Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about 501(c)(3) nonprofits, EINs, and this directory.
What is a 501(c)(3) organization?
A 501(c)(3) organization is a nonprofit entity that has been granted tax-exempt status by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. These organizations are typically charitable, religious, educational, scientific, or literary in purpose. Donations to 501(c)(3) organizations are generally tax-deductible for the donor.
What is an EIN (Employer Identification Number)?
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify organizations for tax purposes. It's formatted as XX-XXXXXXX. Every registered nonprofit has an EIN, which you can use to look up their tax filings and verify their tax-exempt status.
How do I verify if a nonprofit is legitimate?
You can verify a nonprofit's tax-exempt status by searching for their name or EIN on this site or on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. Check that their status shows as "Active" and review their Form 990 filings for financial transparency.
What is an NTEE code?
NTEE stands for National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities. It's a classification system used by the IRS and nonprofit researchers to categorize organizations by their primary purpose. For example, code "B" is Education, "E" is Health Care, and "P" is Human Services. Each nonprofit is assigned an NTEE code based on their stated mission.
Where does the data on this site come from?
All data comes from official IRS sources: the Exempt Organizations Business Master File (BMF), Form 990 annual returns, and e-Postcard (990-N) filings. The BMF provides basic information about every registered tax-exempt organization. Form 990 filings provide detailed financial data, mission statements, and key personnel information.
How often is the data updated?
We update our data periodically from the latest IRS releases. The IRS typically updates the Business Master File monthly and processes Form 990 filings on an ongoing basis. There may be a delay between when an organization files and when data appears on this site.
What is Form 990?
Form 990 is the annual information return that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. It includes detailed financial information such as revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities, as well as the organization's mission statement and compensation of key personnel. Small organizations (under $50,000 gross receipts) file the simplified Form 990-N (e-Postcard) instead.
Can I donate through this site?
No, this site is an informational directory. To donate to a nonprofit, visit the organization's official website directly. You can find website links on individual nonprofit pages when available.
How do I look up a nonprofit's tax-exempt status?
Search for the organization by name or EIN using the search bar on our home page. The organization's detail page will show their IRS subsection (e.g., 501(c)(3)), status (Active or revoked), ruling date, and whether donations are tax-deductible.
What does 'Revenue' mean on a nonprofit's page?
Revenue represents the total income an organization receives, including contributions, grants, program service revenue, investment income, and other sources. It comes from the organization's most recent IRS filing or from the IRS Business Master File summary data.