How Blackbaud Balances AI Innovation with Environmental Responsibility

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done across every sector, including social impact. But alongside its potential, there’s a reality we can’t ignore: AI, like all technology, has an environmental impact. 

Running AI systems requires energy, water, and infrastructure. Those inputs are real. 

At Blackbaud, we believe AI should not be adopted simply because it’s possible. It should be used when it delivers meaningful value for the people and communities our customers serve and when that value justifies the resources it consumes. 

In other words, AI must earn its place in social impact work. 

That belief shapes how we approach responsible AI, including one of our core commitments: sustainability and stewardship. 

A Commitment to Sustainability and Stewardship 

We view AI as a long-lived capability that requires continuous oversight, measurement, and thoughtful decision-making. 

Building responsibly for the long term means accounting for both sides of the equation: the value AI delivers and its environmental impact.  

As models evolve, infrastructure improves, and measurement becomes more sophisticated, our approach will evolve as well. Our goal is not to have all the answers today. It’s to ensure we’re asking the right questions and making informed decisions every step of the way. 

Ultimately, stewardship means aligning innovation with the long-term health of the social impact sector. That requires discipline, transparency, and a willingness to adapt. 

Designing AI solutions that are proportionate to their value 

Our approach starts well before we select or deploy a model. It begins with defining the problem and determining whether AI is the right tool to solve it. 

A few guiding principles shape that work: 

Start with outcomes, not technology. We begin with clearly defined problems and the outcomes that matter for organizations and the people they serve. Only then do we evaluate whether AI adds meaningful value.  

Default to the simplest effective approach. Not every challenge requires a large  model. Where simpler, more efficient methods can achieve the same result, we prioritize them.  

Reduce unnecessary computation. We’re deliberate about minimizing model calls and avoiding repeated or wasteful use of AI systems. 

Design for efficiency without compromising outcomes. When we can deliver the same value with fewer resources, we consider that part of responsible design. 

This is where our philosophy becomes practical, so responsible AI innovation can show up in everyday product and design decisions, and those decisions can directly influence environmental impact. 

Making intentional infrastructure choices 

We also recognize that our environmental impact is shaped by the broader ecosystem we operate within, especially our cloud infrastructure. 

That’s why we partner with leading cloud providers that have made significant commitments to renewable energy and carbon reduction.  

These partners are investing in: 

• More efficient data center design and AI-optimized workload management 

• Custom hardware designed to reduce energy intensity 

• Clean energy sources, including wind, solar, nuclear, and geothermal 

• Advanced cooling systems to reduce freshwater usage and improve water efficiency 

We engage with our cloud providers regularly to discuss our environmental footprint, understand their sustainability progress, and identify opportunities to further reduce our shared impact. 

Investing in carbon reduction and offset programs 

We also continue to invest in programs that address emissions more broadly. 

Blackbaud has achieved carbon neutrality for five consecutive years, including an 88% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions since 2019.  

Our approach includes: 

• Increasing the use of on-site solar energy 

• Supporting renewable energy generation through the purchase of certified Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) 

• Advancing carbon offset and reforestation projects 

These investments are part of a broader transition away from traditional energy sources and toward renewable alternatives.  

At the same time, we’re clear-eyed about the role offsets play. They’re one part of the solution. Our long-term focus remains on reducing our overall environmental footprint wherever possible. 

Looking to the future with AI as a long-lived capability 

AI will continue to evolve quickly. Model efficiency will improve. Infrastructure will change. Measurement practices will become more precise. 

Our responsibility is to evolve with it. 

We’re committed to ongoing monitoring, iteration, and clear accountability as expectations and risks shift.  

And just as importantly, we’re committed to transparency, and will continue to share the steps we’re taking.  

Because AI use in the social impact sector should earn trust, deliver meaningful value, and respect the resources we all depend on.  

Learn more about how Blackbaud approaches responsible AI, including the principles, governance, and ongoing practices that help guide our work.