Frequently Asked Questions

GuideStar Exchange Program FAQs

  1. What is the GuideStar Exchange?
  2. Which nonprofits can be listed on the GuideStar Exchange?
  3. What are the benefits of being listed on the GuideStar Exchange?
  4. How do I get my organization listed on the GuideStar Exchange?
  5. Does my organization have to pay to be listed on the GuideStar Exchange?
  6. We are already listed and have a log-in for GuideStar. Will we automatically be included in this new Exchange, or do we need to do something more?
  7. My organization does not have an independent audited financial statement. Can we be listed on the Exchange?
  8. My organization has an independent audited financial statement, but we don't have a letter of determination because we're faith based and automatically tax exempt. Can we be listed on the Exchange?
  9. My organization has updated its information on GuideStar but does not qualify for the GuideStar Exchange. What will happen to the information we provided for our GuideStar report?

Answers:

1. What is the GuideStar Exchange?

The GuideStar Exchange is a new initiative designed to connect nonprofits with current and potential supporters.

Millions of people come to GuideStar to learn more about nonprofit organizations. The GuideStar Exchange allows nonprofits to share a wealth of up-to-date information with GuideStar's vast on-line audience of grantmakers and individual donors.

2. Which nonprofits can be listed on the GuideStar Exchange?

Any organization that (a) has an IRS letter of determination and (b) an annual independent audited financial statement is invited to apply to be listed on the Exchange.

3. What are the benefits of being listed on the GuideStar Exchange?

All organizations that are accepted for the GuideStar Exchange will have the opportunity to create customized report pages. You'll be able to upload the following directly to your report:
  • Logo
  • Photos
  • Video
  • Recent news items
  • Recent annual reports
  • Three "wishes"—timely appeals for specific donations that your organization needs
You'll also be able to link directly from your Web site to your customized report pages.

4. How do I get my organization listed on the GuideStar Exchange?

Complete the GuideStar Exchange Form (GEF) and upload your letter of determination and most recent independent audited financial statement. We will e-mail you to let you know if your organization has been accepted for the Exchange.

Once you have provided GuideStar with certain information about your organization, a GuideStar Exchange seal will appear on your report, showing donors and funders that your organization is committed to ways to help them make more informed giving decisions.

5. Does my organization have to pay to be listed on the GuideStar Exchange?

No. Thanks to generous support from foundations, we are able to make the Exchange available at no cost to the organizations listed on it.

6. We are already listed and have a log-in for GuideStar. Will we automatically be included in this new Exchange, or do we need to do something more?

You will need to apply to be listed on the Exchange; please follow the steps outlined in question 4.

7. My organization does not have an independent audited financial statement. Can we be listed on the Exchange?

Not at this time. The program has been launched as a beta test, so we are limiting participation in it to organizations that have both a letter of determination and an annual independent audited financial statement. As part of the beta trial, we will be assessing smaller organizations' interest in participating in the Exchange.

You still can update your GuideStar report using the current GuideStar Information Form.

8. My organization has an independent audited financial statement, but we don't have a letter of determination because we're faith based and automatically tax exempt. Can we be listed on the Exchange?

Not at this time. You will either need to obtain a letter of determination from the IRS or wait until we extend the program to other organizations. You still can update your GuideStar report using the current GuideStar Information Form.

9. My organization has updated its information on GuideStar but does not qualify for the GuideStar Exchange. What will happen to the information we provided for our GuideStar report?

That information will remain on our site, and you will still be able to update it using the current GuideStar Information Form.