Blackbaud capitalized on a sharp drop in taxes to hike spending and still achieve a 10.5-percent increase in earnings for the third quarter ended September 30. The company reported earnings of $10.4 million, up from $9.4 million in last year's corresponding period. Revenue for the most recently ended quarter was $144.7 million, an increase of 7.3 percent from $127.9 million a year ago. CEO Michael Gianoni was pleased with sales.