NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE

AS OF MAY 2025, NCA HAS ADOPTED A NEW GRANTS PORTAL. ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY THROUGH THIS NEW PORTAL.

NCA's grants management system, Blackbaud, has implemented a new grants portal, YourCause from Blackbaud. The new portal includes some helpful features and updates that will improve the overall grantee and applicant experience. ALL applicants must apply through this new portal and are required to sign in with a new Blackbaud ID (i.e., new login information) or may use an existing Blackbaud ID if they utilize other Blackbaud products (i.e. certain organizations might already have an active Blackbaud ID). 

Detailed directions, important links and easy to reference FAQs are available below.

• All new grant applications must be submitted through the updated Grants Portal, which requires a Blackbaud ID (new login credentials). 
• Please bookmark the portal link to access and manage any applications submitted on or after June 30, 2025.
• To support collaboration, applicants and grantees are encouraged to add additional contacts to their applications.
• Please add noreply@yourcause.com AND mail@grantapplication.com AND grantsadvisor@nca-online.org to your safe senders list to ensure you receive all communications through the grantmaking system and from the NCA Grants Team. 

Create an account using the new portal.

Follow this link to create a new account and use our step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process. A new Blackbaud ID is required to apply for a grant. However, if you already have an existing Blackbaud ID (i.e. certain organizations might already have an active Blackbaud ID to use programs such as Raiser’s Edge) simply login to the grants portal.

Follow the steps to create your account.

Once you enter your email, you will be prompted to have a confirmation code sent to you. After confirming the code, you will create your password and add your name. Be aware of the password requirements listed.

Congratulations! You are ready to apply.

This page includes all grant applications through Blackbaud. Once you have created your new account, you are ready to apply for an NCA grant. Click here to access the main grants page. This page includes links to each individual grant page where links to applications will be available.

For technical assistance when using the grantmaking system please email grantsadvisor@nca-online.org

HOW DO I CREATE A BLACKBAUD ID?

Click here to create your Blackbaud ID (i.e., your login information). Instructions are listed at the top of this page, and our step-by-step account creation resource can be found here.

WHY DOES NCA HAVE A NEW GRANTS PORTAL? I JUST LEARNED HOW TO USE THE OLD ONE.

Blackbaud, the company that provides NCA's grant management system, made upgrades to their grantmaking application portal to better serve clients and the software users. 

WHAT IS BETTER ABOUT THE NEW PORTAL?

The new grants portal, YourCause from Blackbaud, has many benefits for funders, applicants and grantees. It is applicant-centric, allowing applicants to view and edit applications across the funders that use Blackbaud grantmaking. This offers a streamlined experience for applicants that will save time when applying for grants. With the use of conditional logic, funders can tailor applications, requiring specific questions, only when necessary. This reduces the number of blank documents that are uploaded and decreases the questions that are answered “not applicable”.

CAN I USE MY USERNAME AND PASSWORD FROM THE LEGACY PORTAL (OLD APPLICATION PORTAL) TO LOG INTO THE NEW GRANTS PORTAL?

No, you will not be able to log into the new grants portal with your username and password from the old application portal. You must sign in using a Blackbaud ID, which just means creating a new login account. However, if you or your organization utilize other Blackbaud products you may already have an active Blackbaud ID.

WHERE DO I GO TO SUBMIT A NEW APPLICATION?

Each grant type will have a unique URL on the NCA Engage 'Apply' page linking directly to that grant application. Click here and select the grant type to find the application link. 

WILL OUR PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS AND REPORTS BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW GRANTS PORTAL?

No, your application history will start over in the new grants portal. You are encouraged to log into the legacy portal (old application portal) and download documents from your account. Blackbaud will be deactivating this portal in August 2025, and your documents will no longer be accessible after that time. 

CAN I GET COPIES OF MY PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM NCA AFTER AUGUST 2025?

You will not be able to get copies of your previous applications and reports from NCA. If you need copies of your previous applications or reports, you MUST click here and download them from the legacy portal (old application portal) before it is deactivated in August 2025. 

I AM A 2025 GRANTEE. HOW DO I SUBMIT MY FINAL REPORT?

Current grantees should continue using the legacy portal for requirements through August 2025. Additional information will be shared about the future transition. 

I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY GRANT APPLICATION. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

Please email the NCA Grants Team at grantsadvisor@nca-online.org with questions about the portal. Current grantees should reach out to their assigned program associate with questions and portal updates.