How to find information on non-profits?

Answered By: Coleen Neary

Last Updated: Oct 06, 2022 Views: 31

There are various classifications for nonprofits or charities that are designated by the Internal Revenue Service as having a tax-exempt status. The most general EO (Exempt Organization) classification is a 501(c) corporation, but there are also 501(c)(6) organizations and 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. See the IRS link below.

While nonprofits and charitable organizations have tax-exempt status, they are required by law to file a Form 990. Many websites allow you to search for these filings, see the links below:

Foundation Center | 990 Lookup

Free access to the most recent Forms 990 and 990-PF filed by nonprofit organizations with Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
GuideStar (free registration required)

Get IRS data, plus more up-to-date information from nonprofits for free. For full information, a membership payment is required.
National Association of Secretaries of State

U.S. companies must register with the secretary of state in which they are established.
National Center for Charitable Statistics

Portal for nonprofit practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to download and explore data, this is the home for all NCCS publications.\
ProPublica | Nonprofit Explorer

Research tax-exempt organizations via their 990 filings.