Pros
It feels rewarding to make a positive contribution through work with the non-profit sector. Benefits package is decent, with a starting vacation allotment of three weeks per year. California employees can accrue vacation (other locations are "use it or lose it"). There is a good choice of health plans and a 401(k) match as well. Work-life balance was reasonable. The majority of the people I interacted with were friendly, competent, and hard-working. I had a great relationship with my team members. The environment in the San Diego office is relaxed. I had a lot of freedom in how I did my work and was able to enjoy some professional growth within my role.
Cons
The Blackbaud office in San Diego was formerly Kintera, which was acquired by Blackbaud in 2008. At the time of the acquisition Blackbaud execs expressed a desire to expand nationwide recruiting via the new West Coast presence, implying that the San Diego office would experience significant growth. Instead, the vast majority of open positions remain tied to the Charleston corporate office and there was little opportunity for upward (or even lateral) movement. Knowledge sharing and collaboration between different groups is very poor, leading to inefficiency and repeated work. I often felt that my group's accomplishments happened in spite of the involvement of the corporate organization. Requests for materials or project support would be backlogged for months, if not ignored entirely, due to overextended teams or outright cheapness. People complain of being chronically overloaded with competing priorities, and what should have been simple tasks turned into huge ordeals. Blackbaud pays standard lip service to valuing employees, recruiting and retaining the "best and brightest", etc. In reality, my read of their attitude is that they think they can squeeze employees indefinitely because we have nowhere better to go. Salaries were frozen despite consistently strong financials and investment in employee professional growth was nil.
