The free charity research websites provide a wealth of information.
- They’ll help you track down individual charities and view their operations and finances.
- You can check charity missions, programs, spending, assets, liabilities, staff and board, and much more.
Tip: Using a nonprofit’s EIN (employer identification number) is the fastest, most accurate way to do nonprofit and charity research. More about EINs.
Here are my top seven sites, with a brief description of the focus of each. Updated March 1, 2019.
| Free Charity Research Websites | ||||
| Site URL / Link | Coverage | Focus | User Registration | |
| A | CharityCheck101.org | 1.6 million+ nonprofits | Check identity and tax status; find EINs; Reverse Lookup | None required |
| B | CharityNavigator.org | 8,300+ reviews; 1.6 million+ nonprofits | Reviews and ratings | Optional registration gets you deeper access |
| C | CharityWatch.org | 600+ reviews |
Reviews and ratings; investigative reports | None required; Donate $50 and get expanded reports |
| D | Foundation Center 990 Finder | 1.6 million+ nonprofits | Copies of Form 990 and Form 990-PF filings | None required |
| E | GreatNonprofits.org | 1.6 million+ nonprofits | Donor, volunteer and user reviews | Optional registration allows you to post reviews |
| F | Guidestar.org | 1.6 million+ nonprofits | Data and copies of Form 990 and Form 990-PF filings | Optional registration gets you deeper access |
| G | IRS.gov Exempt Organizations Select-Check | 1.6 million+ nonprofits | Check identity and tax status | None required |
In 2019 I added the Foundation Center 990 Finder to the list and removed the National Center for Charitable Statistics.