Business combinations

We include the operating results of acquired companies as well as the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our 
consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. We are required to allocate the purchase price of acquired 
companies to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date based upon their 
estimated fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date represents the excess of the purchase consideration of an acquired 
business over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This 
allocation and valuation require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to 
long-lived and intangible assets.

Critical estimates in valuing intangible assets include, but are not limited to, estimates about: future expected cash flows 
from customer contracts, proprietary technology and non-compete agreements; the acquired company's brand awareness 
and market position, assumptions about the period of time the brand will continue to be valuable; as well as expected 
costs to develop any in-process research and development into commercially viable solutions and estimated cash flows 
from the projects when completed, and discount rates. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions we believe 
to  be  reasonable,  but  which  are  inherently  uncertain  and  unpredictable,  and  unanticipated  events  and  changes  in 
circumstances may occur.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the purchase price in excess of the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed by 
us in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but tested annually for impairment on the first day of our fourth 
quarter, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment arise.

Accounting guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that 
the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis to determine whether it is necessary to perform 
the quantitative impairment test. Significant judgment is required in the assessment of qualitative factors, including but 
not limited to an evaluation of macroeconomic conditions as they relate to our business, industry and market trends, as 
well as the overall future financial performance of identified reporting units and future opportunities in the markets in 
which we operate.

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Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The quantitative impairment test compares the fair values of identified reporting units with their respective carrying amounts. 
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to 
that excess.

As discussed above, we made changes to our internal reporting structure in the fourth quarter of 2017 to better support 
and assess the operations of our business going forward. As a result, we now have one operating segment, one reportable 
segment, and one reporting unit. As a result of the change in reporting units, we performed quantitative goodwill impairment 
tests immediately before and after this change in reporting units and determined that there was no impairment.

In each of 2017, 2016, and 2015, we performed the quantitative impairment test which indicated that the estimated fair 
values of the identified reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values. There was no impairment of 
goodwill during 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Intangible assets

We amortize finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives as follows.

Customer relationships

Marketing assets

Acquired software and technology

Non-compete agreements

Database

Basis of amortization

Straight-line and accelerated(1)
Straight-line
Straight-line and accelerated(2)
Straight-line

Straight-line

Amortization
period
(in years)
8-17

2-15

5-10

1-5

8

(1)  Certain of the customer relationships are amortized on an accelerated basis.
(2)  Certain of the acquired software and technology assets are amortized on an accelerated basis.

Indefinite-lived  intangible  assets  consist  of  trade  names.  We  evaluate  the  estimated  useful  lives  and  the  potential  for 
impairment of finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or circumstances 
indicate revised estimates of useful lives may be appropriate or that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the 
carrying amount is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted cash flows of the asset, the amount of impairment 
is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. Substantially all of our intangible assets were 
acquired in business combinations. There was no impairment of acquired intangible assets during 2017, 2016 or 2015. 

Deferred financing costs

Deferred financing costs included in other assets represent the direct third-party costs of entering into the revolving (line-
of-credit) portion of our credit facility in June 2017 and portions of the unamortized deferred financing costs from prior 
facilities. These costs are amortized ratably over the term of the credit facility as interest expense.

Stock-based compensation

We measure stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize it as 
expense over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. We determine the fair value of stock options and 
stock appreciation rights using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires us to use significant judgment to make 
estimates regarding the life of the award, volatility of our stock price, the risk-free interest rate and the dividend yield of 
our stock over the life of the award. We determine the fair value of awards that contain market conditions using a Monte 
Carlo simulation model. Changes to these estimates would result in different fair values of awards.

We recognize the effect of awards for which the requisite service period is not rendered when the award is forfeited (that 
is, we recognize the effect of forfeitures in compensation cost when they occur). Previously recognized compensation cost 
for an award is reversed in the period that the award is forfeited. Income tax benefits resulting from the vesting and exercise 
of stock-based compensation awards are recognized in the period the unit or award is vested or option or right is exercised. 

2017 Form 10-K

67

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Income taxes

We make estimates and judgments in accounting for income taxes. The calculation of the income tax provision requires 
estimates due to transactions, credits and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Uncertainties 
arise as a consequence of the actual source of taxable income between domestic and foreign locations, the outcome of 
tax audits and the ultimate utilization of tax credits.  To the extent actual results differ from estimated amounts recorded, 
such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which the determination is made.

We make estimates in determining tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of 
revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. We record valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax 
assets to the amount expected to be realized. In assessing the adequacy of a recorded valuation allowance significant 
judgment is required.  We consider all positive and negative evidence and a variety of factors including the scheduled 
reversal of deferred tax liabilities, historical and projected future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning 
strategies. If we determine there is less than a 50% likelihood that we will be able to use a deferred tax asset in the future 
in excess of its net carrying value, then an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance is made to increase 
income tax expense, thereby reducing net income in the period such determination was made. 

We measure and recognize uncertain tax positions. To recognize such positions, we must first determine if it is more likely 
than not that the position will be sustained upon audit. We must then measure the benefit as the largest amount that is 
more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Significant judgment is required in the identification and 
measurement of uncertain tax positions.

Foreign currency

Net assets recorded in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenue and 
expense items are translated using an average of monthly exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded 
in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions denominated in currency other than the functional currency 
are recorded  at the approximate rate  of exchange  at  the transaction date  in other expense, net.  For the years ended 
December 31, 2017 and 2015, we recorded insignificant net foreign currency gains.  For the year ended December 31, 
2016, we recorded an insignificant net foreign currency loss.

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. These costs include compensation costs for engineering and 
product management personnel, third-party contractor expenses, software development tools and other expenses related 
to researching and developing new solutions, upgrading and enhancing existing solutions, and allocated depreciation, 
facilities and IT support costs.

Software development costs

We incur certain costs associated with the development of internal-use software, which are primarily related to activities 
performed to develop our cloud-based solutions. Internal and external costs incurred in the preliminary project stage of 
internal-use  software  development  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Once  the  software  being  developed  has  reached  the 
application development stage, qualifying internal costs including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees who are 
directly associated with and devote time to the software project as well as external direct costs of materials and services 
are capitalized. Capitalization ceases at the point at which the developed software is substantially complete and ready for 
its  intended  use,  which  is  typically  upon  completion  of  all  substantial  testing.  Qualifying  costs  capitalized  during  the 
application development stage include those related to specific upgrades and enhancements when it is probable that those 
costs incurred will result in additional functionality. Overhead costs, including general and administrative costs, as well as 
maintenance, training and all other costs associated with post-implementation stage activities are expensed as incurred. 
In addition, internal costs that cannot be reasonably separated between maintenance and relatively minor upgrades and 
enhancements are expensed as incurred. Historically, we have also incurred and capitalized costs in connection with the 
development of certain of our software solutions licensed to customers on a perpetual basis, which are accounted for as 

68

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

costs of software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed; however, there were no costs capitalized related to those 
solutions as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. 

Qualifying capitalized software development costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the software asset's estimated 
useful life, which is generally three to seven years. We evaluate the useful lives of these assets on an annual basis and test 
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. 
There were no impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. During the year 
ended  December 31,  2015,  we  recorded  insignificant  impairment  charges  against  previously  capitalized  software 
development costs. The charge reduced the carrying value of the certain previously capitalized software development costs 
to zero and are reflected in research and development expense. The impairment charge resulted from obtaining software 
solutions through the acquisition of Smart Tuition in 2015, and our determination that it was no longer probable that 
certain internal-use software that was previously being developed would be placed into service.

Sales returns and allowance for doubtful accounts

We maintain a reserve for returns and credits which is estimated based on several factors including historical experience, 
known credits yet to be issued, the aging of customer accounts and the nature of service level commitments. A considerable 
amount of judgment is required in assessing these factors. Provisions for sales returns and credits are charged against the 
related revenue items.

Accounts receivable are recorded at original invoice amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts, an amount we 
estimate to be sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses resulting from extending credit to our customers. 
In judging the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, we consider multiple factors including historical bad debt 
experience, the general economic environment and the aging of our receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is 
required in assessing these factors and if any receivables were to deteriorate, an additional provision for doubtful accounts 
could be required. Accounts are written off after all means of collection are exhausted and recovery is considered remote. 
Provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded in general and administrative expense.

Below is a summary of the changes in our allowance for sales returns.

Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2017
2016
2015

Balance at
beginning of year

Provision/
adjustment

$

2,704 $
4,431
4,185

10,511 $
3,060
5,834

Below is a summary of the changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts. 

Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2017
2016
2015

Sales commissions

Balance at
beginning of year

Provision/
adjustment

$

587 $
512
354

1,148 $
499
699

Write-off

(8,815) $
(4,787)
(5,588)

Write-off

(994) $
(424)
(541)

Balance at 
end of year
4,400
2,704
4,431

Balance at 
end of year
741
587
512

We pay sales commissions at the time contracts with customers are signed or shortly thereafter, depending on the size 
and duration of the sales contract. To the extent that these commissions relate to revenue not yet recognized, the amounts 
are recorded as deferred sales commission costs. Subsequently, the commissions are recognized as sales, marketing and 
customer success expense as the revenue is recognized.

2017 Form 10-K

69

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Below is a summary of the changes in our deferred sales commission costs included in prepaid expenses and other current 
assets.

Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2017
2016
2015

Advertising costs

$

Balance at
beginning of year

37,459 $
30,141
22,630

Additions

35,420 $
37,553
55,934

Expense
(31,465) $
(30,235)
(48,423)

Balance at 
end of year
41,414
37,459
30,141

We  expense  advertising  costs  as  incurred,  which  was  $2.4  million,  $2.3  million  and  $2.3  million  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Restructuring costs

Restructuring costs include charges for the costs of exit or disposal activities. The liability for costs associated with exit or 
disposal activities is measured initially at fair value and only recognized when the liability is incurred. For details of our 
restructuring activities, see Note 20 of these consolidated financial statements.

Impairment of long-lived assets

We review long-lived assets for impairment when events change or circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not 
be recoverable. Events or changes in circumstances that indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable include, but 
are not limited to, a significant decrease in the market value of the business or asset acquired, a significant adverse change 
in the extent or manner in which the business or asset acquired is used or significant adverse change in the business climate. 
If such events or changes in circumstances are present, the undiscounted cash flow method is used to determine whether 
the asset is impaired. No impairment of long-lived assets occurred in 2017 or 2016. No impairment of long-lived assets 
occurred in 2015 except for the impairment of previously capitalized software development costs discussed above.

Contingencies

We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies in the normal course of business. We record an accrual for 
a contingency when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably 
estimated. Often these issues are subject to substantial uncertainties and, therefore, the probability of loss and the estimation 
of damages are difficult to ascertain. These assessments can involve a series of complex judgments about future events 
and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by us. Although we believe we have 
substantial defenses in these matters, we could incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims that could have a 
material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows in any particular period.

Earnings per share

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income 
available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common 
shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the assumed exercise, settlement and vesting of 
all dilutive securities using the “treasury stock method” except when the effect is anti-dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities 
consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock 
awards and units.

