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Blackbaud Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 9 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 4.2% year over year: GAAP total revenue was $281.1 million, up 4.2% from $269.9 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP organic revenue also rose 4.2%, with no divested-business revenue excluded. Source
  • Operating income rose to $51.4 million: GAAP income from operations was $51.4 million, against $19.7 million a year earlier. The prior-year figure included a $24.3 million lease-release charge. Source
  • Development Agent launched as first Agent for Good: Blackbaud launched the Development Agent, described as the first expert agent embedded in a dedicated social impact platform, to help personalize donor engagement. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 35.1%: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $98.7 million, up $6.6 million from $92.1 million. Stock-based compensation of $23.9 million is excluded from that measure. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $37.0 million: Non-GAAP free cash flow was $37.0 million, up $49.3 million from negative $12.3 million a year earlier, for a 13.2% margin. Source
  • Non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $1.14: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.14, up $0.19 from $0.95. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.67, against $0.09 a year earlier. Source
  • Recurring revenue was 98.3% of revenue: GAAP recurring revenue was $276.5 million, up 5.0%. Growth was 4.2% on a constant currency basis. Source

“We’re off to a strong start in 2026, and our execution continues to reinforce Blackbaud’s clear leadership in the social impact software market,”

Mike Gianoni, president, CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors, Blackbaud

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
GAAP revenue Sourcefull year 2026$1.173 billion to $1.179 billionKept
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$430 million to $438 millionKept
Non-GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$5.15 to $5.25Kept
Non-GAAP free cash flow Sourcefull year 2026$280 million to $290 millionKept
Non-GAAP effective tax rate Sourcefull year 2026approximately 24.5%Kept
Interest expense Sourcefull year 2026approximately $62 million to $66 millionKept
Diluted weighted average shares Sourcefull year 2026approximately 45.0 million to 46.0 millionKept
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026approximately $60 million to $70 million, including approximately $52 million to $62 million of capitalized software development costsKept
Share repurchases Source2026between 5.0% and 10.0% of outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2025Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The company reaffirmed its 2026 full-year guidance, with figures matching those given in February. Source
  • Ended: Non-GAAP adjusted free cash flow is no longer used from 2026; non-GAAP free cash flow continues as the measure.
  • New: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA now excludes GCC workforce transition costs and no longer lists employee severance or impairment and disposition charges. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 4.2% year over year: GAAP total revenue was $281.1 million, up 4.2% from $269.9 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP organic revenue also rose 4.2%, with no divested-business revenue excluded. Source
  • Currency added $2.2 million to revenue: Foreign currency translation added $2.2 million to organic revenue. Growth on a constant currency basis was 3.3%, compared with 4.2% as reported. Source
  • Operating income rose to $51.4 million: GAAP income from operations was $51.4 million, against $19.7 million a year earlier. The prior-year figure included a $24.3 million lease-release charge. Source

Products and AI launch

  • Development Agent launched as first Agent for Good: Blackbaud launched the Development Agent, described as the first expert agent embedded in a dedicated social impact platform, to help personalize donor engagement. Source
  • Availability limited to U.S. customers: Availability is limited to Raiser's Edge NXT customers in the U.S. at launch. International availability and other products are to follow. Source
  • More than 70 AI capabilities added: Management said more than 70 new AI capabilities are embedded across the product portfolio, and the Development Agent is the first of several planned agentic solutions. Source

“We continued our purposeful capital allocation strategy, repurchasing approximately 4.5% of our shares outstanding at the end of 2025 inclusive of net share settlement of employee stock compensation, while maintaining financial flexibility.”

Chad Anderson, executive vice president and CFO, Blackbaud

Costs and operating expenses

  • General and administrative expense fell: General and administrative expense was $30.3 million, down from $56.7 million. The prior-year acquisition and disposition costs of $25.1 million included a $24.3 million lease-release charge. Source
  • Sales and R&D spending increased: Sales, marketing and customer success expense rose to $47.3 million from $44.6 million. Research and development expense rose to $36.9 million from $33.6 million. Source
  • Cost of revenue held flat: Cost of revenue was $114.6 million, against $114.8 million a year earlier, while revenue rose. Source
  • GCC transition costs excluded from non-GAAP: Costs of moving certain roles to the Global Capability Center in Hyderabad, India, were $1.0 million and reduced GAAP operating income; they are excluded from non-GAAP results. Source

