Becoming a Partner - Virtuous API Docs

The Virtuous Partner Program is open to organizations that share our commitment to helping nonprofits grow. This page walks through the application process — how to apply, what we review, and what happens after you’re approved.

When to apply

You should apply if…	This program is a fit
You build technology nonprofits use, and an integration with Virtuous would add value to mutual customers	✓ Apply as a Technology & Integration Partner
You provide fundraising strategy, creative services, or donor engagement consulting to nonprofits	✓ Apply as a Service & Agency Partner
You specialize in CRM implementation, data migration, or product training and want to deliver Virtuous to nonprofits	✓ Apply as a Service & Implementation (S+I) Partner
You’re a nonprofit looking to use Virtuous	Visit virtuous.org — you don’t need to apply to the partner program
You want a one-off integration just for internal use	Use the API documentation directly; no partner status needed for internal integrations

See Partner Types and Tiers for the full breakdown of partner types.

The application process

Step 1: Apply

Most partners apply through the Partner Portal application — a self-service form where you share information about your organization, your work with nonprofits, and the kind of partnership you’re seeking with Virtuous. The application asks for:

Section	What we ask about
About your organization	Company name, website, primary contact, geographic focus
Your nonprofit work	The kinds of nonprofits you serve; sector focus; existing client base
Proposed partnership	Partner type you’re applying for; what you’d bring to the ecosystem
For technology partners	The integration you’re proposing; technical scope; rough timeline
For service partners	Service categories you offer; team capacity; certifications

You don’t need to have everything figured out — the application is the start of a conversation. If we approve your application, your Partner Manager will work with you to refine the specifics during onboarding.

Step 2: Virtuous reviews

Our team reviews each application for:

Review criterion	What we’re looking at
Nonprofit-sector fit	Do you currently serve nonprofits? Does your work align with the responsive fundraising model?
Market alignment	Is there demonstrated nonprofit demand for what you offer? Do mutual customers exist or seem likely?
Partnership potential	Is there opportunity for co-marketing, referrals, or integration value?
For technology partners	Does the proposed integration solve a real customer problem? Is the technical approach feasible?
For service partners	Does the team have nonprofit-sector experience? Is there capacity to support customers?
For S+I partners	Is there commitment to Virtuous Academy certifications and ongoing training?

Reviews typically take a few business days, depending on how clear the application is and whether we need to follow up for context. If we have questions, we’ll reach out before making a decision.

Step 3a: Approved

If approved, you’ll receive:

A welcome email confirming your acceptance
Invitation to the Partner Portal with your login
An invitation to a 1:1 follow-up with your Partner Manager (or, depending on partner type, an invitation to our next Partner Coffee Chat — a small-group session for newly approved partners)
A Go-to-Market (GTM) Worksheet that helps align on early activation plays and shared goals

From there, the path depends on partner type — see Onboarding by partner type below.

Step 3b: Not approved at this time

If we don’t approve the application, we’ll send a kind follow-up that explains the gap and, where possible, suggests alternatives:

Pointers to other programs that might be a better fit
Guidance on what would help a future application succeed
An invitation to stay in touch as your business evolves

A “not at this time” isn’t a permanent no — many partners apply again later as their nonprofit-sector practice grows or as their technology evolves.

Onboarding by partner type

Onboarding looks different for each partner type because the work is different. Here’s what to expect.

Technology & Integration Partners

Technology partners follow the structured Integration Pathway — a multi-stage workflow that ensures the integration is well-designed, validated, and ready for mutual customers before it goes live. The major milestones:

Milestone	What happens
MNDA signing	Mutual NDA executed so we can share sandbox access and discuss your integration design
Sandbox access	You get a Virtuous sandbox environment to develop against
Resource review	You explore the API documentation, sample integrations, and developer resources
Prototype submission	You share initial prototypes or mockups for Virtuous feedback
Development	You build the integration, with check-ins along the way
Mid-build demo	You demo current state to confirm direction before final polish
Final submission	Complete build + user-facing documentation submitted for Virtuous review
Certification + marketplace listing	Once approved, you get marketplace listing access

See the full Integration Pathway page for the detailed walkthrough.