70

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

As  previously  disclosed,  during  the  three  months  ended  September  30,  2016  we  early  adopted  Financial  Accounting 
Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation 
(Topic  718),  Improvements  to  Employee  Share-Based  Payment  Accounting  ("ASU  2016-09"),  which  addresses, 
among  other  items,  the  accounting  for  income  taxes  and  forfeitures,  and  cash  flow  presentation  of  share-based 
compensation. Our adoption of ASU 2016-09 required us to reflect any adjustments as of January 1, 2016, the beginning 
of the annual period that includes the interim period of adoption. Upon adoption, we elected to account for forfeitures 
as they occur using a modified retrospective transition method, which resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment of $0.9 
million to reduce our January 1, 2016 opening retained earnings balance. Adoption of the new standard also resulted in 
the recognition of excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes rather than paid-in capital of $7.7 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2016.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of Modification 
Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"), which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based 
payment  award  require  an  entity  to  apply  modification  accounting  in  Topic  718.  Under  ASU  2017-09,  modification 
accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) 
changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. ASU 2017-09 is effective for all companies for annual and interim 
periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted in any interim period for reporting periods for 
which financial statements have not been issued. ASU 2017-09 should be applied prospectively to an award modified on 
or after the adoption date. We early adopted ASU 2017-09 as of April 1, 2017. As this standard is prospective in nature, 
the impact to our financial statements will depend on the nature of our future award modifications.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a 
Business ("ASU 2017-01"), which provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities is not a 
business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is 
concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. ASU 2017-01 
is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, and applied 
prospectively. We early adopted ASU 2017-01 as of July 1, 2017 and the standard did not have a material impact on our 
consolidated financial statements.

In  January  2017,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2017-04,  Intangibles  -  Goodwill  and  Other  (Topic  350):  Simplifying  the 
Accounting for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), which removes the requirement to perform a hypothetical 
purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a 
reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective 
for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and applied prospectively. 
We early adopted ASU 2017-04 as of July 1, 2017 and used it in our fourth quarter annual goodwill impairment testing 
and the standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash ("ASU 
2016-18"), which requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted 
cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 
15, 2017, with early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted retrospectively.

2017 Form 10-K

71

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

We  early  adopted  ASU  2016-18  during  the  three  months  ended  December  31,  2017.  We  retrospectively  applied  the 
changes in presentation to the statements of cash flows and no longer classify changes in restricted cash due to customers 
and due to customers as operating activities. Instead, changes in due to customers are now classified as financing activities. 
The prior period financial statements included in this filing have been adjusted to reflect the corrections of the immaterial 
errors to amounts recorded as restricted cash due to customers and due to customers (as discussed above) as well as our 
adoption of ASU 2016-18. The effects of those adjustments have been provided in summarized format below.

Consolidated statements of cash flows:

(dollars in thousands)

As Reported As Adjusted

As Reported As Adjusted

As Reported As Adjusted

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

$ (45,306) $(259,550) $ 15,286 $ (70,295) $

(6,776) $(202,775)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

148

(214,528)

366

(85,465)

(3,030)

(199,228)

Nine months ended
 September 30, 2017

Six months ended
 June 30, 2017

Three months ended
 March 31, 2017

(dollars in thousands)

Net cash used in investing activities

As Reported As Adjusted

As Reported As Adjusted

As Reported As Adjusted

$ (47,430) $ (47,430) $ (37,914) $ (37,914) $(222,707) $(141,355)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(104,546)

(8,546)

(61,176)

(188,980)

95,499

129,778

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

1,540

100,274

1,100

(124,345)

627

114,955

Twelve months ended
 December 31, 2016

Nine months ended
 September 30, 2016

Twelve months ended
 December 31, 2015

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 will require lessees 
to record most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses in the income statement in a manner similar to current 
guidance. The updated guidance also eliminates certain real estate-specific provisions and changes the guidance on sale-
leaseback transactions, initial direct costs and lease executory costs for all entities. For lessors, the standard modifies the 
classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. All entities will classify leases to determine 
how to recognize lease-related revenue and expense. Classification will continue to affect amounts that lessors record on 
the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods 
within those years. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, entities will be required to use a modified retrospective 
approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial 
statements. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect 
to apply. We expect ASU 2016-02 will impact our consolidated financial statements and are currently evaluating the extent 
of the impact that implementation of this standard will have on adoption. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). 
ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts 
with customers. The standard also provides guidance on the recognition of costs related to obtaining customer contracts. 
ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the 
use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for us beginning in 
the first quarter of 2018, and we anticipate using the full retrospective transition method. 

We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-9 will have on our consolidated financial statements 
and related disclosures. As a result of our evaluation to date, we believe that the primary impact on our financial statements 
of adopting ASU 2016-09 will relate to the deferral of incremental commission and other costs of obtaining contracts with 
customers. Currently, we defer only direct and incremental commission costs to obtain a contract and generally amortize 
those costs over the contract term as the revenue was recognized, typically three years. Under the new standard, we will 
defer all incremental commission and fringe benefit costs to obtain a contract and amortize those costs in a manner that 
aligns with the expected period of benefit. We utilized the 'portfolio approach' practical expedient in ASC 606-10-10-4, 
which allows entities to apply the guidance to a portfolio of contracts with similar characteristics because the effects on 
the financial statements of this approach would not differ materially from applying the guidance to individual contracts. 
Using the 'portfolio approach' and taking into consideration our customer contracts, our technology and other factors, 

72

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

we determined the expected period of benefit to be approximately five years. We generally only pay commissions for 
contract renewals in limited circumstances.

We also anticipate incremental disclosures, including, but not limited to, the opening and closing balances of contract 
assets and liabilities, revenue recognized in the reporting period that was included in the contract liability balance at the 
beginning of the period, and the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations 
at the end of each reporting period including when we expect to recognize that amount.

3. Business Combinations

2017 Acquisitions

JustGiving

On October 2, 2017, Blackbaud Global Limited (“Blackbaud Global”), a United Kingdom limited liability company and 
wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, acquired the entire issued share capital, including all voting equity interests, of Giving 
Limited,  a  United  Kingdom  private  limited  company  doing  business  as  “JustGiving”  for  an  aggregate  purchase  price, 
including  certain  post-closing  adjustments  set  forth  in  the  related  stock  purchase  agreement,  of  £102.4  million,  or 
approximately $137.2 million, in cash. JustGiving is a market leading social platform for giving, and the acquisition is 
expected to enhance our capabilities to serve both individual donors and nonprofits, expanding the peer-to-peer fundraising 
capabilities we offer today. As a result of the acquisition, JustGiving has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. During 
2017, we incurred acquisition-related expenses associated with the acquisition of JustGiving of $4.2 million, which are 
recorded in general and administrative expense. We financed the acquisition of JustGiving through cash on hand and 
borrowings of $138.7 million under the 2017 Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9 of these consolidated financial statements).

The fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the table below are based on our best estimates 
and assumptions as of the reporting date and are considered preliminary pending finalization. The estimates and assumptions 
are subject to change as we obtain additional information during the measurement period, which may be up to one year 
from  the  acquisition  date.  The  assets  and  liabilities,  pending  finalization,  include  the  valuation  of  acquired  finite-lived 
intangible assets, as well as the assumed deferred revenue and deferred income tax balances.

(in thousands)
Net working capital, excluding deferred revenue

Finite-lived intangible assets

Other long-term assets

Deferred tax liability

Deferred revenue

Other long-term liabilities

Goodwill

Total purchase price

Purchase price
allocation
10,496

$

73,184

4,314

(7,549)

(245)

(332)

57,341

$

137,209

The estimated fair value of accounts receivable acquired approximates the contractual value of $1.7 million. The estimated 
goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to the opportunities for expected synergies from combining the operations 
and assembled workforce of JustGiving. Only an insignificant portion of the goodwill arising in the acquisition is deductible 
for income tax purposes.

2017 Form 10-K

73

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The JustGiving acquisition resulted in the identification of the following identifiable finite-lived intangible assets:

AcademicWorks
Marketing assets

Acquired technology

Customer relationships

Non-compete agreements

Total intangible assets

Intangible assets
acquired

 (in thousands)
32,000

$

Weighted average
amortization
period

(in years)
15

21,000

20,000

184

73,184

$

10

15

1

14

The estimated fair values of the finite-lived intangible assets were based on variations of the income approach, which 
estimates fair value based upon the present value of cash flows that the assets are expected to generate, and which included 
the relief-from-royalty method, incremental cash flow method, including the comparative (with and without) method and 
multi-period excess earnings method, depending on the intangible asset being valued. The method of amortization of 
identifiable finite-lived intangible assets is based on the expected pattern in which the estimated economic benefits of the 
respective assets are consumed or otherwise used up. Customer relationships and acquired technology are being amortized 
on an accelerated basis. Marketing assets and non-compete agreements are being amortized on a straight-line basis.

We determined that the impact of this acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial statements; therefore, 
revenue and earnings since the acquisition date and pro forma information are not required or presented.

AcademicWorks

On  April 3,  2017,  we  acquired  all  of  the  outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock,  including  all  voting  equity  interests,  of 
AcademicWorks, Inc., a Texas corporation ("AcademicWorks"), pursuant to a stock purchase agreement. AcademicWorks 
is the market leader in scholarship management for higher education and K-12 institutions, foundations, and grant-making 
institutions. The  acquisition  extends  our  offerings  for  our  higher  education,  K-12,  and  corporate  and  foundation 
customers. We acquired AcademicWorks for $52.1 million in cash, net of closing adjustments. We financed the acquisition 
through  a  draw  down  of  a  revolving  credit  loan  under  our  then-existing  credit  facility.  As  a  result  of  the  acquisition, 
AcademicWorks has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. During 2017, we incurred insignificant acquisition-related 
expenses associated with the acquisition of AcademicWorks, which were recorded in general and administrative expense.

The fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the table below are based on our best estimates 
and assumptions as of the reporting date and are considered preliminary pending finalization. The estimates and assumptions 
are subject to change as we obtain additional information during the measurement period, which may be up to one year 
from  the  acquisition  date.  The  assets  and  liabilities,  pending  finalization,  include  the  valuation  of  acquired  finite-lived 
intangible assets, as well as the assumed deferred revenue and deferred income tax balances.

(in thousands)
Net working capital, excluding deferred revenue

Property and equipment

Finite-lived intangible assets

Deferred revenue

Deferred tax liability

Goodwill

Total purchase price

74

2017 Form 10-K

Purchase price
allocation
2,949

$

290

30,900

(3,950)

(12,350)

34,305

52,144

$

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The estimated fair value of accounts receivable acquired approximates the contractual value of $1.0 million. The estimated 
goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to the opportunities for expected synergies from combining the operations 
and assembled workforce of AcademicWorks. None of the goodwill arising in the acquisition is deductible for income tax 
purposes.

The AcademicWorks acquisition resulted in the identification of the following identifiable finite-lived intangible assets:

AcademicWorks
Acquired technology

Customer relationships

Marketing assets

Non-compete agreements

Total intangible assets

Intangible assets
acquired

 (in thousands)
22,500

$

Weighted average
amortization
period

(in years)
9

8,000

320

80

$

30,900

15

2

3

10

The estimated fair values of the finite-lived intangible assets were based on variations of the income approach, which 
estimates fair value based upon the present value of cash flows that the assets are expected to generate, and which included 
the relief-from-royalty method, incremental cash flow method, including the comparative (with and without) method and 
multi-period excess earnings method, depending on the intangible asset being valued. The method of amortization of 
identifiable finite-lived intangible assets is based on the expected pattern in which the estimated economic benefits of the 
respective assets are consumed or otherwise used up. Customer relationships and acquired technology are being amortized 
on an accelerated basis. Marketing assets and non-compete agreements are being amortized on a straight-line basis.

We determined that the impact of this acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial statements; therefore, 
revenue and earnings since the acquisition date and pro forma information are not required or presented.

2016 Acquisition

Attentive.ly 

On July 11, 2016, we acquired all of the outstanding equity, including all voting equity interests of Good+Geek, Inc., a 
Delaware corporation doing business as "Attentive.ly." Attentive.ly provides social media capabilities allowing organizations 
to  conduct  social  listening,  identify  key  influencers  and  drive  engagement  through  its  cloud  solution.  The  acquisition 
accelerated our ability to deliver these capabilities to our customers. We acquired Attentive.ly for $3.9 million in cash, net 
of closing adjustments. As a result of the acquisition, Attentive.ly became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. We finalized 
the purchase price allocation of Attentive.ly, including the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, during the 
second quarter of 2017. All measurement period adjustments were insignificant. We determined that the impact of this 
acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial statements; therefore, revenue and earnings since the acquisition 
date and pro forma information are not required or presented.

