Diocese of Toledo Named Finalist for Blackbaud Data Strategist Award
The Diocese of Toledo has been named a finalist in the 2026 Blackbaud Impact Awards, earning recognition in the Data Strategist category for its innovative use of technology to strengthen stewardship and advance the mission of the Church.
Presented annually by Blackbaud, a leading provider of software for nonprofits, educational institutions, and faith-based organizations, the Impact Awards recognize organizations that are using technology in creative and meaningful ways to achieve measurable results. The Diocese of Toledo was selected as one of only a handful of finalists in the Data Strategist category from organizations across the global Blackbaud community.
The Diocese was recognized for transforming the way it analyzes and shares fundraising data for the Annual Catholic Appeal. By integrating Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT with Microsoft Power BI and Omatic Cloud, the Diocese replaced a time-consuming, manual Excel reporting process with a dynamic suite of live dashboards that provides real-time insights into giving trends, parish participation, geographic data, and appeal performance.
That transformation has enabled diocesan leadership to make more informed, data-driven decisions while providing clearer visibility into the progress of the Annual Catholic Appeal. The improved reporting tools contributed to significant growth, including a 63 percent increase in average gift size and an increase in participation from 9.6 percent to 31 percent.
For Jillian Kramer, Database Administrator for Mission Advancement in the Diocese of Toledo, the recognition highlights the importance of work that often goes unseen but has a lasting impact on the Church's mission.
"This recognition means so much because it celebrates work that often happens behind the scenes. Data hygiene, record cleanup, and building reporting infrastructure aren't glamorous — but they are the foundation for how we operate and ultimately little ways to serve the Church. When we know who our donors are and how they give, we can be better stewards of their generosity. Having the right tools, data, and processes in place means we can honor that trust with our parish partners with real transparency and accountability. I'm incredibly proud that the Diocese of Toledo is being recognized for that commitment," Kramer said.
Now in its third year, the Blackbaud Impact Awards celebrate organizations that are driving meaningful change through innovation, leadership, and measurable impact. Finalists represent nonprofits, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, foundations, and other mission-driven organizations from around the world.
The Diocese of Toledo is honored to be recognized among this distinguished group of organizations and looks forward to celebrating alongside the other finalists as Blackbaud continues to highlight stories of innovation and impact throughout the year.
Posted August 5, 2026 at 11:23 am