Global Vetting Guide: Apply Through Blackbaud Giving Fund International

Vetting confirms that your organization is a registered charity in your region and is eligible to receive donations. If your organization is located outside of the United States in a country not supported by a Global Partner or Global Intermediary Partner, follow this guide to complete vetting through the Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) International. It explains what is required, how to register, and what happens after approval.

Who Should Follow This Guide

Non-U.S. nonprofits and charities (organizations based outside the United States) that want to join the YourCause platform and receive donations or apply for grants should follow this guide. The vetting process depends on your country:

  • Most countries: Complete an International Vetting Application via Blackbaud Verified Network. This application is an online form reviewed by BBGF International to determine your eligibility to receive funds.

  • Partner countries: If your organization is in Canada, Germany, or the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland or Scotland), you register with our local partner instead of completing the application in Blackbaud Verified Network.

  • Special-case countries: If your organization is in China, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Mexico, or Venezuela - or is newly established without a five-year financial history - you should wait to be contacted by Blackbaud. We arrange vetting for these organizations only when a corporate donor requests it due to unique local requirements.

Tip: If your country is shown in Partner countries or Special-case countries, see Get Your Nonprofit Vetted to identify the vetting guide for your location.

Before You Begin

Understand The Vetting Process

Before you begin vetting, it's helpful to know what's involved in the vetting process. This way you know what to expect at each stage, including what documents and verification are required to vet your organizations.

Vetting Process

This vetting process is completed in both the Blackbaud Verified Network and our vetting platform, YourCause GrantsConnect. It includes:

  1. Nonprofit admin registration: Register as a nonprofit administrator for your organization in the Blackbaud Verified Network

  2. Initiate vetting: Request the BBGF International vetting application in your Blackbaud Verified Network account

  3. Complete and submit your application: Complete and submit your application in our vetting platform, YourCause GrantsConnect

After approval, your organization is added to the Blackbaud Verified Network and appears to potential donors, employee giving programs, and grants across the YourCause platform as Eligible for Giving.

Tip: Your vetting application must be submitted by an executive or board member for your organization. If vetting is initiated by a member of your organization who is not in either of these roles, you can add them as additional applicants when completing the application.

Create Your Nonprofit Admin Account in Blackbaud Verified Network

You must be registered as a nonprofit administrator for your organization in the Blackbaud Verified Network. This grants you access to manage your organization's information in YourCause, including the profile shown to potential donors.

If you do not have an account, see the registration guide for your location to learn how to create your account, add or claim your organization and submit an admin request.

After submitting your request and required documentation, Blackbaud's Compliance will review it and follow up if additional information is needed. Review typically takes two business days, and you will be notified when approved.

Tip: Already have an account? Confirm that you're listed as an admin for your organization by signing into your account and opening My Nonprofits. If your organization is not shown in the list of organizations you've claimed, select Start a new administrator request in My Nonprofits to submit an admin request. For details, see Administer Multiple Organizations.

Note: You also need a YourCause GrantsConnect account to complete your vetting application. You'll be prompted to create one when you request your application in your Blackbaud Verified Network account - you do not need to create one ahead of time.

Review Required Vetting Documents

Begin preparing your organization's information (such as Registration ID or equivalent tax ID contact details) and supporting documents (such as proof of legal registration and governing documents). Documents must be in English (or translated into English).

Blackbaud cannot translate documents on behalf of nonprofits. If your organization needs translation assistance, you may choose to use a professional translation service, volunteer translator, or translation technology provider at your own discretion.

For a complete list of documents, see Required Documentation for Blackbaud Giving Fund International Vetting.

Tip: In addition to the required documentation listed, some regions require specific legal documents (statutory laws) be submitted. For details, see the Global Vetting Resource Center.

Initiate Vetting In Your Blackbaud Verified Network Account

  1. Request the International Nonprofit Vetting Application:

    • Sign in to your Blackbaud Verified Network account at nonprofit.yourcause.com with your Blackbaud ID (BBID).

    • Open Administration and then select the Vetting tile.

    • In Vetting, the steps for completing your application appear. The first step - Start Application - is where you request your invitation to complete the vetting application. Select Invite me now to continue.

      Tip: An invitation to start your application in our vetting platform, YourCause GrantsConnect, is emailed to you. The invitation email expires after 24 hours. If it expires, you must request the invitation again.

  2. Accept your invitation to GrantsConnect:

    • In your inbox, find the email sent from Blackbaud Compliance that invites you to submit your vetting application.

