Blackbaud Achieves Rule of 40 Target Ahead of Schedule
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy BLKB?
Source: seekingalpha
- Strong Financial Performance: In 2025, Blackbaud reported a 5.5% increase in organic revenue to $1.128 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $405 million and an EBITDA margin of 35.9%, indicating ongoing improvements in financial management and profitability.
- AI Innovation Driving Growth: The launch of generative and agentic AI capabilities, including the early adoption of the 'Development Agent' product, is expected to create new revenue streams with pricing in the tens of thousands per year, targeting cross-sell opportunities among existing customers.
- Stock Buybacks and Debt Management: The company repurchased approximately 8% of its common stock in 2025, reducing debt leverage from 2.9x to 2.5x, reflecting a proactive capital management strategy aimed at enhancing shareholder returns and financial flexibility.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Blackbaud anticipates organic revenue growth of 4% to 4.5% in 2026, with non-GAAP EPS projected to grow by 16% to 18%, and aims for a CAGR of over 13% in non-GAAP EPS by 2030, demonstrating confidence in long-term growth prospects.
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Analyst Views on BLKB
Wall Street analysts forecast BLKB stock price to rise
1 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 47.710
Low
70.00
Averages
70.00
High
70.00
Current: 47.710
Low
70.00
Averages
70.00
High
70.00
About BLKB
Blackbaud, Inc. provides software for powering social impact. It enhances its software with a range of payment processing, analytic and business intelligence services, consulting, training and professional services, and maintenance and technical support. Its specific solutions and services include fundraising and engagement, financial management, grant and award management, education solutions, social responsibility, employee giving and volunteering, payment services, data intelligence, customer success, customer support, professional and managed services and training. Its fundraising and engagement include Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT, Blackbaud CRM, Blackbaud eTapestry, Blackbaud Luminate Online, Blackbaud TeamRaiser, JustGiving from Blackbaud, Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management, Blackbaud Altru, and Blackbaud Guided Fundraising and Blackbaud Volunteer Network Fundraising. Its grant and award management solutions include Blackbaud Grantmaking and Blackbaud Award Management.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Blackbaud Achieves Rule of 40 Target Ahead of Schedule
- Strong Financial Performance: In 2025, Blackbaud reported a 5.5% increase in organic revenue to $1.128 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $405 million and an EBITDA margin of 35.9%, indicating ongoing improvements in financial management and profitability.
- AI Innovation Driving Growth: The launch of generative and agentic AI capabilities, including the early adoption of the 'Development Agent' product, is expected to create new revenue streams with pricing in the tens of thousands per year, targeting cross-sell opportunities among existing customers.
- Stock Buybacks and Debt Management: The company repurchased approximately 8% of its common stock in 2025, reducing debt leverage from 2.9x to 2.5x, reflecting a proactive capital management strategy aimed at enhancing shareholder returns and financial flexibility.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Blackbaud anticipates organic revenue growth of 4% to 4.5% in 2026, with non-GAAP EPS projected to grow by 16% to 18%, and aims for a CAGR of over 13% in non-GAAP EPS by 2030, demonstrating confidence in long-term growth prospects.
See More
Blackbaud Reports Strong FY25 Financial Results
- Strong Financial Performance: In FY25, Blackbaud reported revenue of $1.128 billion, a 2.3% decline from FY24, yet net income reached $36.9 million, reflecting the company's robust market position and boosting investor confidence.
- Operational Efficiency Achieved: The company successfully achieved the Rule of 40 in 2025, two years ahead of schedule, indicating effective execution in revenue growth and margin expansion, which is expected to attract further investor interest.
- Stock Repurchase Program: As of December 31, 2025, Blackbaud had approximately $961 million remaining under its stock repurchase program, with plans to repurchase 5% to 10% of outstanding shares in 2026, which will help enhance earnings per share and shareholder value.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Blackbaud expresses strong confidence in its financial guidance for FY26, anticipating continued healthy revenue growth and strong free cash flow, indicating a solid market positioning amid technological changes.
