CEO Mike Gianoni noted his organization has operated in South Carolina for 30 years and termed the new project a "generational investment."

Construction will take place in two phases with the first phase of 172,000-sq. ft. expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018. The nonprofit software company expects to pay $102 million in rent over the 20 years from the completion of the first phase, with additional amounts possible for phase 2.

Blackbaud described the plan as providing an eco-friendly facility that "will offer unique community space to incubate emerging nonprofits and connect people with common interests."

The HQ will also host the company's community development and corporate citizenship activities, such as Camp Blackbaud, an employee-led STEM program that teaches elementary school children how to design and code._