    • Open the email, review the instructions, and select Go to Invitation to accept.

  3. Set up your GrantsConnect account:

    1. Accepting the invitation automatically opens your application in GrantsConnect.

      • New account: If you do not have a GrantsConnect account, follow the steps on the screen to create one with the same Blackbaud ID login used for your Blackbaud Verified Network account.

      • Existing account: If you already have a GrantsConnect account, you are signed in to your existing account and taken directly to the vetting application.

Complete And Submit Your Application

  1. Open your vetting application:

    • When opening GrantsConnect from your email, you should be taken directly to your application. If not, select My Applications and select the application card from the list that appears to open it.

  2. Invite additional applicants to apply (Optional):

    • In your application, select Manage applicants to invite others from your organization to complete it. For instructions, see Add Applicants and Collaborators (GrantsConnect).

      Note: This application must be completed by an executive or board member.

  3. Complete your application:

    • In GrantsConnect, complete your application. All pages (tabs) in the application must be completed, including all required fields. Examples of the information needed includes:

      Tip: Some documentation requires you provide a copy of the original document in the original language and a copy translated into English. Review the instructions carefully to ensure you provide the correct format.

  4. Submit your application:

    • After all sections are completed and documents attached, submit your application in GrantsConnect for review.

After Your Application Is Submitted

After submitting your application in GrantsConnect, Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) International and Blackbaud's Compliance team review it and follow up if additional information or revision requests are needed. Review typically takes two to four weeks after you submit the complete application.

Tip: You can track the status in your Blackbaud Verified Network account (Administration, then Vetting) or GrantsConnect (My Applications).

Your Application Is Approved

When your application updates to Approved, vetting it complete!

Your organization is marked as Eligible for Giving and is now visible in YourCause's global database for donors and corporate giving programs. Potential donors can begin donating to your organization in CSRconnect, and you can begin applying for grants in GrantsConnect.

Next Steps

Update Your Blackbaud Verified Network Account

After vetting is complete, return to your Blackbaud Verified Network account to configure your settings and profile - and get ready for potential donors!

Nonprofit admins can complete these tasks:

  • Complete YourCause compliance affirmations and select affiliations - Complete any outstanding compliance statements and select affiliations. Partner companies use this information when setting up corporate giving programs. For details, see Complete Compliance Agreements and Affiliations .

  • Update your organization profile - Update the organization profile to improve donor visibility. Add a mission description and logo. For details, see Manage Your Nonprofit Profile.

Stay Aware Of Renewal Requirements

Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) International vetting approvals are typically valid for two years, after which you'll need to submit a renewal application. Active nonprofit admins will be notified when it's time to renew your vetting.

FAQ

What is the Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) International?

The Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) is a United States–based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports charitable giving by securely receiving donations and distributing grants to eligible nonprofit organizations.

During the vetting process, the BBGF collaborates with Blackbaud's Compliance team to review your organization's information and documents to ensure you meet the legal and regulatory requirements for charitable giving eligibility. This review is known as Equivalency Determination (ED) vetting, confirming that your nonprofit operates similarly to a U.S. public charity.

When does Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) International vetting apply?

BBGF International vetting typically applies to nonprofit organizations that:

  • Are based outside of the United States

  • Are not located in a country supported by a local Global Partner or Global Intermediary Partner

  • Meet eligibility requirements such as minimum financial history (at least five years of financial history)

Why is Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) International vetting required?

Nonprofit regulations vary by country, and not all regions have a local vetting partner. In these cases, Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) International completes an evaluation process known as Equivalency Determination (ED) vetting.

ED vetting helps confirm that a nonprofit organization outside of the United States operates in a manner consistent with U.S. charitable standards. This review is required under U.S. law and allows BBGF to exercise appropriate oversight and control over charitable funds.

What does each vetting status mean?

You can view the status in your Blackbaud Verified Network account in Administration, Vetting:

  • Awaiting Review / In Progress: Your application is in the queue or currently being evaluated.

  • On Hold: More information is needed. Check your email for instructions on what to add or correct, then update your application and resubmit.

  • Approved: You are vetted! Your organization is marked as Eligible for Giving and is now visible in YourCause's global database for donors and corporate giving programs.

  • Declined: We could not approve your application. You will receive a notification with the reason. You may be able to reapply if circumstances change; contact Support for help.

How do I complete revision requests?

To learn more about revisions, see Complete Revision Requests (GrantsConnect Help).