Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB) has announced the launch of The Blackbaud Index of Online Giving, an online fundraising index that reports revenue trends of 1,787 nonprofit organizations representing $399 million in 12 month online revenue on a monthly basis. The Index is based on actual revenue statistics from nonprofit organizations using a variety of fundraising systems, both from Blackbaud and other vendors. It represents organizations of all sizes from the following sectors: arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; healthcare; human services; international affairs; and public and society benefit.

The Blackbaud Index of Online Giving shows that online revenue increased by 23 percent for the three months ending May 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009. Blackbaud also released additional data and analysis that reports on organizations by size. The Index found that three-month online revenue for small organizations (prior 12 month total revenue of < $1 million) increased 13.1 percent in May, while revenue at medium organizations (prior 12 month total revenue of $1 – 10 million) increased 21.3 percent, and revenue at large organizations (prior 12 month total revenue of > $10 million) increased 28 percent.

Nick Allen, chief strategy officer of Donordigital, provided guest analysis of the Index in a report that accompanied the release. “The 23 percent increase in online fundraising revenue revealed by the first edition of the new Blackbaud Index of Online Giving, along with additional new data showing that retention of online-acquired donors is almost as good as for mail-acquired donors, provides some good news in a generally dismal fundraising time,” said Allen.

According to Allen, the data shows that it is important for nonprofits to invest in building their online fundraising program because it can grow much faster than their mail/phone program, even in a poor economy. He commented that nonprofits’ online programs acquire higher value donors, attract younger donors, and bring in acquisition gifts that are typically twice as high or more than mail gifts, with a higher lifetime value too.

The Blackbaud Index of Charitable Giving, which was launched last month, was also updated today and reports 6.2 percent growth in overall fundraising for the three months ending May 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009. The Index found that three-month overall revenue for small organizations (prior 12 month total revenue of < $1 million) increased 8.6 percent in May, while revenue at medium organizations (prior 12 month total revenue of $1 – 10 million) remained relatively flat with a -.7 percent decrease, and revenue at large organizations (prior 12 month total revenue > $10 million) increased 8.7 percent.

For further data on both indices, monthly updates on the 15th, and to download the new Blackbaud Index of Online Giving report, click here.