FAQs: GuideStar Exchange

What is the GuideStar Exchange?

The GuideStar Exchange is an initiative designed to connect nonprofits with current and potential supporters. With millions of people coming 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.

Exchange members are nonprofits that have updated their nonprofit report to the fullest—sharing information, documentation, photos and video with GuideStar's site visitors. Review the required information for Exchange participation

Which browsers are compatible with the GuideStar Exchange Form?

Firefox and Internet Explorer work best.

Is there a charge to be listed on the GuideStar Exchange?

There is no charge.

Some of the information I entered in the GuideStar Exchange Form is not being displayed in my organization’s GuideStar report. Why?

Some of the fields on the GuideStar Exchange Form are displayed only to GuideStar Premium subscribers. Other fields help inform GuideStar’s research on the nonprofit sector and are not visible on the GuideStar site. By sharing your organization’s information with GuideStar, you have not only updated your report but also helped increased knowledge of the sector and reached out to the millions of people who use our partner sites. Thank you for taking the time to complete the GuideStar Exchange Form.

Where can I learn more about the GuideStar Exchange and about completing the GuideStar Exchange Form?

See How to Update Your Nonprofit Report and Participate in the GuideStar Exchange and Earn the GuideStar Exchange Seal.

Can I upload all my board member and senior manager information at once, or do I have to upload each one manually?

You can now upload them all at once, although you can still upload information manually, if you prefer.

To upload information on multiple board members or senior managers, download the appropriate template from the GuideStar Exchange Form. Please note that if you do choose to use the template, it will overwrite any previously entered names.

If I need to update my board members or senior staff, when I download the template, do I have to reenter all the information?

No; that information will download with the template.

I used the templates to update the information for my board members and senior managers. When I uploaded, it deleted all the previous information. Can I get that information back?

Unfortunately, no. If you are going to use the template to upload information on multiple board members or senior managers, please be sure to include all the names you want to appear.

I downloaded the template to update the information for my board members and senior managers. What format do I need to save my final file as?

Excel, CSV, or Notepad.

How do I use the template to update the information?

1. Download the template as an Excel, CSV, or Notepad file by pressing the "Get Board Members template" or "Get Senior Staff template" button.
2. Fill in the required fields for all board members and senior managers.
3. Save the file to your computer as an Excel, CSV, or Notepad document.
4. Click the browse button and select the file from your computer.
5. Upload the completed file by pressing the "Upload and Replace Board Members" or "Upload and Replace Senior Staff" button.

Can I display my organization's GuideStar Exchange Seal on my Web site?

If your organization has earned the GuideStar Exchange Seal, you are welcome to display it on your site. To obtain the Seal:

1. Sign in on the GuideStar site.
2. Go to Manage Nonprofit Reports page and click the Benefits link for your organization.
3. Click the Get the GuideStar Exchange Seal Widget link.
4. Follow the instructions on the GuideStar Seal Widget page.

Will the GuideStar Exchange Seal include a link to my GuideStar profile?

Yes. The widget customizes the Seal for your organization. The code will include your organization's name as it appears on GuideStar as well as a link to your organization's GuideStar profile.

Can I embed my GuideStar Exchange Seal in my Facebook page?

Not at this time, although we may add this functionality in the future. We will continue to look for ways to serve your organization better and look forward to your suggestions. Please click the feedback link on the lower right-hand corner of your browser and send us your comments.

Why did my GuideStar Exchange Seal disappear from my Web site?

There are several reasons why your GuideStar Exchange Seal may have disappeared:

1. Your organization did not click "Send to GuideStar" under the "Review Changes" tab the last time you updated your profile.
2. The IRS has revoked your organization's tax-exempt status.
3. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has listed your organization as an entity engaged in or supporting terrorism.
4. Your organization has violated the Terms of Use for the GuideStar Web site or the GuideStar Exchange Terms of Use.

Is there a way for more than one person in my organization to have access to our GuideStar Exchange Form? It doesn't let me request access because someone else at our organization already has access.

Yes! Now you can assign additional permissions yourself, without asking GuideStar to do it! The assign managers interface makes adding and removing administrators from your profile a snap.

How long after we submit our Form 990 to the IRS can we expect to see it on GuideStar?

Approximately two to six months. In the meantime, you can post your 990 yourself using the "Document Uploads" tab of your GuideStar Exchange Form.

We do not have our most recent Form 990 or audited report yet. Should I update our info with last year’s report?

Yes. You can add information from last year's return and update your report again as soon as you have information from this year's return.

My agency does not produce an annual report. Can we still qualify for the GuideStar Exchange seal?

Yes. The annual report is only one way to earn the GuideStar Exchange Seal. You may alternatively upload an audited financial document or complete the Basic Financial Statement section in the form.

How long does it take for the updated GuideStar information to show on partner sites, such as Network for Good? I updated over a month ago, and the partner sites still show our old data.

Please e-mail your organization's Employer Identification Number (EIN), and we will investigate. Choose "GuideStar Exchange" in as the topic of your message.

Can my religious organization have a listing on GuideStar?

Yes. Please see Policies for Adding Nonprofits Not Listed on the IRS Business Master File to learn more.