The Barker & Scott Consulting team is back from Blackbaud’s bbcon 2025, energized and inspired by the sessions, demos, conversations, and community connections. Our consultants Jen Claudy, Heather MacKenzie, and Sunshine Reinken Watson, bCRE-Pro each brought back valuable insights that reflect the evolving landscape of nonprofit technology and data-driven impact.

Team Barker & Scott’s top takeaways:

Raiser’s Edge NXT Web View Wins: Sunshine and Heather had the honor of co-presenting this session with fellow super users Amy Dana, bCRE-Pro, CFRE, and Patti Hommes, bCRE-Pro, bCRE-NXT, offering practical tips and engaging discussions with attendees.
SmartTABS by The SmartTHING Limited: Jen highlighted this free product that introduces a tabbed view of records in NXT, mirroring the tile order and allowing seamless switching between views.
Braindates with Blackbaud Developers: Heather appreciated the opportunity to connect directly with Blackbaud developers in focused conversations.
Community Connections: Sunshine reflected on the value of in-person connections—meeting new people, connecting with Barker & Scott clients, reconnecting with familiar faces, and giving back to the community.
AiryDocs: Jen explored this promising document management solution during a presentation in the Exhibit Hall and was impressed by its user-friendly native integration with Raiser’s Edge NXT and AI-powered features.
Responsible AI: Heather and Sunshine attended "The AI-Powered Database Manager: Practical & Ethical Applications," a standout session that emphasized both the practical uses of AI and the ethical considerations—including the environmental impact of increased server usage. Find the resources that speakers Elizabeth Johnson, bCRE-Pro and Hallie Guiseppe shared here in the Blackbaud Community.
Fundraising Automation: Heather was inspired by Prenger Solutions Group's "6 More Fundraising Automations That Will Blow Your Mind" session, which highlighted how automation can empower both data and fundraising teams to focus on clean data and donor engagement.
Support for Data Professionals: Heather noted how bbcon uniquely supports data professionals and provides a space to feel connected and refreshed.

Looking Ahead

bbcon continues to be a space where innovation meets mission, and where data professionals, fundraisers, and tech enthusiasts come together to learn, share, and grow. We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of it—and we’re already looking forward to bbcon 2026 in Columbus, Ohio!

Barker & Scott at bbcon 2025: Our Top Takeaways

Team Barker & Scott’s top takeaways:

Looking Ahead

📸 Team Barker & Scott’s bbcon 2025 scrapbook 📸