Microsoft and Blackbaud launch Integrated Cloud Initiative, focusing on nonprofits

Microsoft and Blackbaud, a software vendor focused on the non-profit sector, announced a combined investment in the Integrated Cloud Initiative for Nonprofits. The new initiative includes the Nonprofit Resource Management (NRM) resource management suite and a focus on the nonprofit mission lifecycle.

In 2017, Microsoft and Blackbaud announced an expanded partnership for nonprofits. At the time, the two vendors retooled with closer integration between products and an effort to make research and best practices more available to nonprofits. With the new NRM offering, Blackbaud nonprofit solutions will be built on Dynamics 365 and Azure, leveraging the Common Data Model for Nonprofits (which has not yet been released, per guidance shared at Ignite 2018) and Blackbaud Intelligence for Good.

The suite includes an agency portal to support beneficiary organizations requesting materials and inventory management tools for tracking material and expiration dates. To automate material handling, distribution workflows are included along with valuation capabilities for auditing. Additionally, it integrates with Blackbaud relationship management tools and also includes outcome measurement options.

NRM will be sold through the partner sales channels of both companies based on requirements tasks ranging from material management to human capital management and financial management.

"For nonprofits, particularly in the relief and aid space, the ability to effectively source, track, distribute and measure the impact of physical goods is a critical part of delivering their mission," said Jay Odell, president and general manager of Blackbaud Nonprofit Solutions. "Whether it's urgently needed medical supplies, disaster response equipment, or essential needs like food and clothing, every dollar saved, and every supply more efficiently ...