Blackbaud announced today that it is buying Kintera for $1.12 per share outstanding. They anticipate the acquisition to complete by July 2.

This is particularly of interest to all Fundware users as Kintera bought Fundware from Intuit a few years ago. Kintera has been struggling since its founding, losing money every quarter. Last quarter, the NASDAQ exchange, where Kintera was publicly traded, announced that Kintera would be leaving the exchange as their share price had fallen below $1.00, the base for trading on NASDAQ.

Some observers have been questioning if Kintera could survive, stripped of cash and slowing sales. You may read the Blackbaud press announcement at this website:

http://www.blackbaud.com/default.aspx?pgpId=2531&PRID=260

RBP Methods will assist their clients to make the move from Fundware over the next 12 months.  We encourage organizations to begin the process to budget for the change and contact us for making a smooth transition to a new system.  We believe that Blackbaud might update Fundware for 2008 tax compliance at the end of this calendar year.  We believe, given Blackbaud's history, it will NOT support Fundware through the 2009 tax reporting year.  At best you have one more W-2 and 1099 cycle to work with Fundware, in our opinion.  Please plan accordingly.

Kent Arnold