Applying for Funding & What to Expect
Step 1: Review our Guidelines
Please take a moment to review our application guidelines to determine if your organization and your project meet our funding criteria.
If you are unsure if your project fits within our guidelines, or if you have not spoken with a Program Staff member, please email a brief description of the project to info@benedum.org. A staff member will contact you within 10 business days of your inquiry.
The Foundation does not have submission deadlines; applications are accepted throughout the year.
Step 2: Application Process – The New Blackbaud Applicant & Grantee Portal
As of July 1, 2025, all new applications are being submitted via the new Blackbaud Applicant & Grantee portal. If you don’t already have a Blackbaud ID, you will set up new login information as you begin the application process. Learn how to create a Blackbaud ID account.
As you move through the application process, you may see various names such as Blackbaud, GrantsConnect, and YourCause; these are all names of legitimate vendors and the software platforms they use. Do no hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
Accessing the Applicant & Grantee Portal
Whether you are looking to start a new application, access in-progress applications, or view previously submitted applications (only applications submitted via the new portal will be accessible), click this link to be directed to the Blackbaud portal. Be sure to bookmark this link for easy access back to the portal.
Review our Application Checklist for some helpful tips prior to starting a new application.
Once your online application has been recorded in our database, an automatic email reply will be sent to you acknowledging receipt. The application will be assigned to the appropriate Program Staff member and you will receive a response within 60 days.
If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to speak to someone personally, please contact the Grants System Manager, at 412-246-3636 or jhammerstrom@benedum.org.
Step 3: Review Process
The Foundation’s review process from submission to approval or declination may take up to 90 days. In some cases the review process might be longer.
-
- The Grants System Manager reviews all proposals and may contact you for additional information or clarification of information submitted in the application.
- Once the application and additional items submitted are in order, the application is reviewed by the President and Program Staff, who decide whether the application should be presented to the Board of Trustees. Factors such as alignment with the Foundation’s mission, timing of a project, the project budget, or the Foundation’s funding schedule may have an impact on the approval or declination of a proposal.
- Proposals recommended for consideration by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees are then placed on the agenda for consideration and are voted on by the Board.
- Within two weeks of grant approval, grantees are notified of the award via a grant agreement letter.
- At any point in the process, if Staff decides not to recommend a proposal to the Board, or if the Board decides not to award funding, your organization will receive a declination letter.
Step 4: Reporting
Grantees are required to submit written reports of the project approved for funding. The reporting requirements and due dates are set by Program Staff and are outlined in the Grant Agreement Letter.
Report forms are posted to your online account at least 30 days prior to the due date. If the grant report form has not been posted, contact the Grants System Manager, at 412-246-3636 or jhammerstrom@benedum.org.
Learn more about reporting requirements here.