How to verify a nonprofit organization

Verify registration status

The first step is confirming the nonprofit is actually registered with a government authority. Every country has its own registry:

Check tax-exempt status

Registration alone does not guarantee tax-exempt status. In the US, verify the organization has 501(c)(3) designation. The subsection code matters:

• 501(c)(3) - charitable, religious, educational. Donations are tax-deductible.
• 501(c)(4) - social welfare organizations. Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
• 501(c)(6) - business leagues, chambers of commerce. NOT tax-deductible.

GiveRadar shows the subsection code and deductibility status for US nonprofits, and equivalent tax status for charities in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

Review financial filings

A legitimate nonprofit files regular financial reports with its government regulator. In the US, this is IRS Form 990. In the UK, it is the annual return to the Charity Commission.

Things to check in financial filings:

• Are filings current? A charity that stopped filing may have dissolved or be hiding problems.
• Are the financials clearly disclosed? Detailed, complete reporting is a sign of a transparent organization.
• What is the program spending ratio? At least 65-75% should go to programs.
• Is executive pay reasonable? Compare CEO compensation to the total budget.

Verify officers and board members

A well-governed nonprofit has a board of directors that provides oversight. Red flags include:

• No disclosed board members
• All board members are from the same family
• Very small board (fewer than 3 members)
• No board meeting records or governance policies

GiveRadar has 21 million+ officer records with names, titles, and compensation data. Create a free account to access officer details.

Use GiveRadar for instant verification

Instead of checking multiple government databases, you can verify any charity in one search on GiveRadar: