FAQs: Searching the Site

What organizations are included in the GuideStar database?

GuideStar's database includes information on all tax-exempt nonprofits registered with the IRS. Currently, there are more than 1.8 million organizations in the database. This includes more than 1 million public charities, approximately 141,000 private foundations, and more than half a million other exempt organizations.

Why isn't my local house of worship listed?

Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other faith-based organizations are not required to file with the IRS for tax-exempt status. Although only a fraction of American houses of worship have applied for formal IRS tax-exempt status, more than 170,000 faith-based organizations are listed on GuideStar. The majority have posted their information after providing proof of their tax-exempt status to GuideStar.

Why can't I find a particular organization on GuideStar?

There are several reasons an organization may not appear on GuideStar:

1. It is not registered with the IRS as an exempt organization.
2. It is registered with the IRS under a different name. This name may not be the more commonly used name. For instance, FACES is the trade name of Family and Community Education & Support, Inc. Try putting the more common name in the keyword field rather than the name filed.
3. It is considered a religious entity and is not required to file with the IRS for tax-exempt status.
4. It is a program for a larger organization and does not have its own listing.
5. It is no longer recognized as an exempt organization, having lost its exemption or gone out of business.
6. It is a new organization whose listing has not been entered in the database yet.