See More
Blackbaud Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Blackbaud reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.19, beating expectations by $0.05, which reflects the company's robust profitability and boosts investor confidence.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The Q4 revenue of $295.3 million, down 2.3% year-over-year, still surpassed expectations by $2.59 million, indicating the company's ability to maintain relatively stable revenue levels amid challenges.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Blackbaud's guidance for 2026 GAAP revenue is projected between $1.173 billion and $1.179 billion, slightly above the consensus of $1.17 billion, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
- Strong Cash Flow: The anticipated non-GAAP free cash flow for 2026 is between $280 million and $290 million, reflecting effective capital management that supports future investments and buyback plans.
See More
Blackbaud Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 10
- Earnings Announcement: Blackbaud (BLKB) is scheduled to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on February 10 before the market opens, with consensus EPS estimates at $1.14, reflecting a 5.6% year-over-year increase, indicating stable profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $292.71 million, representing a 3.1% year-over-year decline, which suggests challenges in revenue growth that could impact investor confidence.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Blackbaud has beaten EPS estimates 88% of the time, while revenue estimates have been met only 38% of the time, indicating higher reliability in earnings forecasts but greater volatility in revenue.
- Estimate Revisions: In the last three months, EPS estimates saw one upward revision with no downward adjustments, while revenue estimates experienced one upward and one downward revision, reflecting market divergence regarding Blackbaud's future performance.
See More
Blackbaud Wins Multiple AI Industry Awards for Social Impact
- Industry Recognition: Blackbaud has received the BIG Innovation Award from the Business Intelligence Group, the Outstanding Organization in Responsible AI from the Responsible AI Institute, and the Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year from the Stevie Awards, highlighting its leadership in AI and responsible technology development.
- Commitment to Social Impact: Through its Intelligence for Good® initiative, the company embeds powerful, responsible AI capabilities across its comprehensive product ecosystem, serving nonprofits, educational institutions, and socially responsible companies, thereby promoting sustainable social impact.
- Trust and Innovation: Carrie Cobb, Chief Data & AI Officer, emphasized that AI represents the biggest transformative force of our generation, and these awards validate the company's commitment to making AI accessible, ethical, and impactful in the social impact sector.
- Global Influence: Operating in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, and the U.K., Blackbaud supports users in over 100 countries, leveraging the world's largest philanthropic data set and the most powerful impact network to drive innovation in social responsibility and educational solutions.
See More
Blackbaud Partners with Generation to Enhance Workforce Development
- Multi-Year Donation: Blackbaud has announced a six-figure multi-year contribution to Generation, aimed at leveraging AI-driven curriculum innovation to assist millions facing employment barriers globally, significantly enhancing their economic mobility.
- AI Curriculum Development: This donation will support Generation in integrating AI tools into its curriculum development process, greatly accelerating the creation and delivery of high-quality training programs to better meet the needs of a rapidly evolving labor market.
- Expanded Social Impact: Blackbaud's donation not only reflects its commitment to social responsibility but also provides opportunities for employees to volunteer with Generation, further amplifying the social impact of this partnership.
- Global Employment Opportunities: Since its founding in 2015, Generation has helped over 145,000 graduates earn more than $2.2 billion in wages, and Blackbaud's support will enhance its capacity to create more sustainable employment opportunities worldwide.
See More
Blackbaud Achieves Rule of 40 Target Ahead of Schedule
- Strong Financial Performance: In 2025, Blackbaud reported a 5.5% increase in organic revenue to $1.128 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $405 million and an EBITDA margin of 35.9%, indicating ongoing improvements in financial management and profitability.
- AI Innovation Driving Growth: The launch of generative and agentic AI capabilities, including the early adoption of the 'Development Agent' product, is expected to create new revenue streams with pricing in the tens of thousands per year, targeting cross-sell opportunities among existing customers.
- Stock Buybacks and Debt Management: The company repurchased approximately 8% of its common stock in 2025, reducing debt leverage from 2.9x to 2.5x, reflecting a proactive capital management strategy aimed at enhancing shareholder returns and financial flexibility.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Blackbaud anticipates organic revenue growth of 4% to 4.5% in 2026, with non-GAAP EPS projected to grow by 16% to 18%, and aims for a CAGR of over 13% in non-GAAP EPS by 2030, demonstrating confidence in long-term growth prospects.