2015 Acquisition

Smart Tuition 

On October 2, 2015, we completed our acquisition of all of the outstanding equity, including all voting equity interests, 
of Smart, LLC (“Smart Tuition”). Smart Tuition is a leading provider of payment software and services for private schools 
and parents. The acquisition of Smart Tuition further expanded our offerings in the K-12 technology sector. We acquired 
Smart Tuition for $187.3 million in cash. As a result of the acquisition, Smart Tuition became a wholly-owned subsidiary 
of ours. Because we have integrated the operations of Smart Tuition into ours, it is impracticable to determine the revenue 
and operating income attributable solely to the acquired business. We financed the acquisition of Smart Tuition through 
cash on hand and borrowings of $186.0 million under our 2014 Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9 below).

2017 Form 10-K

75

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined consolidated results of operations assume that the acquisition 
of  Smart  Tuition  occurred  on  January  1,  2014.  This  unaudited  pro  forma  financial  information  does  not  reflect  any 
adjustments for anticipated synergies resulting from the acquisition and should not be relied upon as being indicative of 
the historical results that would have been attained had the transaction been consummated as of January 1, 2014, or of 
the results that may occur in the future. The unaudited pro forma information reflects adjustments for amortization of 
intangibles related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired, write-down of acquired deferred revenue to fair 
value, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction and the related tax effects of the adjustments.

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue

Net income

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The change in our goodwill during 2017 consisted of the following:

(dollars in thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2016

Additions related to current year business combinations

Adjustments related to prior year business combination

Effect of foreign currency translation

Balance at December 31, 2017

Years ended December
31,

$

$

$

$

2015
666,131

26,334

0.58

0.57

Total
$ 438,240

91,646

(87)

450

$ 530,249

76

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

We have recorded intangible assets acquired in various business combinations based on their fair values at the date of 
acquisition. The table below sets forth the balances of each class of intangible asset and related amortization as of: 

(dollars in thousands)

Finite-lived gross carrying amount

Customer relationships

Marketing assets

Acquired software and technology

Non-compete agreements

Database

Total finite-lived gross carrying amount

Accumulated amortization

Customer relationships

Marketing assets

Acquired software and technology

Non-compete agreements

Database

Total accumulated amortization

Indefinite-lived gross carrying amount

Marketing assets

Intangible assets, net

December 31,

2017

2016

$

274,458 $

248,287

49,661

193,010

2,603

4,275

16,187

147,269

3,493

4,275

524,007

419,511

(96,662)

(12,444)

(96,528)

(1,125)

(4,197)

(77,983)

(9,826)

(74,975)

(1,553)

(4,093)

(210,956)

(168,430)

1,600

2,595

$

314,651 $

253,676

Changes to the gross carrying amounts of intangible asset classes during 2017 were primarily related to our business 
acquisitions as described in Note 3 of these financial statements and the effect of foreign currency translation.

Amortization expense

Amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets acquired in business combinations is allocated to cost of 
revenue  on  the  consolidated  statements  of  comprehensive  income  based  on  the  revenue  stream  to  which  the  asset 
contributes, except for marketing assets and non-compete agreements, for which the associated amortization expense is 
included in operating expenses.

The following table summarizes amortization expense of our finite-lived intangible assets:

(dollars in thousands)
Included in cost of revenue:

Cost of subscriptions

Cost of maintenance

Cost of services and other

Total included in cost of revenue

Included in operating expenses

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

32,399 $

31,270 $

23,075

5,158

2,542

40,099

3,271

5,327

2,961

39,558

2,840

4,162

2,750

29,987

2,231

Total amortization of intangibles from business combinations

$

43,370 $

42,398 $

32,218

2017 Form 10-K

77

  
 
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The following table outlines the estimated future amortization expense for each of the next five years for our finite-lived 
intangible assets as of December 31, 2017:

Years ending December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

Total

5. Earnings Per Share

Amortization
expense
46,044

$

43,596

35,132

29,322

25,540

$

179,634

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator:

Net income

Denominator:

Weighted average common shares

Add effect of dilutive securities:

Stock-based awards

Weighted average common shares assuming dilution

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

65,933 $

41,515 $

25,649

46,669,440 46,132,389 45,623,854

1,106,262

1,184,149

874,850

47,775,702 47,316,538 46,498,704

$

$

1.41 $

1.38 $

0.90 $

0.88 $

0.56

0.55

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculations of diluted earnings per share

4,634

7,339

18,554

78

2017 Form 10-K

  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

6. Fair Value Measurements

Recurring fair value measurements

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following, as of the dates 
indicated below:

(dollars in thousands)

Fair value as of December 31, 2017
Financial assets:

Derivative instruments

Total financial assets

Fair value as of December 31, 2016
Financial assets:

Derivative instruments

Total financial assets

Fair value as of December 31, 2016
Financial liabilities:

Derivative instruments

Total financial liabilities

Fair value measurement using

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

— $

— $

1,283 $

1,283 $

— $

— $

1,283

1,283

— $

— $

206 $

206 $

— $

— $

— $

— $

163 $

163 $

— $

— $

206

206

163

163

$

$

$

$

$

$

Our derivative instruments within the scope of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, are required to be recorded at fair 
value. Our derivative instruments that are recorded at fair value include interest rate swaps, as well as foreign currency 
forward and option contracts.

The fair value of our interest rate swaps was based on model-driven valuations using LIBOR rates, which are observable at 
commonly quoted intervals. Accordingly, our interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. 

Our foreign currency forward and option contracts are valued using standard calculations/models that use as their basis 
readily observable market parameters including, foreign currency exchange rates, volatilities, and interest rates. Therefore, 
our foreign currency forward and option contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

We believe the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, donor restricted cash, accounts receivable, customer 
funds receivable, trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and due to customers approximate 
their fair values at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these 
instruments.

We believe the carrying amount of our debt approximates its fair value at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 
as the debt bears interest rates that approximate market value. As LIBOR rates are observable at commonly quoted intervals, 
our debt is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

We  did  not  transfer  any  assets  or  liabilities  among  the  levels  within  the  fair  value  hierarchy  during  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Additionally, we did not hold any Level 3 assets or liabilities during the years ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

2017 Form 10-K

79

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Non-recurring fair value measurements

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include intangible assets and goodwill which 
are recognized at fair value during the period in which an acquisition is completed, from updated estimates and assumptions 
during the measurement period, or when they are considered to be impaired. These non-recurring fair value measurements, 
primarily for intangible assets acquired, were based on Level 3 unobservable inputs. In the event of an impairment, we 
determine the fair value of the goodwill and intangible assets using a discounted cash flow approach, which contains 
significant unobservable inputs and therefore is considered a Level 3 fair value measurement. The unobservable inputs in 
the analysis generally include future cash flow projections and a discount rate.

There were no non-recurring fair value adjustments to intangible assets and goodwill during 2017, 2016 and 2015 except 
for  certain  business  combination  accounting  adjustments  to  the  initial  fair  value  estimates  of  the  assets  acquired  and 
liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (see Note 3 to these consolidated financial statements) from updated estimates 
and assumptions during the measurement period. The measurement period may be up to one year from the acquisition 
date. We record any measurement period adjustments to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the 
corresponding offset to goodwill.

7. Property and Equipment and Software Development Costs

Property and equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following, as of: 

(dollars in thousands)
Equipment

Computer hardware

Computer software

Construction in progress

Furniture and fixtures

Leasehold improvements

Total property and equipment

Less: accumulated depreciation

Property and equipment, net

Estimated
useful life
(years)

2 - 5 $

2 - 5

2 - 5

—

3 - 10

Lesser of lease term or 10 years

December 31,

2017
2,728 $

76,331

34,058

3,102

7,265

22,359

145,843

2016
2,403

81,260

31,604

2,972

7,989

19,942

146,170

(103,600)

(95,901)

$

42,243 $

50,269

Depreciation expense was $17.8 million, $19.8 million, and $18.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 
and 2015, respectively.

Property and equipment, net of depreciation, under capital leases at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was insignificant.

Software development costs

Software development costs consisted of the following, as of: 

(dollars in thousands)
Software development costs

Less: accumulated amortization

Software development costs, net

80

2017 Form 10-K

Estimated
useful life
(years)

3 - 7 $

December 31,

2017
84,404 $

2016
55,126

(30,306)

(17,544)

$

54,098 $

37,582

  
 
  
 
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Amortization expense related to software development costs was $12.8 million, $8.3 million, and $5.4 million for the years 
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is included primarily in cost of subscriptions.

8. Consolidated Financial Statement Details

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(dollars in thousands)
Deferred sales commissions

Prepaid software maintenance and subscriptions

Taxes, prepaid and receivable

Prepaid insurance

Deferred professional services costs

Prepaid royalties

Deferred tax asset

Other assets

Total prepaid expenses and other assets

Less: Long-term portion

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

(dollars in thousands)
Accrued bonuses

Accrued commissions and salaries

Taxes payable

Deferred rent liabilities

Lease incentive obligations

Unrecognized tax benefit

Customer credit balances

Accrued subscriptions

Accrued vacation costs

Accrued health care costs

Other liabilities

Total accrued expenses and other liabilities

Less: Long-term portion

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

December 31,
2017
41,414 $

December 31,
2016
37,459

$

18,130

10,548

1,310

681

500

451

7,148

80,182

24,083

$

56,099 $

18,627

4,111

308

1,722

1,373

2,379

4,859

70,838

22,524

48,314

December 31,
2017
16,743 $

December 31,
2016
17,468

$

6,943

5,517

4,548

4,635

1,972

4,652

1,221

2,458

2,615

8,727

60,031

5,632

$

54,399 $

8,832

5,721

4,110

5,604

3,295

5,148

2,840

2,214

1,495

6,002

62,729

8,533

54,196

2017 Form 10-K

81

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Deferred revenue

(dollars in thousands)
Subscriptions

Maintenance

Services and other

Total deferred revenue

Less: Long-term portion

December 31,
2017
185,042 $

December 31,
2016
144,606

$

63,246

31,811

280,099

3,643

76,803

29,531

250,940

6,440

Deferred revenue, current portion

$

276,456 $

244,500

Other income (expense), net

(dollars in thousands)
Interest income

Loss on sale of business

Gain on derivative instrument

Loss on debt extinguishment

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net

9. Debt

Years ended December 31,

2017
993 $

$

—

462

(299)

1,104

2016
581 $

—

—

—

(872)

2015
155

(1,976)

—

—

134

$

2,260 $

(291) $

(1,687)

The following table summarizes our debt balances and the related weighted average effective interest rates, which includes 
the effect of interest rate swap agreements.

(dollars in thousands)
Credit facility:
    Revolving credit loans
    Term loans
Other debt
        Total debt
Less: Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
Less: Debt, current portion
Debt, net of current portion

$

$

Financing for 2017 acquisitions

Debt balance at

Weighted average
effective interest rate at

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

143,000 $
296,250
1,076
440,326
2,102
8,576
429,648 $

180,900
162,969
—
343,869
1,476
4,375
338,018

2.84%
2.64%
4.50%
2.71%

3.03%
2.71%

2.36%
2.62%
—%
2.48%

2.50%
2.48%

On April 3, 2017 we acquired AcademicWorks for $52.1 million in cash, net of closing adjustments. We financed the 
acquisition with a revolving credit loan under the 2014 Credit Facility (defined below). On October 2, 2017, we borrowed 
$138.7 million pursuant to a revolving credit loan under the 2017 Credit Facility (defined below) to finance our acquisition 
of JustGiving.

82

2017 Form 10-K

  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

2017 refinancing

We were previously party to a $325.0 million five-year credit facility entered into during February 2014. The credit facility 
included: a dollar and a designated currency revolving credit facility with sublimits for letters of credit and swingline loans 
(the “2014 Revolving Facility”) and a delayed draw term loan (the “2014 Term Loan”) together, (the “2014 Credit Facility”).

In June 2017, we entered into a five-year $700.0 million senior credit facility (the “2017 Credit Facility”). The 2017 Credit 
Facility includes a $400.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Facility”) and a $300.0 million term loan 
facility (the “2017 Term Loan”). Upon closing we drew $300.0 million on a term loan and $110.0 million in revolving credit 
loans, which was used to repay all amounts outstanding under the 2014 Credit Facility, fees and expenses incurred in 
connection with the 2017 Credit Facility, and for other general corporate purposes.

Certain lenders of the 2014 Term Loan participated in the 2017 Term Loan and the change in the present value of our 
future cash flows to these lenders under the 2014 Term Loan and under the 2017 Term Loan was less than 10%. Accordingly, 
we accounted for the refinancing event for these lenders as a debt modification. Certain lenders of the 2014 Term Loan
did not participate in the 2017 Term Loan. Accordingly, we accounted for the refinancing event for these lenders as a debt 
extinguishment. Certain lenders of the 2014 Revolving Facility participated in the 2017 Revolving Facility and provided 
increased borrowing capacities. Accordingly, we accounted for the refinancing event for these lenders as a debt modification. 
Certain lenders of the 2014 Revolving Facility did not participate in the 2017 Revolving Facility. Accordingly, we accounted 
for the refinancing event for these lenders as a debt extinguishment.

We recorded an insignificant loss on debt extinguishment related to the write-off of debt discount and deferred financing 
costs for the portions of the 2014 Credit Facility considered to be extinguished. This loss was recognized in the consolidated 
statements of comprehensive income within other income (expense), net.

In connection with our entry into the 2017 Credit Facility, we paid $3.1 million in financing costs, of which $1.0 million
were capitalized in other assets and, together with a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs from the 2014 
Credit Facility and prior facilities, are being amortized into interest expense ratably over the term of the new facility. As of 
December 31,  2017,  deferred  financing  costs  totaling  $1.2  million  were  included  in  other  assets  on  our  consolidated 
balance sheets. As of December 31, 2016, deferred financing costs included in other assets on our consolidated balance 
sheets were insignificant. We recorded aggregate financing costs of $1.8 million as a direct deduction from the carrying 
amount of our debt liability, which related to debt discount (fees paid to lenders) and debt issuance costs for the 2017 
Term Loan.

Summary of the 2017 Credit Facility

The 2017 Revolving Facility includes (i) a $50.0 million sublimit available for the issuance of standby letters of credit, (ii) a 
$50.0 million sublimit available for swingline loans, and (iii) a $100.0 million sublimit available for multicurrency borrowings.

The 2017 Credit Facility is secured by the stock and limited liability company interests of certain of our subsidiaries and 
any of our material domestic subsidiaries.

Amounts borrowed under the dollar tranche revolving credit loans and term loan under the 2017 Credit Facility bear interest 
at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, (a) a base rate equal to the highest of (i) the prime rate announced by Bank 
of America, N.A., (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (iii) the Eurocurrency Rate (which varies depending on the 
currency in which the loan is denominated) plus 1.00% (the “Base Rate”), in addition to a margin of 0.00% to 0.75%, 
or (b) Eurocurrency Rate plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.75%.

We also pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused portion of the 2017 Revolving Facility from 0.15% to 0.25% per 
annum, depending on our net leverage ratio. At December 31, 2017, the commitment fee was 0.20%.

The term loan under the 2017 Credit Facility requires periodic principal payments. The balance of the term loan and any 
amounts drawn on the revolving credit loans are due upon maturity of the 2017 Credit Facility in June 2022. We evaluate 
the classification of our debt as current or non-current based on the required annual maturities of the 2017 Credit Facility.

2017 Form 10-K

83

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The 2017 Credit Facility includes financial covenants related to the net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio, as well 
as restrictions on our ability to declare and pay dividends and our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock. At 
December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with our debt covenants under the 2017 Credit Facility.

The 2017 Credit Facility also includes an option to request increases in the revolving commitments and/or request additional 
term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200.0 million plus an amount, if any, such that the Net Leverage 
Ratio shall be no greater than 3.00 to 1.00. At December 31, 2017, our available borrowing capacity under the 2017 
Credit Facility was $254.2 million.

Other debt

In September 2017, we entered into a two-year $2.2 million agreement to finance our purchase of software licenses and 
related services. The agreement is a non-interest-bearing note requiring annual payments, where the first payment was 
due in November 2017. Interest associated with the note is imputed at the rate we would incur for amounts borrowed 
under the 2017 Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2017, the required annual maturities related to the 2017 Credit Facility and other debt were as follows:

Years ending December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
2018 
2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
Thereafter

Total required maturities

10. Derivative Instruments

Cash flow hedges

$

Annual
maturities
8,576
7,500
7,500
7,500
409,250
—
$ 440,326

We generally use derivative instruments to manage our variable interest rate risk. In March 2014, we entered into a new 
interest rate swap agreement (the "March 2014 Swap Agreement"), which effectively converts portions of our variable 
rate debt under our credit facility to a fixed rate for the term of the March 2014 Swap Agreement. The initial notional 
value of the March 2014 Swap Agreement was $125.0 million with an effective date beginning in March 2014. In March 
2017, the notional value of the March 2014 Swap Agreement decreased to $75.0 million for the remaining term through 
February 2018. We designated the March 2014 Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge at the inception of the contract.

In October 2015, we entered into an additional interest rate swap agreement (the "October 2015 Swap Agreement"), 
which effectively converts portions of our variable rate debt under our credit facility to a fixed rate for the term of the 
October 2015 Swap Agreement. The notional value of the October 2015 Swap Agreement was $75.0 million with an 
effective  date  beginning  in  October  2015  and  maturing  in  February  2018.  We  designated  the  October  2015  Swap 
Agreement as a cash flow hedge at the inception of the contract.

In  July  2017,  we  entered  into  an  additional  interest  rate  swap  agreement  (the  "July  2017  Swap  Agreement"),  which 
effectively converts portions of our variable rate debt under our credit facility to a fixed rate for the term of the July 2017 
Swap Agreement. The notional value of the July 2017 Swap Agreement was $150.0 million with an effective date beginning 
in July 2017 through July 2021. We designated the July 2017 Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge at the inception of 
the contract.

84

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Undesignated contracts

In  June  2017,  we  entered  into  a  foreign  currency  option  contract  to  hedge  our  exposure  to  currency  fluctuations  in 
connection with our acquisition of JustGiving because the purchase price was denominated in British Pounds. The notional 
value of the instrument was £100.0 million with an effective date beginning in June 2017 and maturing in September 
2017. We settled the foreign currency option contract in September 2017. We did not designate the foreign currency 
option contract as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes since it involved a business combination. As such, changes 
in the fair value of this derivative were recognized in earnings. The insignificant premium paid for this option and the $1.0 
million in proceeds from the settlement are shown within cash flows from investing activities in our consolidated statements 
of cash flows.

As the closing date of our acquisition of JustGiving extended beyond the settlement date of the foreign currency option 
contract, we entered into a foreign currency forward contract in September 2017 with settlement in October 2017. The 
notional value of the instrument was £103.5 million. We did not designate the foreign currency forward contract as a cash 
flow hedge for accounting purposes since it involved a business combination. As such, changes in the fair value of this 
derivative were recognized in earnings. The insignificant premium paid for this forward contract is shown within cash flows 
from investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

The fair values of our derivative instruments were as follows as of:

Asset Derivatives

Liability Derivatives

Balance sheet
location

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

Balance sheet
location

December 31,
2017

December 31,
2016

(dollars in thousands)

Derivative instruments designated
as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps, current portion

Interest rate swaps, long-term portion

Other assets

Total derivative instruments
designated as hedging instruments

Prepaid 
expenses
and other 
current assets $

Accrued 
expenses
and other 

145 $

1,138

—

current liabilities $

206

Other liabilities

$

1,283 $

206

$

— $

—

— $

—

163

163

We did not have any undesignated derivative instruments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The effects of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships were as follows:

Gain (loss) recognized
in accumulated other 
comprehensive 
loss as of

(dollars in thousands)
Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

$

$

$

December 31,
2017
1,283

December 31,
2016
42

December 31,
2015
(31)

Location 
of gain (loss) 
reclassified from 
accumulated other 
comprehensive 
loss into income
Interest expense $

Interest expense $

Interest expense $

Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated
 other comprehensive loss into income

Year ended 
 December 31, 2017
(293)

Year ended 
 December 31, 2016
(1,106)

Year ended 
 December 31, 2015
(1,569)

Our policy requires that derivatives used for hedging purposes be designated and effective as a hedge of the identified risk 
exposure at the inception of the contract. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains or 
losses from the change in fair value measurement of our derivative instruments each reporting period and the related 
income tax expense or benefit. Changes in the fair value measurements of the derivative instruments and the related 
income tax expense or benefit are reflected as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the 
actual hedged expense is incurred or until the hedge is terminated at which point the unrealized gain (loss) is reclassified 

2017 Form 10-K

85

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to current earnings. The estimated accumulated other comprehensive 
income  as  of  December 31,  2017  that  is  expected  to  be  reclassified  into  earnings  within  the  next  twelve  months  is 
insignificant. There were no ineffective portions of our interest rate swap derivatives during the years ended December 31, 
2017, 2016 and 2015. See Note 14 to these consolidated financial statements for a summary of the changes in accumulated 
other comprehensive income (loss) by component.

We did not have any undesignated derivative instruments during 2016 and 2015. The effects of undesignated derivative 
instruments during 2017 were as follows:

Gain (loss) recognized in income

Location of gain (loss) 
recognized in income on derivative

Other income (expense), net $

Other income (expense), net $

$

Year ended 
 December 31, 2017
513

(51)

462

(dollars in thousands)
Foreign currency option contracts

Foreign currency forward contracts
Total gain(1)

(1)  The individual amounts may not sum to total gain due to rounding.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Historical Leases

We lease our headquarters facility under a 15-year lease agreement which was entered into in October 2008, and has two
five-year renewal options. The current annual base rent of the lease is $4.3 million, payable in equal monthly installments. 
The base rent escalates annually at a rate equal to the change in the consumer price index, as defined in the agreement, 
but not to exceed 5.5% in any year.

We have a lease for office space in Austin, Texas which terminates on September 30, 2023, and has two five-year renewal 
options. The current annual base rent of the lease is $2.8 million. The base rent escalates annually between 2% and 4%
based on the terms of the agreement. The rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the length of the lease 
term. At December 31, 2017, we had a standby letter of credit of $1.5 million for a security deposit for this lease.

We have provisions in our leases that entitle us to aggregate remaining leasehold improvement allowances of $5.7 million
as of December 31, 2017. These amounts are being recorded as a reduction to rent expense ratably over the terms of the 
leases. The leasehold improvement allowances have been included in the table of operating lease commitments below as 
a reduction in our lease commitments ratably over the then remaining terms of the leases. The timing of the reimbursements 
for the actual leasehold improvements may vary from the amounts reflected in the table below.

Additionally, we have subleased a portion of our facilities under various agreements through 2023. As of December 31, 
2017,  our  total  minimum  rentals  to  be  received  in  the  future  under  noncancelable  subleases  was  $6.5  million.  These 
amounts are also being recorded as a reduction to rent expense.

Total rent expense was $16.1 million, $11.7 million and $10.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 
2015, respectively.

The quarterly South Carolina state incentive payments we received as a result of locating our current headquarters facility 
in Berkeley County, South Carolina, ended in the fourth quarter of 2016. These amounts were recorded as a reduction of 
rent expense upon receipt and were $2.9 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively.