Margins and cash flow

  • Gross margin rose to 59.2%: GAAP gross margin was 59.2%, against 57.5% a year earlier. Non-GAAP gross margin was 62.7%, against 61.1%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 35.1%: Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $98.7 million, up $6.6 million from $92.1 million. Stock-based compensation of $23.9 million is excluded from that measure. Source
  • Operating cash flow increased to $51.5 million: GAAP net cash from operations was $51.5 million, up $50.1 million from $1.4 million, for an 18.3% operating cash flow margin. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $37.0 million: Non-GAAP free cash flow was $37.0 million, up $49.3 million from negative $12.3 million a year earlier, for a 13.2% margin. Source
  • Non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $1.14: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.14, up $0.19 from $0.95. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.67, against $0.09 a year earlier. Source

“The quarter reflects the strength of our financial model - driving growth, expanding margins, improving EPS, and generating strong free cash flow.”

Chad Anderson, executive vice president and CFO, Blackbaud

Demand and recurring base

  • Recurring revenue was 98.3% of revenue: GAAP recurring revenue was $276.5 million, up 5.0%. Growth was 4.2% on a constant currency basis. Source
  • Early demand for the new agent: Management described early demand for the Development Agent and customer interest as high, and said momentum is building. No bookings or order figures were given. Source
  • Customer outcomes showcased in quarter: The company highlighted customer outcomes that show the real-world impact of its solutions and its domain expertise. Source

Capital and share repurchases

  • Treasury stock purchases of $82.1 million: Treasury stock purchases, including excise tax, were $82.1 million, against $100.0 million a year earlier. Source
  • Remaining repurchase authorization $878 million: About $878 million remained under the repurchase program at March 31, 2026, down from $961 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Debt proceeds exceeded repayments: Debt proceeds were $139.9 million and debt payments were $75.0 million. Total debt was $1,186.3 million at March 31, 2026, against $1,109.7 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Cash and equivalents declined: Cash and cash equivalents were $34.1 million, down from $38.9 million at December 31, 2025. Restricted cash fell to $418.7 million from $720.1 million. Source

Strategy and industry events

  • Aspirational goals restated for 2026: Management said the quarter positions Blackbaud well for 2026 and beyond as it pursues its aspirational goals, citing confidence in its AI roadmap. Source
  • Sponsorship of AFP ICON conference: Blackbaud was presenting sponsor of the AFP ICON conference and showed how it is equipping fundraisers with responsible AI tools. Source
  • Corporate social impact summit held: The company convened corporate and social good leaders at its annual summit, previewing AI, faster donation processing and social impact reporting features for YourCause. Source

Workforce and leadership

  • Chief Data and AI Officer on responsible AI: Carrie Cobb described Blackbaud's approach to responsible AI, based on engagement, shared learning and cross-sector leadership. Source
  • CFO on disciplined operating plan execution: The CFO said the company began 2026 with disciplined execution against its operating plan while continuing to invest in innovation. Source
  • Named leaders in the release: The release names Mike Gianoni as president, CEO and vice chairman, and Chad Anderson as executive vice president and CFO. Source

Currency and geographic footprint

  • Currency added to revenue and EBITDA: Currency added $1.0 million to adjusted EBITDA; on a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA was $97.7 million. Source
  • Four currencies drove translation effects: The primary foreign currencies driving the currency effects are the Australian dollar, British pound, Canadian dollar and euro. Source
  • Footprint across six countries: Operations are in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India and the United Kingdom, supporting users in more than 100 countries. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 April 2026

  • Development Agent to reach more markets: Availability internationally and in other products is to follow for the Development Agent, per the release. Source
  • Bbcon conference set for autumn: Registration is open for bbcon in Columbus, Ohio, with global events following in London and Sydney. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Recurring revenue Source$276.5 million, up 5.0%; 98.3% of total revenue

Risks management discussed

  • External: Exchange-rate movements in four currencies affected reported revenue and adjusted EBITDA this quarter, so constant currency figures are also shown. Source
  • Operational: Moving certain roles to the Hyderabad center brought severance and transition costs of $1.0 million, which reduced GAAP operating income this quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said the Development Agent is the first of many planned new agentic AI solutions. Source
  • Not stated: Based on current plans, 2026 repurchases are expected to be 5.0% to 10.0% of shares outstanding at December 31, 2025. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.