See More
Blackbaud Reports Strong FY25 Financial Results
- Strong Financial Performance: In FY25, Blackbaud reported revenue of $1.128 billion, a 2.3% decline from FY24, yet net income reached $36.9 million, reflecting the company's robust market position and boosting investor confidence.
- Operational Efficiency Achieved: The company successfully achieved the Rule of 40 in 2025, two years ahead of schedule, indicating effective execution in revenue growth and margin expansion, which is expected to attract further investor interest.
- Stock Repurchase Program: As of December 31, 2025, Blackbaud had approximately $961 million remaining under its stock repurchase program, with plans to repurchase 5% to 10% of outstanding shares in 2026, which will help enhance earnings per share and shareholder value.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Blackbaud expresses strong confidence in its financial guidance for FY26, anticipating continued healthy revenue growth and strong free cash flow, indicating a solid market positioning amid technological changes.
See More
Blackbaud Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Blackbaud reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.19, beating expectations by $0.05, which reflects the company's robust profitability and boosts investor confidence.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The Q4 revenue of $295.3 million, down 2.3% year-over-year, still surpassed expectations by $2.59 million, indicating the company's ability to maintain relatively stable revenue levels amid challenges.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Blackbaud's guidance for 2026 GAAP revenue is projected between $1.173 billion and $1.179 billion, slightly above the consensus of $1.17 billion, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
- Strong Cash Flow: The anticipated non-GAAP free cash flow for 2026 is between $280 million and $290 million, reflecting effective capital management that supports future investments and buyback plans.
See More
Blackbaud Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 10
- Earnings Announcement: Blackbaud (BLKB) is scheduled to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on February 10 before the market opens, with consensus EPS estimates at $1.14, reflecting a 5.6% year-over-year increase, indicating stable profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $292.71 million, representing a 3.1% year-over-year decline, which suggests challenges in revenue growth that could impact investor confidence.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Blackbaud has beaten EPS estimates 88% of the time, while revenue estimates have been met only 38% of the time, indicating higher reliability in earnings forecasts but greater volatility in revenue.
- Estimate Revisions: In the last three months, EPS estimates saw one upward revision with no downward adjustments, while revenue estimates experienced one upward and one downward revision, reflecting market divergence regarding Blackbaud's future performance.
See More
Blackbaud Wins Multiple AI Industry Awards for Social Impact
- Industry Recognition: Blackbaud has received the BIG Innovation Award from the Business Intelligence Group, the Outstanding Organization in Responsible AI from the Responsible AI Institute, and the Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year from the Stevie Awards, highlighting its leadership in AI and responsible technology development.
- Commitment to Social Impact: Through its Intelligence for Good® initiative, the company embeds powerful, responsible AI capabilities across its comprehensive product ecosystem, serving nonprofits, educational institutions, and socially responsible companies, thereby promoting sustainable social impact.
- Trust and Innovation: Carrie Cobb, Chief Data & AI Officer, emphasized that AI represents the biggest transformative force of our generation, and these awards validate the company's commitment to making AI accessible, ethical, and impactful in the social impact sector.
- Global Influence: Operating in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, and the U.K., Blackbaud supports users in over 100 countries, leveraging the world's largest philanthropic data set and the most powerful impact network to drive innovation in social responsibility and educational solutions.
See More
Blackbaud Partners with Generation to Enhance Workforce Development
- Multi-Year Donation: Blackbaud has announced a six-figure multi-year contribution to Generation, aimed at leveraging AI-driven curriculum innovation to assist millions facing employment barriers globally, significantly enhancing their economic mobility.
- AI Curriculum Development: This donation will support Generation in integrating AI tools into its curriculum development process, greatly accelerating the creation and delivery of high-quality training programs to better meet the needs of a rapidly evolving labor market.
- Expanded Social Impact: Blackbaud's donation not only reflects its commitment to social responsibility but also provides opportunities for employees to volunteer with Generation, further amplifying the social impact of this partnership.
- Global Employment Opportunities: Since its founding in 2015, Generation has helped over 145,000 graduates earn more than $2.2 billion in wages, and Blackbaud's support will enhance its capacity to create more sustainable employment opportunities worldwide.
See More
