Resources for Research on Non-Profits
It is amazing how much information is available in cyberspace for those who know where to look.
With the IRS’ push for transparency, Not-for-Profit Organizations (NPOs) are required to make their annual filings and governing documents open to public inspection. Sometimes that happens without the organization even being aware of it.
There are a multitude of reasons for needing information on NPOs. For example, certain non-profits need to research grant applicants before distributing money to them, donors may want to research organizations they are considering contributing to, or commercial businesses may want to know about the NPOs they work with.
The first stop is the NPO’s website, which can provide a wealth of information including organization documents, the Form 1023/1024 application for exemption, and board information. In addition, sites such as Nonprofitlist.org will help connect donors/volunteers with NPOs by allowing a search by location and providing basic background information on the organization.
GuideStar is a service that provides information on NPOs across the country. There is a membership fee for information beyond the basics, and the level of membership purchased dictates the amount of information you can get.
If you need more detailed information on a particular NPO, there are other ways to get what you need without spending a dime. Any organization that files a Form PC in Massachusetts automatically has their filings posted to the Attorney General’s website. Additionally, an organization’s current exemption status is available on the IRS’s website through Pub. 78, and the Secretary of State posts all Public Charities’ Annual Reports on their site.
The information you need is out there, as long as you know where to dig!
Anstiss & Co. is a Lowell- based public accounting firm serving clients throughout the United States. The firm was founded by Ray Anstiss, Sr. in 1964, and is currently listed as a Top-35 Accounting Firm in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal.