Lease for New Headquarters Facility

In May 2016, we entered into a lease agreement for a new headquarters facility to be built in Charleston, South Carolina 
(the "New Headquarters Facility"). The landlord is responsible for the design, development and construction of the New 
Headquarters Facility. Construction of the New Headquarters Facility will proceed in two phases. Phase One will include a 
building with approximately 172,000 rentable square feet, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2018. 

86

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The lease agreement also grants us a Phase Two option to request that the landlord construct and lease to us a second 
office building and related improvements. Total rent payments and leasehold improvement allowances for Phase One are 
estimated to be approximately $104.2 million and $13.9 million, respectively, over the life of the lease agreement, plus 
additional amounts for Phase Two, if applicable. The lease agreement is for a period of twenty years beginning on the date 
of substantial completion of construction by the landlord, which is estimated to be in the first half of 2018, and ending in 
the first half of 2038. The lease agreement provides for four renewal periods of five years each at a base rent equal to the 
then prevailing market rate for comparable buildings. We expect to receive quarterly South Carolina state incentive payments 
as a result of locating our new headquarters facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina, which will be recorded as a reduction 
of rent expense upon receipt.

As of December 31, 2017, the future minimum lease payments related to lease agreements with a remaining noncancelable 
term in excess of one year, net of related sublease commitments and lease incentives, were as follows:

Years ending December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

Thereafter

Total minimum lease payments

Operating
leases(1)
18,373

$

17,273

15,407

14,697

14,696

82,789

$

163,235

(1)  Our future minimum lease commitments related to operating leases do not include payments related to Phase Two of our New Headquarters Facility, 

as that option had not been exercised as of December 31, 2017.

Other commitments

As discussed in Note 9 to these consolidated financial statements, the term loans under the 2017 Credit Facility require 
periodic principal payments. The balance of the term loans and any amounts drawn on the revolving credit loans are due 
upon maturity of the 2017 Credit Facility in June 2022.

We have contractual obligations for third-party technology used in our solutions and for other services we purchase as 
part of our normal operations. In certain cases, these arrangements require a minimum annual purchase commitment by 
us. As of December 31, 2017, the remaining aggregate minimum purchase commitment under these arrangements was 
approximately $66.8 million through 2021.

Solution and service indemnifications

In the ordinary course of business, we provide certain indemnifications of varying scope to customers against claims of 
intellectual property infringement made by third parties arising from the use of our solutions or services. If we determine 
that it is probable that a loss has been incurred related to solution or service indemnifications, any such loss that could be 
reasonably estimated would be recognized. We have not identified any losses and, accordingly, we have not recorded a 
liability related to these indemnifications.

Guarantees and indemnification obligations

We enter into agreements in the ordinary course of business with, among others, customers, creditors, vendors and service 
providers. Pursuant to certain of these agreements we have agreed to indemnify the other party for certain matters, such 
as property damage, personal injury, acts or omissions of ours, or our employees, agents or representatives, or third-party 
claims alleging that the activities of its contractual partner pursuant to the contract infringe a patent, trademark or copyright 
of such third party.

2017 Form 10-K

87

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Legal contingencies

We are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We make a provision for a 
loss contingency when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably 
estimated.  These provisions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, 
rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. Unless otherwise specifically 
disclosed in this note, we have determined as of December 31, 2017, that no provision for liability nor disclosure is required 
related to any claim against us because (a) there is not a reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already 
recognized (if any) may be incurred with respect to such claim; (b) a reasonably possible loss or range of loss cannot be 
estimated; or (c) such estimate is immaterial.

All legal costs associated with litigation are expensed as incurred. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. However, we believe 
that we have valid defenses with respect to the legal matters pending against us. It is possible, nevertheless, that our 
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be negatively affected in any particular period by 
an unfavorable resolution of one or more of such proceedings, claims or investigations.

12. Income Taxes

We file income tax returns in the U.S. for federal and various state jurisdictions as well as in foreign jurisdictions including 
Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland. We are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for 
calendar tax years 2014 through 2017 as well as state and foreign income tax examinations for various years depending 
on statutes of limitations of those jurisdictions.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts 
and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not 
limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018; (2) requiring 
companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries (the "Transition Tax"); 
(3) generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (4) requiring a current inclusion 
in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations; (5) eliminating the corporate alternative 
minimum tax (AMT) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized; (6) creating the base erosion anti-abuse tax 
(BEAT), a new minimum tax; (7) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; and (8) changing rules related 
to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.

Under GAAP, we use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets 
and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement 
carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  respective  tax  bases.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are 
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences 
are expected to be recovered or settled. Due to the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, we 
revalued our net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities and recorded a discrete tax benefit to expense of $20.0 
million in 2017.

The Transition Tax is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits of certain of our foreign 
subsidiaries. We were able to make a reasonable estimate of the Transition Tax and determined that it was insignificant. 

The Tax Act eliminates the exceptions for performance-based compensation and CFO compensation from the 162(m) 
calculation. A transition rule allows for the grandfathering of performance-based compensation pursuant to a written 
binding contract in effect as of November 2, 2017. While there is negative discretion inherent in our performance-based 
compensation plans, it is our position that the intent is for historic contracts to be written and binding. As a result, we 
have not adjusted the ending deferred tax asset for the performance-based stock compensation or the bonus accrual in 
our 2017 tax provision.

The Tax Act includes a new provision, referred to as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”), which provides for a 
10.5% tax on certain income of controlled foreign corporations. We have elected to account for GILTI as a period cost if 
and when occurred, rather than recognizing deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse. As a result of this 
policy election, there is no impact to our 2017 deferred tax calculation.

88

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our estimates of the impact of the Tax Act may change due to a number of additional considerations including, but not 
limited to, the issuance of additional regulations or guidance and our ongoing analysis of the new law. Any subsequent 
adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to tax expense in 2018 when the analysis is complete.

The following summarizes the components of income tax expense:

(dollars in thousands)

Current taxes:
U.S. Federal

U.S. State and local

International

Total current taxes

Deferred taxes:
U.S. Federal

U.S. State and local

International

Total deferred taxes

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

2,632 $

4,655 $

(144)

101

2,589

(13,843)

398

(883)

(14,328)

1,670

53

6,378

2,544

304

185

3,033

9,411 $

5,890

2,215

33

8,138

2,702

585

(122)

3,165

11,303

Total income tax provision

$

(11,739) $

The following summarizes the components of income before provision for income taxes:

(dollars in thousands)
U.S.

International

Income before provision for income taxes

Years ended December 31,

2017
54,634 $

(440)

2016
49,320 $

1,606

2015
37,523

(571)

54,194 $

50,926 $

36,952

$

$

2017 Form 10-K

89

  
  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

A reconciliation between the effect of applying the federal statutory rate and the effective income tax rate used to calculate 
our income tax provision is as follows:

Federal statutory rate

Effect of:

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

Change in federal income tax rate applied to deferred tax balances

Change in state income tax rate applied to deferred tax balances

Fixed assets

Unrecognized tax benefit

State credits, net of federal benefit

Change in valuation reserve (primarily state credit reserves)

Federal credits generated

Foreign tax rate

Acquisition costs

Section 162(m) limitation

Loss from sale of foreign subsidiary

Domestic production activities deduction

Stock-based compensation

Other

Income tax provision effective rate

Years ended December 31,

2017
35.0 %

2016
35.0%

2015
35.0%

1.6

(36.9)

—

—

1.6

(1.5)

(1.1)

(6.2)

0.2

2.4

2.7

—

—

(20.3)

0.8

4.1

—

0.2

—

0.2

(0.1)

(1.6)

(6.2)

(0.4)

0.1

1.7

—

(1.2)

(13.6)

0.3

5.7

—

2.1

(0.1)

(1.1)

6.0

(8.6)

(6.1)

(0.7)

0.1

0.1

1.9

(1.8)

—

(1.9)

(21.7)%

18.5%

30.6%

As discussed above, due to the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, we revalued our net deferred 
tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017, and recorded a discrete tax benefit to expense of $20.0 
million in 2017.

The discrete tax benefit to expense relating to stock-based compensation items was $12.5 million in 2017. We recorded 
a discrete tax benefit to expense relating to stock-based compensation of $7.7 million during the year ended December 31, 
2016. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in 2016, we recorded excess tax benefit from the exercise and vesting of 
stock-based compensation of $5.5 million in additional paid in capital during the year ended December 31, 2015.

90

2017 Form 10-K

  
  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

Deferred tax assets relating to:

December 31,

2017

2016

Federal and state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards

$

13,597 $

Federal, state and foreign tax credits

Intangible assets

Stock-based compensation

Accrued bonuses

Deferred revenue

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Other

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities relating to:

Intangible assets

Fixed assets

Deferred sales commissions

Capitalized software development costs

Other

Total deferred tax liabilities

Valuation allowance

Net deferred tax liability

14,389

693

9,611

1,001

859

1,379

5,440

12,906

9,924

652

11,480

7,426

5,371

1,294

6,781

46,969

55,834

(47,997)

(4,552)

(9,354)

(14,012)

(995)

(76,910)

(7,205)

$

(37,146) $

(44,885)

(9,200)

(6,347)

(14,832)

(755)

(76,019)

(6,994)

(27,179)

As of December 31, 2017, our federal, foreign and state net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were 
approximately  $33.5  million,  $31.2  million  and  $36.9  million,  respectively.  The  federal  and  state  net  operating  loss 
carryforwards are subject to various Internal Revenue Code limitations and applicable state tax laws. If not utilized, the 
federal net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2028 and the state net operating loss carryforwards will 
expire over various periods beginning in 2018. Our foreign net operating loss carryforwards have an unlimited carryforward 
period. As of December 31, 2017, our foreign tax credit carryforwards for income tax purposes were insignificant. Our 
federal tax credit carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $3.6 million. Our state tax credit carryforwards 
for income tax purposes were approximately $13.5 million, net of federal benefit. If not utilized, the federal tax credit 
carryforwards will begin to expire in 2036 and the state tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2018. A portion of 
the  foreign  and  state  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  and  state  credit  carryforwards  have  a  valuation  reserve  due  to 
management's uncertainty regarding the future ability to use such carryforwards.

The following table illustrates the change in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance: 

Years ended December 31,

(dollars in thousands)
2017

2016

2015

Balance
at beginning
of year
6,994 $

$

7,911

11,161

Charges to
expense

211 $

(917)

(3,250)

Balance at
end of
year
7,205

6,994

7,911

2017 Form 10-K

91

  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The following table sets forth the change to our unrecognized tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2017, 
2016 and 2015:

(dollars in thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2016

Increases from prior period positions
Decreases in prior year positions
Increases from current period positions
Settlements (payments)
Lapse of statute of limitations
Balance at December 31, 2017

Years ended December 31,

2017
3,145 $
1,860
(238)
404
—
(11)
5,160 $

2016
3,024 $
23
(17)
358
—
(243)
3,145 $

2015
3,564
129
(651)
257
(274)
(1)
3,024

$

$

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefit that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate was $4.6 
million  at  December 31,  2017.  Certain  prior  period  amounts  relating  to  our  2014  acquisitions  are  covered  under 
indemnification agreements and, therefore, we have recorded a corresponding indemnification asset. We recognize accrued 
interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The total amount 
of accrued interest and penalties included in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 was $0.8 million. 
The total amount of accrued interest and penalties included in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016
was insignificant. The total amount of interest and penalties included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive 
income as an increase or decrease in income tax expense for 2017, 2016 and 2015 was insignificant.

We have taken federal and state tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized 
tax benefits might decrease within the next twelve months. This possible decrease could result from the expiration of 
statutes of limitations. The reasonably possible decrease at December 31, 2017 was $1.6 million.

