Frequently Asked Questions

Help for Nonprofit Organizations

  1. Where did the information on my organization come from?
  2. How do I register my organization?
  3. How do I update my nonprofit report?
  4. When I tried to register my organization, an error message said that our organization's EIN isn't in your database. How can I register my organization?
  5. How does my organization link to GuideStar?
  6. My organization is part of another organization. Can we have our own listing at GuideStar?
  7. Can my religious organization have a listing at GuideStar?
  8. My organization's name has changed. How do I change it at GuideStar?
  9. What can you redact from my Form 990?
  10. Do nonprofit organizations pay to be included on GuideStar?
  11. How do I make PDFs to upload?
  12. How do I add a Donate Now button to my GuideStar report page?

Answers:

1. Where did the information on my organization come from?

GuideStar obtains information from the IRS Business Master File, IRS Forms 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF, and individual organizations. If your organization's listing has only basic information, it is most likely from the Business Master File. More extensive information generally comes from your IRS Form 990. We invite you to add to and update your organization's information to ensure that GuideStar users get the most complete data about your organization.

2. How do I register my organization?

Registration is free—use the Register link at the top of this page to create an account for yourself. Then follow the instructions in FAQ 3, below ("How do I update my nonprofit report?").

3. How do I update my nonprofit report?

If you're already registered at GuideStar (see FAQ 2, above), follow these instructions to update your nonprofit report using the GuideStar Exchange Form:
  1. Log in.
  2. Click My GuideStar at the top of the page.
  3. Click Update my nonprofit report.
  4. Decide if you would like to Updated the GuideStar Information Form or the GuideStar Exchange Form. Learn more
  5. Click on the button to update the form of your choice.
  6. Click your organization's Employer Identification Number (EIN), if your EIN is not listed, type the EIN in the empty box under “Add a nonprofit to manage”.
  7. Click on Update GIF.
  8. Complete the form.
  9. Click Submit. Your information will be posted on GuideStar within 48 hours.

4. When I tried to register my organization, an error message said that our organization's EIN isn't in your database. How can I register my organization?

You can register your nonprofit if the IRS has determined that it's a 501(c) organization. First, confirm that you typed the correct EIN. If the EIN is correct, please forward a copy of your organization's Letter of Determination, which the IRS sent to you after you filed a Form 1023/1024. Fax the document to (757) 229-8912 or mail it to GuideStar, 4801 Courthouse Street, Suite 220, Williamsburg, VA 23188. We'll add your organization to our database.

If your organization is a religious organization and not required to file with the IRS please see question 7.

5. How does my organization link to GuideStar?

We appreciate your link to our home page. Click here for easy instructions and GuideStar logos to use on your Web site. To link directly to your organization's GuideStar Report, please contact customerservice@guidestar.org.

6. My organization is part of another organization. Can we have our own listing at GuideStar?

If your organization is registered as a separate entity with the IRS and has a different EIN (employer identification number) from the parent organization, you may fill out the GuideStar Information Form (GIF) for your organization. Otherwise, ask a representative of the parent organization to fill out the GIF and include a description of your organization under the "Programs" section.

7. Can my religious organization have a listing at GuideStar?

We can include your religious organization in the database if you provide us with the following information:

a) EIN issuance letter
b) Year founded
c) A denominational listing (i.e., Kenedy Directory, Lutheran Directory, state letter for churches)

Fax this information to 757.229.8912 or mail it to GuideStar, 4801 Courthouse Street, Suite 220, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Be sure to include your contact information in case we have questions about your request.

Your organization will be added to the database within 3-5 days if it meets these requirements.

8. My organization's name has changed. How do I change it at GuideStar?

Name changes on GuideStar can only be performed by requesting a change through the IRS. We can, however, add a new name as a "doing business as (dba)" name if you follow these steps:
  1. Register your organization with GuideStar at https://commerce.guidestar.org/GuideStar/newaccount.aspx.
  2. Complete the GuideStar Information Form (GIF).
  3. Fax letterhead, a Web site page, advertisements, IRS forms, or a state letter showing the new name. Our fax number is 757.229.8912.
  4. Be sure to include in your fax a telephone number or e-mail address where we can reach you if we have questions.
Once the information from your GIF has been posted on GuideStar, our Customer Service staff will change your organization's name. If you elect NOT to register with us and not to complete the GIF, the name change can only be performed by the IRS. This process can take several weeks. To request a name change through the IRS, file a blank form 990 with the "name change" block checked or contact the IRS for more information at (877) 829-5500 (toll-free number). The IRS call center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. You may write to them at the following address:

Internal Revenue Service
TE/GE Division, Customer Service
P.O. Box 2508
Cincinnati, OH 45201

9. What can you redact from my Form 990?

At the request of the filing organization, we will redact signatures other than the authorizing officer's and preparer's signatures; Social Security numbers; street addresses of private residences and of certain organizations; and the names of individuals receiving scholarships, medical care, or similar services (whether they be minors or adults). There is an initial set-up fee of $50 per return and $10 per page redacted for this service. GuideStar will redact the street address for a domestic abuse shelter at no charge to help ensure its clients' protection.

Click here to learn more about preparing your 990 without sensitive information.

10. Do nonprofit organizations pay to be included on GuideStar?

Organizations pay nothing to have their information on GuideStar.

11. How do I make PDFs to upload?

There are many ways to create a Portable Document File (PDF).
  • To see if your word processing or graphics program has this capability, look under File>Print> or File>Save As for a "PDF writer" or "PDF" option.
  • To see some options for software and on-line services, search the Internet using the keywords "create PDF".
  • Some office-supply and document-printing companies will create a PDF from your paper or electronic file for a fee.

12. How do I add a Donate Now button to my GuideStar report page?

If your organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity recognized by and in good standing with the IRS, a Donate Now button already appears at the top of your GuideStar report. Only 501(c)(3) public charities can have a Donate Now button on GuideStar.