New York, NY, Dec. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MicroEdge ® , the leading provider of solutions to the giving community worldwide, recently acquired by Blackbaud Inc. (NASDAQ: BLKB ), today announced the release of GIFTS Online ® 5.2, a significant update to the leading cloud-based grants management system. With this update, grantmaking organizations gain capacity for more collaborative grantee relationships, an enhanced ability to track and report on their giving, the introduction of new tools for managing scholarships and more.
GIFTS Online is MicroEdge's fully hosted, cloud-based grants management system that helps corporate, private, family and other foundations of all types and sizes maximize the impact and efficiency of their grantmaking, with powerful tools for reporting, tracking, collaborating and analyzing the effectiveness of their giving.
The release of GIFTS Online 5.2 streamlines and improves philanthropic organizations' ability to effectively collaborate with grantees. System integration with Simplify--a collaborative project between GuideStar and the Technology Affinity Group (TAG)--eliminates the repetitive elements of applying for grants by allowing nonprofits to store standard organizational information in the Guidestar Exchange database and seamlessly pull that information into the grant application forms of GIFTS Online clients. This, along with other enhancements to GIFTS Online's grantee portal--such as the ability for applicants to reopen and revise already submitted applications--makes it easier than ever for philanthropic organizations to coordinate their entire grant application and grantee relationship management processes online.
Additionally, this release brings a number of new tracking and reporting features that enable foundations to maintain better insight into their operations at all times. For example, the introduction of auditing capabilities allows users to maintain meticulously detailed records of all data edits made and actions taken by every user in the system. Plus, they can easily report on this information, eliminating time spent searching through records when an historical action must be verified.
New scholarship functionality allows GIFTS Online users--for the first time--to accept scholarship applications and award scholarships directly from within the system. Bringing this process online and into a single system saves foundations and student applicants alike significant time in not having to manage a paper-based process, while also allowing foundations to more easily identify eligible applicants with GIFTS Online's built in application eligibility quizzes.
"GIFTS Online represents the future of grantmaking, given the growing trend toward cloud-based software solutions," said Kristin Nimsger, former CEO of MicroEdge, now Vice President and General Manager of Blackbaud's Foundation and Corporate Markets Group. "And this release continues the ongoing evolution of that system. By enabling our clients to more easily nurture grantee relationships and keep better records of their grantmaking, we're removing administrative burden so they can spend more time focused on improving the outcomes of their grants. Plus, with Simplify integration, we're reinforcing our commitment to be at the forefront of collaborative efforts in the grantmaking community, something we continue to be very focused on."
For More Information
To learn more about GIFTS Online, visit the MicroEdge website or contact MicroEdge at info@microedge.com or 800.899.0890.
About MicroEdge
Established in 1985, MicroEdge, LLC is the leading provider of software and services to the giving community worldwide. MicroEdge solutions deliver a powerful, integrated and open framework for efficient and effective charitable giving. The company is committed to providing the best technology toolset for foundations, corporations, government agencies, donors, advisors and financial institutions. Together, these tools help organizations to work with one another to raise, invest, manage and award charitable currency. MicroEdge is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackbaud Inc., headquartered in New York City with regional offices throughout the U.S. and supports thousands of clients worldwide. To learn more about MicroEdge, visit www.microedge.com .
About Blackbaud
Serving the nonprofit, charitable giving and education communities for more than 30 years, Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB ) combines technology solutions and expertise to help organizations achieve their missions. Blackbaud works in over 60 countries to support more than 30,000 customers, including nonprofits, K12 private and higher education institutions, healthcare organizations, foundations and other charitable giving entities, and corporations. The company offers a full spectrum of cloud and on-premise solutions, and related services for organizations of all sizes, including nonprofit fundraising and relationship management , eMarketing , advocacy , accounting , payment and analytics , as well as grant management , corporate social responsibility , education and other solutions. Using Blackbaud technology, these organizations raise, invest, manage and award more than $100 billion each year. Recognized as a top company , Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com .
Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the introduction of new products and product features, as well as the expected benefits of the new products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.
MicroEdge and GIFTS Online are registered trademarks of MicroEdge, LLC. All other company names or marks mentioned herein are those of their respective owners.
Kathy Krais MicroEdge 646.237.3966
