RAC’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 will go 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 arts organizations might already have an active Blackbaud ID).
NEED TO KNOW: NEW GRANTS PORTAL
- ALL new grant requests must be submitted through the new grants portal. This will require the use of a Blackbaud ID (i.e., new login information).
- Please bookmark the link to access and return to the applications submitted after January 1, 2025.
- Applicants and grantees are encouraged to add additional contacts to their applications to enable collaboration and sharing.
- Please add noreply@yourcause.com AND mail@grantapplication.com AND grants@racstl.org to your safe senders list to ensure you receive all communications through the grantmaking system and from the RAC Grants Team.
CREATE AN ACCOUNT IN THE NEW GRANTS PORTAL
Create an account
using the new portal.
Follow this link or click the image above to create a new account. A new Blackbaud ID is required to apply for a grant. However, if you already have an existing Blackbaud ID (i.e. certain arts 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 put in your email, you will be prompted to send a confirmation code to your email. 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 is where all grant applications through Blackbaud will be located. Once you have created your new account, you are ready to apply for a RAC grant. Click here to access the main grants page, which links to each individual grant page where links to access applications will be available.
For technical assistance when using the grantmaking system please email the Blackbaud Technical Support Team at MS_RACSTL_Grantmaking@blackbaud.com. To contact the RAC Grants Team, please email grants@racstl.org.
frequently asked questions
WHY DOES RAC HAVE A NEW GRANTS PORTAL? I JUST LEARNED HOW TO USE THE OLD ONE.
Based on feedback, Blackbaud, the company that provides RAC’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”. Plus, the new portal is more accessible to a wider range of people. For example, using the power of AI, applications can be translated into 30 languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese, and Hindi.
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.
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 additional details can be found here.
WHERE DO I GO TO SUBMIT A NEW APPLICATION?
Each type of grant (Artist Support, Organizational Support and Program Support) will have a unique URL on the RAC website linking directly to that grant application. Click here and select the type of grant you are looking for to find the application link.
HOW DO I ACCESS AN APPLICATION THAT I HAVE ALREADY STARTED?
To access an application that you have already started, log into the grants portal here. We advise you bookmark this link for easy access to your application.
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 RAC AFTER AUGUST 2025?
You will not be able to get copies of your previous applications and reports from RAC. 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 2024 GRANTEE. HOW DO I SUBMIT MY FINAL REPORT?
To submit your final report for your 2024 RAC grant, please click here to log into the legacy portal (old application portal) and complete the final report form in the REQUIREMENTS tab. It is imperative that you submit your final report by the 2024 due date. Grantees will no longer be able to access the final report form after August 15, 2025.
I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY GRANT APPLICATION. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?
Please email the RAC Grants Team at grants@racstl.org with questions about your application or your grant. For technical assistance or questions regarding the new grants portal, please email Blackbaud Technical Support Team at MS_RACSTL_Grantmaking@blackbaud.com.