For our undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which we do not consider to be significant, we concluded that these 
earnings would be permanently reinvested in the local jurisdictions and not repatriated to the United States. Accordingly, 
we have not provided for U.S. state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on those undistributed earnings of our 
foreign subsidiaries. If some or all of such earnings were to be remitted, the amount of taxes payable would be insignificant.

13. Stock-based Compensation

Employee stock-based compensation plans

Under the 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2016 Equity Plan"), we may grant incentive stock options, 
nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock awards and cash 
incentive awards to employees, directors and consultants. We maintain other stock-based compensation plans including 
the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Equity Plan”), under which no additional grants may be made, and the 2009 
Equity Compensation Plan for Employees from Acquired Companies, under which we may grant shares of common stock 
to employees pursuant to employment contracts or other arrangements entered into in connection with past and future 
acquisitions.

In connection with the acquisition of Kintera in July 2008, we maintain the Kintera, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 
Equity  Incentive  Plan,  as  amended  (the  “Kintera  2003  Plan”),  which  we  assumed  upon  the  acquisition  of  Kintera.  In 
connection with the acquisition of Convio in May 2012, we maintain the Convio, Inc. 1999 Stock Option/Stock Issuance 
Plan, as amended (the “Convio 1999 Plan”) and Convio, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Convio 2009 
Plan”),  which  we  assumed  upon  the  acquisition  of  Convio.  Our  Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
administers all of these plans and the stock-based awards are granted under terms determined by them.

92

2017 Form 10-K

  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The total number of authorized stock-based awards available under our plans was 5,558,809 as of December 31, 2017. 
We issue common stock from our pool of authorized stock upon exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights, 
vesting of restricted stock units or upon granting of restricted stock.

Historically, we have issued four types of awards under these plans: restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock 
appreciation rights and stock options. The following table sets forth the number of awards outstanding for each award 
type as of:

Award type
Restricted stock awards

Restricted stock units

Stock appreciation rights

Stock options

Outstanding at December 31,

2017
1,257,574

493,248

212,506

2,050

2016
1,178,592

465,395

469,075

3,502

The majority of the stock-based awards granted under these plans have a 10-year contractual term. Stock appreciation 
rights  (“SARs”)  have  contractual  lives  of  7  years.  Awards  granted  to  our  executive  officers  and  certain  members  of 
management are subject to accelerated vesting upon a change in control as defined in the employees’ retention agreement.

Expense recognition

We recognize compensation expense associated with stock options and awards with performance or market based vesting 
conditions on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period of the individual grantees, which generally equals the 
vesting period. We recognize compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards and SARs on a straight-line 
basis over the requisite service period of the individual grantees, which generally equals the vesting period. We recognize 
the effect of awards for which the requisite service period is not rendered when the award is forfeited (that is, we recognize 
the effect of forfeitures in compensation cost when they occur). Previously recognized compensation cost for an award is 
reversed in the period that the award is forfeited.

Stock-based compensation expense is allocated to cost of revenue and operating expenses on the consolidated statements 
of  comprehensive  income  based  on  where  the  associated  employee’s compensation  is  recorded.  The  following  table 
summarizes stock-based compensation expense:

(in thousands)
Included in cost of revenue:

Cost of subscriptions
Cost of maintenance
Cost of services and other

Total included in cost of revenue

Included in operating expenses:

Sales, marketing and customer success
Research and development
General and administrative

Total included in operating expenses

Total stock-based compensation expense

Years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

$

1,254 $
373
1,843
3,470

6,381
7,765
23,015
37,161
40,631 $

1,168 $
508
1,621
3,297

3,844
6,467
19,030
29,341
32,638 $

1,130
420
1,944
3,494

2,979
4,865
13,908
21,752
25,246

The total amount of compensation cost related to unvested awards not recognized was $65.3 million at December 31, 
2017. It is expected that this amount will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.

2017 Form 10-K

93

  
  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Restricted stock awards

We have granted shares of common stock subject to certain restrictions under the 2016 Equity Plan and the 2008 Equity 
Plan. Restricted stock awards granted to employees vest in equal annual installments generally over four years from the 
grant date subject to the recipient’s continued employment with us. Restricted stock awards granted to non-employee 
directors vest after one year from the date of grant or, if earlier, immediately prior to the next annual election of directors, 
provided the non-employee director is serving as a director at that time. The fair market value of the stock at the time of 
the grant is amortized on a straight-line basis to expense over the period of vesting. Recipients of restricted stock awards 
have the right to vote such shares and receive dividends.

The following table summarizes our unvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2017, and changes during the 
year then ended:

Restricted stock awards
Unvested at January 1, 2017

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Unvested at December 31, 2017

Restricted
stock awards
1,178,592 $

570,208

(410,087)

(81,139)

1,257,574

Weighted
average
grant-date
fair value
49.49

74.08

47.28

55.35

61.00

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(in  years)

Aggregate
intrinsic value(1)
(in thousands)

8.2 $

118,828

(1)  The intrinsic value is calculated as the market value as of the end of the fiscal period.

The total fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 
$19.4 million, $14.5 million and $10.6 million, respectively. The weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted stock 
awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $53.59 and $48.82, respectively.

Restricted stock units

We have also granted restricted stock units subject to certain restrictions under the 2016 Equity Plan and the 2008 Equity 
Plan. Restricted stock units granted to employees vest in equal annual installments generally over three years from the 
grant date subject to the recipient’s continued employment with us. We have also granted restricted stock units for which 
vesting is subject to meeting certain performance and/or market conditions. Restricted stock units granted with a market 
condition had a fair market value assigned at the grant date based on the use of a Monte Carlo simulation model. The fair 
market value of the stock at the time of the grant is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period of vesting 
except for awards with market or performance conditions, which are amortized on an accelerated basis over the period 
of vesting.

The following table summarizes our unvested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2017, and changes during the year 
then ended: 

Restricted stock units
Unvested at January 1, 2017

Granted

Forfeited

Vested

Unvested at December 31, 2017

Restricted
stock units
465,395 $

247,471

(8,157)

(211,461)

493,248

Weighted
average
grant-date
fair value
47.51

72.19

51.75

44.65

61.05

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(in  years)

Aggregate
intrinsic value(1)
(in thousands)

8.3 $

46,607  

(1)  The intrinsic value is calculated as the market value as of the end of the fiscal period.

94

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was 
$9.4 million, $6.7 million, and $3.9 million, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock 
units granted for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $51.98 and $45.15, respectively. 

Stock appreciation rights

We have granted SARs under the 2008 Equity Plan to certain members of management. The SARs will be settled in stock 
at the time of exercise and vest in equal annual installments generally over four years from the date of grant subject to 
the recipient’s continued employment with us. The number of shares issued upon the exercise of the SARs is calculated as 
the difference between the share price of our stock on the date of exercise and the date of grant multiplied by the number 
of SARs divided by the share price on the exercise date.

The following table summarizes our outstanding SARs as of December 31, 2017, and changes during the year then ended: 

Stock appreciation rights
Outstanding at January 1, 2017

Exercised

Outstanding at December 31, 2017

Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2017

Stock
appreciation
rights
469,075 $

(256,569)

212,506

212,506

Weighted
average
exercise
price
23.63

24.14

23.01

23.01

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(in  years)

Aggregate
intrinsic value(1)
(in thousands)

1.8 $

1.8

15,191

15,191

(1)  The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value as of the end of the fiscal period and the exercise price of the shares.

There have been no new SARs granted since 2013. The total intrinsic value of SARs exercised during the years ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $14.2 million, $10.7 million, and $5.2 million, respectively. The total fair value 
of SARs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2017 was insignificant. The total fair value of SARs that vested 
during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $1.0 million, and $1.9 million, respectively. SARs granted with 
a market condition had a fair market value assigned at the grant date based on the use of a Monte Carlo simulation model. 
All other SARs granted had a fair market value assigned at the grant date based on the use of the Black-Scholes option 
pricing model.

Stock options

The following table summarizes our outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2017, and changes during the year 
then ended: 

Stock options
Outstanding at January 1, 2017

Exercised

Expired

Outstanding at December 31, 2017

Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2017

Stock
options
3,502 $

(1,400)

(52)

2,050

2,050

Weighted
average
exercise
price
11.25

10.99

10.59

11.44

11.44

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(in years)

Aggregate
intrinsic value(1)
(in thousands)

0.9 $

0.9

170

170

(1)  The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value as of the end of the fiscal period and the exercise price of the shares.

There have been no new stock option awards granted since 2005. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was insignificant. The total fair value of stock options that vested 
during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was insignificant. All outstanding stock options granted had 
a fair market value assigned at the grant date based on the use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

2017 Form 10-K

95

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

14. Stockholders' Equity

Preferred stock

Our Board of Directors may fix the relative rights and preferences of each series of preferred stock in a resolution of the 
Board of Directors.

Dividends

Our Board of Directors has adopted a dividend policy, which provides for the distribution to stockholders a portion of cash 
generated by us that is in excess of operational needs and capital expenditures. The 2017 Credit Facility limits the amount 
of dividends payable and certain state laws restrict the amount of dividends distributed.

The following table provides information with respect to quarterly dividends paid on common stock during the year 
ended December 31, 2017.

Declaration Date
February 8, 2017

May 1, 2017

July 31, 2017

October 25, 2017

$

Dividend
per Share
0.12

0.12

0.12

Record Date
February 28

Payable Date
March 15

May 26

June 15

August 28

September 15

0.12 November 28

December 15

On February 6, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a first quarter dividend of $0.12 per share payable on March 15, 
2018 to stockholders of record on February 28, 2018.

Stock repurchase program

In August 2010, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized us to purchase up to $50.0 
million of our outstanding shares of common stock. The program does not have an expiration date. The shares can be 
purchased from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions depending upon market conditions 
and other factors. Under the 2017 Credit Facility, we also have restrictions on our ability to repurchase shares of our 
common stock.

We account for purchases of treasury stock under the cost method. The remaining amount available to purchase stock 
under the stock repurchase program was $50.0 million as of December 31, 2017.

96

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of period

By component:

Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income balance, beginning of
period

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax
effects of $(374), $406 and $514

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to
interest expense

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to
loss on debt extinguishment and termination of derivative instruments

Tax benefit included in provision for income taxes

Total amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

Net current-period other comprehensive income

Accumulated other comprehensive income balance, end of period

Foreign currency translation adjustment:

Accumulated other comprehensive loss balance, beginning of period

Translation adjustments

Accumulated other comprehensive loss balance, end of period

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period

$

$

$

$

$

Years ended December 31,

2017
(457) $

2016
(825) $

2015
(1,032)

25 $

(19) $

(164)

(626)

(818)

1,106

1,569

574

293

—

(116)

177

751

—

(436)

670

44

776 $

25 $

(482) $

(806) $

(943)

(1,425)

324

(482)

(649) $

(457) $

—

(606)

963

145

(19)

(868)

62

(806)

(825)

15. Defined Contribution Plan

We have a defined contribution plan 401(k) (the "401K Plan") covering substantially all employees. Employees were able 
to contribute between 1% and 75% of their salaries in 2017 and 2016 and between 1% and 30% of their salaries in 
2015. We match 50% of qualified employees’ contributions up to 6% of their salary. The 401K Plan also provides for 
additional employer contributions to be made at our discretion. Total matching contributions to the 401K Plan for the 
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $7.1 million, $7.6 million and $5.3 million, respectively. There were 
no discretionary contributions by us to the 401K Plan in 2017, 2016 and 2015.

2017 Form 10-K

97

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

16. Segment Information

As discussed in Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements, our chief operating decision maker is CEO. Our chief 
operating decision maker uses consolidated financial information to make operating decisions, assess financial performance 
and allocate resources. We have one operating segment and one reportable segment.

The following table presents long-lived assets by geographic region based on the location of the assets.

