Zoo crew gets new tool

Those folks at Blackbaud, Inc., software provider for non-profits, are a bunch of animals!

Well, maybe not, but they are doing their part to help the animals supported by the Zoological Society of San Diego, reportedly the world’s largest zoological organization with over 500,000 members. (Human members, that is.)

The Zoological Society of San Diego and Blackbaud Inc. announced just before the holiday that the two organizations are collaborating on a solution to strengthen the society’s fundraising efforts and to streamline its development operations. After considering over fifty software providers, the zoo crew will be going with The Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud’s fundraising management solution, to provide a single source of data for staff members and to streamline operational activities.

The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in 1916, has more than 250,000 member households, 130,000 child memberships,and raises almost $25 million in donations annually. Post-implemenation, the society has set a goal of raising $30 million in 2007, and the Zoological brain trust hopes that the fundraising program will soon garner $35 million to $40 million per annum.

The not-for-profit Zoological Society of San Diego is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats, engaging in conservation and research work around the globe. The Zoological Society manages the 100-acre San Diego Zoo, the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park and the center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species.

Blackbaud Inc. is a provider of software and related services designed specifically for nonprofit organizations. Blackbaud solutions include The Raiser’s Edge, The Financial Edge, The Education Edge, The Patron Edge, Blackbaud NetCommunity, The Information Edge, WealthPoint, and ProspectPoint. Blackbaud’s clientele of over 15,000 organizations includes the American Red Cross, Bowdoin College, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Detroit Zoological Society, Episcopal High School, Cancer Research UK, the Lincoln Center, and United Way of America. Founded in 1981, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, S.C., and has operations in Toronto, Ontario; Glasgow, Scotland; London, England; and Sydney, Australia.