Registration Guide for Chapters and Affiliates

You can register to administer your chapter or affiliate by selecting Claim My Nonprofit in NPOconnect or Start a new administrator request in My Nonprofits. After submitting your application, our team will review your request. Review is typically completed within 24 business hours. You'll be notified by email if approved. Alternatively, you can reach out to an existing active Administrator for your organization to add you as a user.

Tip: This guide applies to chapters and affiliates. If your registration application is approved, you'll only be granted access to the local chapter you applied to - not the parent organization.

Prepare your documents and materials

Before registering, it's recommended to have the following documents on hand as we'll ask for these during the application process. You'll also need to know your organization's name as it's registered with the IRS and your government-issued tax ID, such as Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Registration ID.

Required documentation What is it? Where can I get this document?
Determination letter Document from the IRS that details your organization's tax-exempt status. This is also called a 501(c)(3) determination letter or exemption letter. Nonprofit organizations in the United States should have received this document from the IRS upon registering your nonprofit. If you don't have it, see the IRS website to learn how to download or request a copy.
Role verification document (nonprofit letter, offer letter, directory, etc.) Document that shows your role, position, or department within your organization.

You can use any of the following documents to verify your role. Only one is required.

  • Nonprofit Letter - This is a letter written and signed by your employer and one other person (i.e., authorized agent). The letter must be on official letterhead. Volunteers or smaller nonprofits can use this Sample Role Verification Letter.

  • Offer Letter - This is a letter received prior to employment.

  • Employee Badge

  • Copy of Directory - Organization name must be shown on the document.

  • Copy of a 990 - You must be shown as a member of the organization.

  • Paycheck Stub

  • Screenshot of staff list from the organization's website

See Documents Accepted for Role Verification and Proof of Identity for formatting requirements.

Tip: In order to be approved as an Administrator, your role verification documentation must show that you're in a financial role, on the management team, or an office leadership team member. If not, you may be added as a Manager with limited permissions instead.

Create an account in NPOconnect or sign in to your existing account

To begin, you must have an NPOconnect account with the email address associated with your organization. If you don't already have one, see Create an NPOconnect Account for instructions. Otherwise, sign in to your existing NPOconnect account.

Complete your Administrator Request application

  1. Navigate to https://nonprofit.yourcause.com. Sign in to NPOconnect by entering your email and then log in with your Blackbaud ID (BBID) account.

  2. After signing in, click on Claim My Nonprofit on your Home page.

    Tip: If you're already registered as an Administrator or Manager for another organization, go to My Nonprofits and then select Start a new administrator request. For more information, see Administer Multiple Organizations .

  3. You'll be taken to the Administrator Request application. Complete the steps below.

    1. In Step 1: Country, select the country where your organization is located, such as United States, Puerto Rico, etc.

    2. Select the option that best represents your organization:

      • Nonprofit, Private School, or Religious Organization - You represent a nonprofit organization, private school, Parent Teacher Association (PTA), or religious organization such as a church, synagogue, or mosque.

      • Native American Tribe - You represent a Native American tribe. You'll need to know the name of the tribe as recorded with the US Bureau of Indian Affairs.

      Tip: If you represent a public school or school district, see the Registration Guide for Public Schools and School Districts instead. If your organization is located outside of the United States, see Registration Guide for Non-US Organizations .

      Select your country.

    3. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 2: Organization Type, select My organization is a chapter or affiliate under a larger organization.

      Select chapter or affiliate as your organization type.

    2. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 3: Search for My Parent Organization, search for your parent organization using its name or government-issued tax ID (EIN, Registration ID, etc.).

      Tip: If you can't find your organization, select I can't find my parent organization... to contact our team.

      Search for your parent organization.

    2. Select your organization from the results that appear.

    3. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 4: Search for My Organization, select This is my chapter next to your chapter.

      Tip: Can't find your chapter? Select your state to narrow the search results. If you still don't see it, you can then select I can't find my organization to add your chapter.

      Select your chapter.

    2. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 5: Contact Information, enter the following details.

      • Position or job title (Optional) - This helps verify your role when our team reviews your documentation.

      • Work email address (Optional) - This is the email associated with your organization.

      • Phone number - Our team may contact you at this number if they have a question during review.

        Tip: This is required. You can't proceed to the next step until you enter this information.

      • Website address (Optional) - This is the primary website for your organization. We will check this against your submitted information during the review process.

      Enter your contact information, including phone number.

    2. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 6: Verify Your Identity, upload the two documents listed below. These will be used to confirm both your organization's tax-exempt status and your relationship with the organization.

      Required documentation What is it? Where can I get this document?
      Determination letter Document from the IRS that details your organization's tax-exempt status. This is also called a 501(c)(3) determination letter or exemption letter. Nonprofit organizations in the United States should have received this document from the IRS upon registering your nonprofit. If you do not have it, see the IRS website to learn how to download or request a copy.
      Role verification document (nonprofit letter, offer letter, directory, etc.) Document that shows your role, position, or department within your organization.

      You can use any of the following documents to verify your role. Only one is required.

      • Nonprofit Letter - This is a letter written and signed by your employer and one other person (i.e., authorized agent). The letter must be on official letterhead. Volunteers or smaller nonprofits can use this Sample Role Verification Letter.

      • Offer Letter - This is a letter received prior to employment.

      • Employee Badge

      • Copy of Directory - Organization name must be shown on the document.

      • Copy of a 990 - You must be shown as a member of the organization.

      • Paycheck Stub

      • Screenshot of staff list from the organization's website

      See Documents Accepted for Role Verification and Proof of Identity for formatting requirements.

      Tip: In order to be approved as an Administrator, your role verification documentation must show that you're in a financial role, on the management team, or an office leadership team member. If not, you may be added as a Manager with limited permissions instead.

     

  4. After completing your application, select Submit registration. Our team will review your request and notify you by email once it's been approved.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

A complete list can be found in Documents Accepted for Role Verification and Proof of Identity.

 

It generally takes 24 business hours to review and approve these requests. You'll receive an email once complete.