(dollars in thousands)

Property and equipment:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016

17. Disaggregation of Revenue

United
 States

Other
Countries

Total

$

39,071 $
47,663

3,172 $
2,606

42,243
50,269

We generate a portion of our revenue from operations outside of the United States. The following table presents revenue 
by geographic region based on country of invoice origin.

(dollars in thousands)

Revenue by geography:

2017
2016
2015

United
 States

Other
Countries

Total

$ 706,798 $
660,339
570,519

81,508 $ 788,306
730,815
70,476
637,940
67,421

The  General  Markets  Group  ("GMG"),  the  Enterprise  Markets  Group  ("EMG"),  and  the  International  Markets  Group 
("IMG") comprise our go-to-market organizations. The following is a description of each market group:

• 

• 

The GMG focuses on sales to all K-12 private schools, faith-based and arts and cultural organizations, as well as 
emerging and mid-sized prospects in North America;

The EMG focuses on sales to all healthcare and higher education institutions, corporations and foundations, as 
well as large and/or strategic prospects in North America; and

• 

The IMG focuses on sales to all prospects and customers outside of North America.

 The following table presents our revenue by market group:

(dollars in thousands)

Revenue by market group:

2017
2016
2015

GMG

EMG

IMG

Other

Total

$ 406,954 $ 330,930 $

383,319
313,935

302,968
279,897

48,429 $
42,539
41,997

1,993 $ 788,306
730,815
1,989
637,940
2,111

98

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

18. Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total revenue

Gross profit

Income from operations
Income before provision for income taxes
Net income
Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total revenue

Gross profit

Income from operations

Income before provision for income taxes

Net income

Earnings per share

Basic

Diluted

$

$

$

$

December 31,
2017
216,977 $

September 30,
2017
195,513 $

June 30,
2017
192,195 $

114,555
18,739
16,006
30,709

108,508
17,965
15,341
12,548

105,200
16,748
14,359
11,165

March 31,
2017
183,621

98,139
10,579
8,488
11,511

0.66 $

0.64

0.27 $

0.26

0.24 $

0.23

0.25

0.24

December 31,
2016
198,305 $

September 30,
2016
183,063 $

June 30,
2016
180,191 $

105,903
24,024

21,372

17,284

99,746

13,540

10,884

8,934

96,579

13,624

10,838

9,060

March 31,
2016
169,256

89,367

10,612

7,832

6,237

0.37 $

0.36

0.19 $

0.19

0.20 $

0.19

0.14

0.13

Note: The individual amounts for each quarter may not sum to full year totals due to rounding.

The results of operations of acquired companies are included in the consolidated results of operations from the date of 
their  respective  acquisition.  See  Note  3  of  these  consolidated  financial  statements  for  details  related  to  our  business 
acquisitions.

19. Disposition of Business

On May 18, 2015, we completed the sale of RLC Customer Technology B.V. ("RLC"), a formerly wholly-owned entity 
based  in the  Netherlands,  to  a  private software  company  by  selling all  of  the issued  and outstanding  stock  of RLC  in 
exchange for $0.4 million in gross cash proceeds. We incurred an insignificant amount of legal costs associated with the 
disposition of this business. As part of the disposition, we derecognized $1.4 million of goodwill related to RLC. As a result 
of this disposition, we also recognized an insignificant foreign currency translation loss in our consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income. Overall, this transaction, including costs associated with the disposition and the recognition of an 
insignificant foreign currency translation gain, resulted in a $2.0 million loss, which was recorded in other income (expense), 
net in our consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015. The disposition of 
RLC did not qualify for reporting as a discontinued operation since the transaction did not represent a strategic shift in our 
operations.

2017 Form 10-K

99

  
Blackbaud, Inc.
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)

20. Restructuring

During 2017, in an effort to improve operating efficiency and further our organizational objectives, we initiated a plan to 
relocate  some  of  our  existing  offices  to  highly  modern  and  more  collaborative  workspaces  with  short-term  financial 
commitments. These workspaces are also more centrally located for our employees and closer to our customers. We are 
currently  evaluating  the  total  before-tax  restructuring  costs  we  expect  to  incur  as  a  result  of  this  plan  through  2019. 
Restructuring costs expected to be incurred consist primarily of costs to terminate existing lease agreements. For the year 
ended December 31, 2017, we incurred restructuring costs of $0.8 million related to the termination of our lease for office 
space in Emeryville, CA.

The following table summarizes our restructuring costs as of December 31, 2017:

(in thousands)

By component:

Contract termination costs

Total

Total costs incurred
during the year
ended

Included in accrued
expenses and
other liabilities at 

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2017

$

$

794 $

794 $

585

585

2017 Form 10-K

100

Blackbaud, Inc.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS 
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) are designed only to provide 
reasonable assurance that they will meet their objectives. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried 
out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive 
Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer), of the effectiveness 
of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 
13a-15(b). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our 
disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide the reasonable assurance discussed above.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No change in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017 with 
respect to our operations that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over 
financial reporting.

Although we do not believe it materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over 
financial reporting, we note that we acquired JustGiving in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as 
defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process 
designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those 
policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect 
the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary 
to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance 
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a 
material effect on the financial statements.

Our  management  conducted  an  evaluation  of  the  effectiveness  of  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
December 31, 2017, based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this evaluation under the Internal 
Control - Integrated Framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective 
as of December 31, 2017.

2017 Form 10-K

101

Blackbaud, Inc.

Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm

The  effectiveness  of  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December 31,  2017,  has  been  audited  by  our 
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report, which is included in Item 8 of this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

102

2017 Form 10-K

Blackbaud, Inc.

PART III.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

The information required by Item 10 with respect to Directors and Executive Officers is incorporated by reference from the 
information under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Information Regarding Meetings of the Board and Committees,” 
“Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of 
Ethics,” contained in Blackbaud’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders expected to be held on 
June 12, 2018, except for the identification of executive officers of the Registrant which is set forth in Part I of this report.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The  information  required  by  Item 11  is  incorporated  by  reference  from  the  information  under  the  captions  "Director 
Compensation," “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Summary Compensation Table” 
and "CEO Pay Ratio" contained in Blackbaud’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders expected 
to be held on June 12, 2018.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS 
AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from information under the captions “Stock Ownership” 
and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” contained in Blackbaud’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders expected to be held on June 12, 2018.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, 
AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Transactions 
with Related Persons,” and “Independence of Directors” contained in Blackbaud’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders expected to be held on June 12, 2018.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Audit Committee 
Report,” contained in Blackbaud’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders expected to be held on 
June 12, 2018.

2017 Form 10-K

103

Blackbaud, Inc.

PART IV.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) The following documents are included as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K:

1. 

 Financial statements

See the "Index to consolidated financial statements" in Part II Item 8 of this report.

2.  Financial statement schedules

Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable 
or is shown in the financial statements thereto.

3.  Exhibits

The exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this report:

Exhibit 
Number
2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5 *

2.6

2.7

2.8

Description of Document
Agreement and Plan of Merger and 
Reincorporation dated April 6, 2004

Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 16, 
2007 by and among Target Software, Inc., 
Target Analysis Group, Inc., all of the 
stockholders of Target Software, Inc. and Target 
Analysis Group, Inc., Charles Longfield, as 
stockholder representative, and Blackbaud, Inc.

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 
29, 2008 by and among Blackbaud, Inc., 
Eucalyptus Acquisition Corporation and Kintera, 
Inc.

Share Purchase Agreement dated as of April 29, 
2009 between RLC Group B.V., as the Seller, 
and Blackbaud, Inc., as the Purchaser

Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of February 
1, 2011 by and among Public Interest Data, Inc., 
all for the stockholders of Public Interest Data, 
Inc., Stephen W. Zautke, as stockholder 
representative and Blackbaud, Inc.

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of 
January 16, 2012 by and among Blackbaud, Inc., 
Caribou Acquisition Corporation and Convio, 
Inc.

Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of October 
6, 2011 by and among Everyday Hero Pty. Ltd., 
all of the stockholders of Everyday Hero Pty. Ltd., 
Nathan Betteridge as stockholder representative 
and Blackbaud Pacific Pty. Ltd.

Purchase Agreement, dated August 30, 2014, by 
and among MicroEdge Holdings, LLC, 
Blackbaud, Inc, direct and indirect holders of all 
of the outstanding equity interests of MicroEdge 
Holdings, LLC, and VFF I AIV I, L.P., as Sellers’ 
Representative.

Filed In

Registrant’s
Form
S-1/A

Dated
4/6/2004

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit
Number
2.1

8-K

1/18/2007

2.2

8-K

5/30/2008

2.3

10-Q

8/7/2009

10.42

10-Q

5/10/2011

2.3

8-K

1/17/2012

10-K

2/29/2012

2.4

2.7

8-K

10/2/2014

10.76

104

2017 Form 10-K

 
 
Blackbaud, Inc.

Description of Document

Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 
10, 2015, by and between Smart Tuition 
Holdings, LLC and Blackbaud, Inc.

Amendment, Consent and Waiver, Agreement 
dated as of October 2, 2015, by and between 
Smart Tuition Holdings, LLC and Blackbaud, Inc.

Amended and Restated Certificate of 
Incorporation of Blackbaud, Inc.

Filed In

Registrant’s
Form
8-K

Dated
10/8/2015

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit
Number
10.78

8-K

10/8/2015

10.79

DEF 14A

4/30/2009

  Amended and Restated Bylaws of Blackbaud, 

8-K

3/22/2011

Inc.

Blackbaud, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan, as 
amended

Blackbaud, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan, as 
amended

Blackbaud, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan, as amended, 
together with Form of Notice of Stock Option 
Grant and Stock Option Agreement

Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Grant and 
Restricted Stock Agreement under the 
Blackbaud, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan

Form of Notice of Stock Appreciation Rights 
Grant and Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement 
under the Blackbaud, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan

3.4

10.6

10.8

S-1/A

4/6/2004

S-1/A

4/6/2004

8-K

6/20/2006

10.20

10-K

2/28/2007

10.26

10-K

2/28/2007

10.27

Blackbaud, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan

DEF 14A

4/29/2008 Appendix A

Form of Notice of Grant and Stock Option 
Agreement under Blackbaud, Inc. 2008 Equity 
Incentive Plan

Form of Notice of Grant and Restricted Stock 
Agreement under Blackbaud, Inc. 2008 Equity 
Incentive Plan

Form of Notice of Grant and Stock Appreciation 
Rights Agreement under Blackbaud, Inc. 2008 
Equity Incentive Plan

S-8

S-8

S-8

8/4/2008

10.34

8/4/2008

10.35

8/4/2008

10.36

Exhibit
Number
2.9

2.10

3.4

3.5

10.6 †

10.8 †

10.20 †

10.26 †

10.27 †

10.33 †

10.34 †

10.35 †

10.36 †

10.37 †**  Kintera, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan, as 

10-K/A

3/26/2008

10.2

amended, and form of Stock Option Agreement 
thereunder

10.38 †**  Kintera, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Equity 

10-K/A

3/26/2008

10.3

Incentive Plan, as amended, and form of Stock 
Option Agreement thereunder

10.39 †

Form of Retention Agreement

10.40

10.41 †

10.49 †

Triple Net Lease Agreement dated as of October 
1, 2008 between Blackbaud, Inc. and Duck Pond 
Creek-SPE, LLC

Blackbaud, Inc. 2009 Equity Compensation Plan 
for Employees from Acquired Companies

Employment Agreement dated November 7, 
2008 between Blackbaud, Inc. and Charlie 
Cumbaa

10-Q

8-K

11/10/2008

12/11/2008

S-8

7/2/2009

10-Q

11/8/2011

10.37

10.37

10.41

10.49

10.50 †

Employment Agreement dated June 25, 2008 
between Blackbaud, Inc. and Kevin Mooney

10-Q

11/8/2011

10.50

2017 Form 10-K

105

Blackbaud, Inc.

