Registration Guide for Stand-Alone Nonprofits and National Offices

You can register to administer your organization 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 Administrator for your organization to add you as a user.

Tip: This guide applies to stand-alone nonprofits or national offices in the United States and its territories. If you represent a chapter or affiliate, see Registration Guide for Chapters and Affiliates.

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.

Note: To learn more about required information and accepted file formats, see Documents Accepted for Role Verification and Proof of Identity.

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 do not 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.

      In Step 1, select your country and I represent a Nonprofit, Private School, or Relgious Organization.

    3. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 2: Organization Type, select My organization is a stand-alone nonprofit or is a national office.

      Tip: If your organization is a chapter or affiliate, follow the steps in the Registration Guide for Chapters and Affiliatesinstead.

      In Step 2, select My organization is a stand-alone nonprofit or is a national office.

    2. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 3: Search for My Organization, search for your 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 organization... to add it. For more information, see What should I do if I can't find my organization? or How do I add my organization?.

      In the Search for My Organization step, search for your nonprofit by its name or tax ID.

    2. Select your organization from the results that appear.

      Tip: After selecting the organization, we'll list any active Administrators if they exist. Since Administrators can add new users to their organization, it's encouraged to contact one of them to expedite this process.

    3. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 4: 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'll check this against your submitted information during the review process.

      In the Contact Information step, enter your phone number, job title, etc.

    2. Select Next step to continue.

     

    1. In Step 5: 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 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.

      Note: To learn more about required information and accepted file formats, see Documents Accepted for Role Verification and Proof of Identity.

      In the final step, upload the requested documents that verify your role with your nonprofit.

     

  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.