Service & Agency Partners

Service partners typically onboard with a lighter-weight process focused on alignment and visibility:

Step	What happens
Partner Portal access	You get login credentials and a tour of available resources
GTM Worksheet	You complete the worksheet to align on services offered, ideal customer profile, and early plays
Marketplace listing	We work with you on your marketplace profile so nonprofits can find you
Referral expectations	We walk through the referral program — how to refer leads to us and how nonprofits get matched with you
Co-marketing intro	We discuss spotlight opportunities, content collaboration, and ways to elevate your work

Service partners can begin engaging with the broader program (newsletter, content collaboration, networking) as soon as onboarding completes.

Service & Implementation (S+I) Partners

S+I partners go through a more involved onboarding because customers depend on certified expertise:

Step	What happens
Partner Portal access	You get login credentials and a tour of resources
GTM Worksheet	Alignment on services offered and target customer profile
Academy certifications	Your implementation team completes required Virtuous Academy courses
Contract structure	We discuss whether you’ll operate gray-label, direct, or a mix — and align on the operational details
Marketplace listing	We work with you on your profile once certifications are complete
First customer	We work alongside you on your first Virtuous customer engagement to ensure success

The Academy certifications validate that your team can deliver Virtuous well — they’re a meaningful investment, but they also represent your team’s credentialed expertise, which matters to customers choosing an implementation partner.

After onboarding: what comes next

Approval and initial onboarding are the start of the relationship, not the end. Once you’re active in the program:

Cadence	What happens
Monthly	Partner newsletter with program updates, customer wins, and opportunities
Quarterly (or as appropriate)	Check-ins with your Partner Manager on progress, opportunities, and any blockers
Ongoing	Access to the Partner Portal, Academy, and other program resources; eligibility for spotlight, content collaboration, webinars
Periodic	Tier reviews based on engagement, impact, and alignment — see Partner Types and Tiers

Partners who consistently drive ecosystem value can advance through the program tiers over time. Your Partner Manager will work with you on what advancement looks like for your business.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the application process take?

Typically a few business days from submission to decision, sometimes longer if we need to follow up for additional context. Onboarding (after approval) varies by partner type — technology partners building integrations often have a multi-month journey through the Integration Pathway; service partners can be live in the program within a few weeks.

Can I be more than one type of partner?

Yes — some partners span types. An agency that also builds proprietary technology, or an S+I partner that also provides ongoing consulting, is welcome. The application asks you to identify your primary partner type, and your Partner Manager can help structure the relationship around your full scope.

What if my proposed integration involves multiple Virtuous products?

That’s common and welcome. Many integrations touch both CRM+ and Raise (donor data + donation processing) or include Volunteer data. The Integration Pathway accommodates multi-product integrations; the application asks for the scope so we can align reviewers and reviewers appropriately.

Can I apply if I’m not in the United States?

Yes. Virtuous serves nonprofits globally, and our partner ecosystem includes organizations from many countries. Some operational details (referral programs, marketplace listings) may be region-specific — your Partner Manager will work through those with you.

What happens if my application is approved but I never engage?

The program is meant to be active — partners who don’t engage may eventually be reviewed for continued program inclusion. If circumstances change and you need to pause, just let your Partner Manager know.

Where to go next

Integration Pathway

For technology partners — the full end-to-end build, validation, and launch workflow.

Partner Types and Tiers

Details on the three partner types and the tiered program structure.

Partner Resources

The Partner Portal, Academy, Marketplace, and other resources you’ll use as a partner.

Partner Program Overview

The program’s philosophy and the ecosystem at a glance.

​When to apply

​The application process

​Step 1: Apply

​Step 2: Virtuous reviews

​Step 3a: Approved

​Step 3b: Not approved at this time

​Onboarding by partner type

​Technology & Integration Partners

​Service & Agency Partners

​Service & Implementation (S+I) Partners

​After onboarding: what comes next

​Frequently asked questions

​How long does the application process take?

​Can I be more than one type of partner?

​What if my proposed integration involves multiple Virtuous products?

​Can I apply if I’m not in the United States?

​What happens if my application is approved but I never engage?

​Where to go next