June 17, 2014

Nonprofit Software Leader Blackbaud Acquires WhippleHill

Staff Report  /  Market Watch

Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB ), a leading provider of nonprofit software and services, announced the acquisition of WhippleHill Communications, Inc., a New Hampshire-based software company that exclusively serves K12 private schools through its innovative, cloud-based solutions.

"We're pleased to bring WhippleHill's expertise into the company," said Blackbaud President and CEO, Mike Gianoni. "By combining WhippleHill's innovative, cloud-based front-office solutions for parents, teachers and students with Blackbaud's preeminent back-office solutions and award-winning support, K12 private schools will have access–-like never before–-to a comprehensive suite of best-in-class offerings that are 'integrated by design' to help them manage the entire education lifecycle. Blackbaud remains committed to leadership in the K12 technology sector through innovation and unprecedented quality, customer experience and support. Today's announcement is an example of the investment we're making to bring even greater value–-both near and long-term–-to academic institutions around the world."

The WhippleHill organization will merge with Blackbaud's existing K12 education solutions group, forming an expanded team dedicated to K12 private schools. The new group will be led by former WhippleHill President and Founder, Travis Warren, who will report to Kevin Mooney, President, Blackbaud's General Market Business Unit.

"We're excited to join the Blackbaud organization," said Travis Warren, President and Founder of WhippleHill, now Vice President and General Manager of Blackbaud's K12 Private Schools Group. "Both companies share a passion for supporting and advancing the education sector, and this new structure allows us to collaborate in a way that will springboard innovation and offer K12 private schools an unrivaled solution set. In an industry where customers are frustrated by multi-vendor solutions with lackluster integration, K12 private schools will now have what they've been asking for–-access to a comprehensive set of solutions that meet their needs and work well together, under the leadership and support of a single technology company that is highly invested in their success."

The combination expands Blackbaud's addressable market and further positions the company as one of the largest cloud-based vendors in the world. Gianoni added: "For 30 years, the nonprofit community has counted on Blackbaud solutions to help them change the world. Today's announcement is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to product and service innovation at the leading edge of the nonprofit sector. Coupled with unparalleled customer service and a passion for seeing customers succeed, we're well-positioned to create new value for customers, increase profitability and grow competitive share."