How to Find a List of Nonprofit Organizations

If you're thinking about donating to a nonprofit organization, there are a few websites you can check to make sure the nonprofit is an actual charity. It's also possible to check the IRS status of a nonprofit to make sure your donation is tax deductible. To search for nonprofit organizations and find a list of nonprofit organizations, check out the resources below.

Instructions

1. Download a list of nonprofit organizations from the Internal Revenue Service by going to the IRS website. The link to the download page is listed in the resource section below. It's possible to search the IRS web page by nonprofit name too.

2. Get a list of nonprofit organizations by zip code or tax ID number at MelissaData.com. MelissaData.com has an easy to search database. There is no need to register and there is no fee to check charity organizations.

3. At Idealist.org search for nonprofit organizations by country, state, city, or search by browsing listings by country.

4. Search GuideStar.org for information about United States nonprofit organizations. You will have to register for the website.

5. Get information and links to nonprofit organization lists from FoundationCenter.org. FoundationCenter.org has information about United States' nonprofit organizations and philanthropy.

Tips & Warnings

• If a nonprofit is not on a list it may be the organization is not a nonprofit or it is new.

Resources

• IRS Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, Section 170(c)
• MelissaData.com
• Idealist.org
• Guidestar.org
• FoundationCenter.org