Exhibit
Number  
10.55 †

Description of Document

Employment Agreement dated November 14, 
2011 between Blackbaud, Inc. and Anthony W. 
Boor

10.59 †*** Convio, Inc. 2009 Amended and Restated Stock 
Incentive Plan, as amended, and forms of stock 
option agreements

10.60 †*** Convio, Inc. Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option 

Notice (Double Trigger)

10.61 †*** Convio, Inc. Form of Restricted Stock Unit Notice 

(Double Trigger) and Agreement
10.62 †*** Convio, Inc. 1999 Stock Option/Stock Issuance 

10.63 †

10.64 †

10.65 †

10.66

10.70 †

10.71 †

10.72 †

10.81 †

10.82 †

10.83 †

10.84

10.85 †

10.86 †

10.87

Plan, as amended, and forms of stock option 
agreements
Blackbaud, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, as 
amended

Amendment to the Blackbaud, Inc. 2008 Equity 
Incentive Plan

Form of Employment Agreement between 
Blackbaud, Inc. and each of Anthony W. Boor 
and Kevin W. Mooney

Lease Amendment and Remediation Agreement 
entered into as of March 22, 2013, by and 
between Blackbaud, Inc. and Duck Pond Creek-
SPE, LLC.

Letter Agreement dated October 23, 2013 
between Blackbaud, Inc. and Anthony W. Boor

Offer Letter Agreement dated November 7, 
2013 between Blackbaud, Inc. and Michael P. 
Gianoni
Employment and Noncompetition Agreement 
dated November 8, 2013 between Blackbaud, 
Inc. and Michael P. Gianoni

Amended and Restated Employment and 
Noncompetition Agreement dated December 9, 
2015 between Blackbaud, Inc. and Michael P. 
Gianoni
Offer Letter Agreement between Blackbaud, Inc. 
and Brian E. Boruff

Employee Agreement between Blackbaud, Inc. 
and Brian E. Boruff

Lease Agreement dated May 16, 2016 between 
Blackbaud, Inc. and HPBB1, LLC

Blackbaud, Inc. 2016 Equity and Incentive 
Compensation Plan

Form of Retention Agreement dated April 19, 
2016 between Blackbaud, Inc. and Brian E. 
Boruff

First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as 
of August 22, 2016, between HPBB1, LLC and 
Blackbaud, Inc.

Filed In

Registrant’s
Form
10-K

Dated
2/29/2012

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit
Number
10.55

S-1/A

3/19/2010

10.1

8-K

8-K

S-1

8-K

8-K

2/28/2011

2/28/2011

1/22/2010

6/26/2012

6/26/2012

10-K

2/27/2013

10.1

10.2

10.2

10.59

10.60

10.65

8-K

3/28/2013

10.66

8-K

10/25/2013

10-K

2/26/2014

10.70

10.71

10-K

2/26/2014

10.72

10-K

2/24/2016

10.81

10-Q

10-Q

10-Q

5/4/2016

5/4/2016

8/4/2016

10.82

10.83

10.84

DEF 14A

4/26/2016 Appendix C

10-Q

11/10/2008

10.37

10-Q

11/4/2016

10.87

106

2017 Form 10-K

 
 
 
Blackbaud, Inc.

Exhibit
Number  
10.88 †

10.89 †

10.90

10.91

10.92

10.93

10.94

21.1

23.1

31.1   

31.2   

Description of Document

Form of Employment Agreement between 
Blackbaud, Inc. and each of John J. Mistretta and 
Jon W. Olson

Form of Retention Agreement between 
Blackbaud, Inc. and each of John. J. Mistretta 
and Jon W. Olson

Credit Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2017, by 
and among Blackbaud, Inc. and certain of its 
subsidiaries, as Borrowers, the lenders referred 
to therein, Bank of America, N.A., as 
Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and 
Issuing Lender, PNC Bank, National Association, 
as Syndication Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, 
National Association and Regions Bank, as Co-
Documentation Agents, with Merrill Lynch, 
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, PNC 
Capital Markets LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC 
and Regions Capital Markets, a division of 
Regions Bank, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint 
Bookrunners.

Pledge Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2017, by 
Blackbaud, Inc. in favor of Bank of America, 
N.A., as administrative agent, for the ratable 
benefit of itself and the secured parties referred 
to therein.

Form of Retention Agreement dated as of 
August 1, 2017 between Blackbaud, Inc. and 
each of Anthony W. Boor, Kevin W. Mooney, 
Brian E. Boruff and Jon W. Olson.

Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated 
as of May 18, 2017, between HPBB1, LLC and 
Blackbaud, Inc.

Third Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as 
of December 11, 2017, between HPBB1, LLC 
and Blackbaud, Inc.

Subsidiaries of Blackbaud, Inc.

Consent of Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer 
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer 
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002

32.1

  Certification by the Chief Executive Officer 

pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant 
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002

32.2

  Certification by the Chief Financial Officer 

pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant 
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002

Filed In

Registrant’s
Form
10-K

Dated
2/27/2013

Filed
Herewith

Exhibit
Number
10.65

10-Q

11/10/2008

10.37

8-K

6/5/2017

10.90

8-K

6/5/2017

10.91

10-Q

8/4/2017

10.92

10-K

2/20/2018

10.93

10-K

2/20/2018

10.94

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2017 Form 10-K

107

 
 
 
Blackbaud, Inc.

Exhibit 
Number
101.INS ****  XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH ****  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL ****  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

Description of Document

Document

101.DEF ****  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

Document

101.LAB ****  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

Document

101.PRE ****  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

Document

Registrant’s
Form

Filed In

Dated

Exhibit
Number

Filed
Herewith
X

X

X

X

X

X

*

**

***

The registrant has applied for an extension of the confidential treatment it was previously granted with respect
to portions of this exhibit. Those portions have been omitted from the exhibit and filed separately with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Kintera, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan, as amended, and form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder
(“Kintera 2000 Plan Documents”) and the Kintera, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, as
amended, and form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder (“Kintera 2003 Plan Documents”) were filed by
Kintera in its Form 10-K/A on March 26, 2008 as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3, respectively. We assumed the Kintera
2000 Plan Documents and Kintera 2003 Plan Documents when we acquired Kintera in July 2008. We filed the
Kintera 2000 Plan Documents and Kintera 2003 Plan Documents by incorporation by reference as exhibits
10.37 and 10.38, respectively, in our Form S-8 on August 4, 2008.

The Convio, Inc. 2009 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and forms of stock option
agreements thereunder (“Convio 2009 Original Plan Documents”) and the Convio, Inc. 1999 Stock Option/
Stock Issuance Plan, as amended, and forms of stock option agreements thereunder (“Convio 1999 Plan
Documents”) were filed by Convio in its Forms S-1/A and S-1, filed March 19, 2010 and January 25, 2010 as
exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively. The Convio, Inc. Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Notice (Double
Trigger) and Convio, Inc. Form of Restricted Stock Unit Notice (Double Trigger) and Agreement were filed by
Convio in its Form 8-K on February 28, 2011 as exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 (together with the Convio 2009 Original
Plan Documents, the “Convio 2009 Plan Documents”). We assumed the Convio 2009 Plan Documents and
Convio 1999 Plan Documents when we acquired Convio in May 2012. We filed the Convio 2009 Plan
Documents and Convio 1999 Plan Documents by incorporation by reference as exhibits 10.59, 10.60, 10.61
and 10.62 in our Form S-8 on May 7, 2012.

**** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on

Form 10-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or
otherwise subject to liability of that Section, and shall not be part of any registration statement or other
document filed under the Securities Act of the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific
reference in such filing.

†

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.

108

2017 Form 10-K

 
 
Blackbaud, Inc.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused 
this Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Signed: February 20, 2018

Blackbaud, Inc.

/S/    MICHAEL P. GIANONI 

President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Form 10-K has been signed below by the 
following persons on behalf of the Registrant and on the dates indicated.

/S/    MICHAEL P. GIANONI 

          Michael P. Gianoni

President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: February 20, 2018

/S/    ANTHONY W. BOOR           
          Anthony W. Boor

Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)

Date: February 20, 2018

/S/    ANDREW M. LEITCH           
          Andrew M. Leitch

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Date: February 20, 2018

/S/    TIMOTHY CHOU        

Director

Date: February 20, 2018

          Timothy Chou

/S/    GEORGE H. ELLIS        

Director

Date: February 20, 2018

          George H. Ellis

/S/    THOMAS R. ERTEL        

Director

          Thomas R. Ertel

Date: February 20, 2018

/S/    SARAH E. NASH        

Director

Date: February 20, 2018

          Sarah E. Nash

/S/    JOYCE M. NELSON     

Director

         Joyce M. Nelson

Date: February 20, 2018

/S/    PETER J. KIGHT

         Peter J. Kight

Director

Date: February 20, 2018

2017 Form 10-K

109

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
SUBSIDIARIES OF BLACKBAUD, INC. 
As of February 20, 2018 

Blackbaud, Inc.

Subsidiaries

AcademicWorks, LLC

Blackbaud Asia, Ltd.

Blackbaud Canada, Inc.

Blackbaud Europe Ltd.

Blackbaud Global Ltd.

Blackbaud Latin America, S.R.L.

Blackbaud Pacific Pty. Ltd.

Convio, LLC

Everyday Hero Ltd.

Everyday Hero Pty. Ltd.

Giving.com Limited

Giving Employees' Trustees Limited

Giving Limited

Good + Geek, LLC

JG US Inc.

JustGiving Australia Pty. Ltd.

MicroEdge, LLC

MyCharity, Ltd.

NPO Account Services, LLC

Seraphim Software, LLC

Smart, LLC

VFF I AIV I Corp.

Yimby Limited

EXHIBIT 21.1 

Organized Under
Laws of:

Delaware

Texas

Hong Kong

Canada

Scotland

England and Wales

Costa Rica

Australia

Delaware

England and Wales

Australia

England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales

Delaware

Delaware

Australia

New York

Ireland

Delaware

Pennsylvania

Delaware

Delaware

England and Wales

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 

(No. 333-120690, No. 333-138448, No. 333-152749, No. 333-160423, No. 333-181210, No. 333-182407 

and No. 333-212057) of Blackbaud, Inc., of our report dated February 20, 2018, relating to the financial 

statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/S/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
February 20, 2018

Blackbaud, Inc.

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael P. Gianoni, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Blackbaud, Inc.;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 

material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such 
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as 
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls 

and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial 
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the 
period in which this report is being prepared;

b.  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles;

c.  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this 

report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of 
the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an 
annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal 

control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 

financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and

b.  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant 

role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 20, 2018

By:

  /s/ Michael P. Gianoni
Michael P. Gianoni
  President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 
Blackbaud, Inc.

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Anthony W. Boor, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Blackbaud, Inc.;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 

material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such 
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as 
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls 

and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial 
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the 
period in which this report is being prepared;

b.  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles;

c.  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this 

report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of 
the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an 
annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal 

control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 

financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and

b.  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant 

role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 20, 2018

By:

  /s/ Anthony W. Boor
Anthony W. Boor
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
Blackbaud, Inc.

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Blackbaud, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended 
December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the “Report”), 
I, Michael P. Gianoni, President and Chief Executive Officer, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted 
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1.  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and

2.  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and 

results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 20, 2018

By:

  /s/ Michael P. Gianoni       
Michael P. Gianoni
  President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 
Blackbaud, Inc.

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Blackbaud, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended 
December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the “Report”), 
I, Anthony W. Boor, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as 
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1.  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and

2.  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and 

results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 20, 2018

By:

  /s/ Anthony W. Boor        
Anthony W. Boor
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
Blackbaud, Inc.
2000 Daniel Island Drive
Charleston, South Carolina 29492
Phone: 800-443-9441
Fax: 843-216-6100
www.blackbaud.com