Finding Organizations in the GuideStar® Database

How do I search for an organization?

GuideStar's search engine allows you to search for an organization by keyword or name, activity, city, state, zip, nonprofit type, revenue range, employer identification number, or NTEE code. For more information about these search criteria, please consult Using Search Fields to Find Organizations in the GuideStar® Database.

What organizations are included in GuideStar®?

GuideStar's database includes information on all IRS-registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations to which donations may be tax deductible. Currently, there are 1.7 million organizations in the database.

What if I can't find a particular nonprofit on the Web site?

First, search using a method other than keyword. Try searching for location, activity, or revenue, because the IRS or nonprofit organizations themselves often abbreviate organizations' names, making a key word search unsuccessful.

If an organization is not listed in the GuideStar® database, the organization may have received its IRS 501(c) designation in the last few months and has not yet appeared on the IRS Business Master File. In this case, you might contact the organization and ask for its determination letter—the letter from the IRS that confirms its 501(c) status.

Why isn't my local house of worship listed?

The GuideStar® database may not include your religious organization because it is not required to file with the IRS for tax-exempt status. Only a fraction of American houses of worship have applied for formal IRS tax-exempt status.