In recent years, people are more closely scrutinizing charities and nonprofit companies before making a charitable donation, volunteering for service or seeking employment.The percentage of donations used for direct services, the financial viability of the company and how employees describe the place to work are some ways that you can evaluate a charity or nonprofit.To ensure you are investing in a trustworthy organization, you should investigate the company before aligning yourself with a charity.
Step 1: You can read the company's website.
The first step in conducting an accurate and thorough investigation is learning the basic facts about the organization.You should read what the company has to say about itself.A website is a good place to start gathering information.The websites of nonprofits give extensive background information on the charity and its programs, as well as financial summaries and tax filing information.Ask for written information on the organization's finances and charitable activities.Reputable charities already have this type of information ready to send out.
Step 2: Contact the government.
Information on a nonprofit organization may be important to the Secretary of State.Government agencies maintain information for nonprofits that register to do business in the state, are required to register as a charity under state law, or become a legal entity in a particular state.Consumers can find information on businesses and nonprofits in many of the government agencies' databases.To find a list of state-by-state searchable databases for corporations, visit: http://www.coordinatedlegal.com/SecretaryOfState.
Step 3: You can find the National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations.
Information on nonprofits with annual incomes of at least $25,000 can be found in the National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations.You can usually find a copy at the library.The name, mailing address, and phone number of the company can be found by searching the NDNO.The company has an identification number.The company reported its annual income on its IRS form.If a library has a subscription to the company that manages the electronic database, you can search it online.
Step 4: You can search the Encyclopedia of Associations.
Detailed information on U.S. nonprofits with a national scope can be found in the Encyclopedia of Associations.The Encyclopedia can be found at your local library.The name and contact information for the organization can be found in the Encyclopedia.There is information about company contacts.There is information about the company.The budget for the year.There are groups affiliated with the company.If a library has a subscription to the company that manages the Encyclopedia's electronic database, you can search it online.
Step 5: An organization's annual reports can be analyzed.
The annual reports highlight the organization's mission and impact, thank volunteers and supporters, and make a case for donations.It is possible for an organization to be transparent and honest about what they have been doing the previous year.What was accomplished, what they fell short on, and what lies ahead will be documented.Financial documents will be included in the annual report.You can get an idea of how the organization's outlook has changed over time by reading several years worth of reports.
Step 6: Check the organization is tax-exempt.
The IRS exempts tax-exempt organizations from paying income tax if they are recognized as a charitable organization.You can find out if an organization is tax-exempt by searching the IRS database.Consumers can check on an organization's tax-exempt status with the help of the IRS.You can access the database on the IRS website.The IRS has a list of revocations.The IRS offers a list of organizations that have their tax-exempt status revoked.Check the list to make sure the organization has not been revoked after verification that it has been granted tax-exempt status.You can search the list by visiting: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/revocations.
Step 7: There are charity and nonprofit indexes.
Free background and financial information on many nonprofits can be found on online indexes.The nonprofits are investigated to determine how the company spends its money and whether it is a worthwhile investment for consumers.
Step 8: You can search for the National Center for Charitable Statistics.
There is a database of data for nonprofits.The center works with government agencies, including the IRS, private organizations, and the scholarly community to develop its databases and provide the public with standard information regarding the activities of various charities.
Step 9: There is a website called the Charitable Choices.
Through their online index and four yearly charity guides, Charitable Choices gives nonprofits a way to promote their charities and organizations.An organization needs to meet certain standards in order to be listed in a Charitable Choices guide.There is an online index at http://www.charitychoices.com.
Step 10: The Charities Review Council has a website.
All of the nonprofits that have met the Council's accountability standards have been provided a searchable index by the Charities Review Council.The index can be found at http://www.smartgivers.org.
Step 11: Consumer advocate organizations are a good place to consult.
Consumer advocate organizations expose scam and fraudulent organizations on their websites.GuideStar is a well-known nonprofit organization that gathers and publishes important information about other nonprofits on its website.GuideStar has a database at http://www2.guidestar.org.The websites that claim to be nonprofits are investigated by Consumer Reports WebWatch.Consumer Reports publishes its findings on its site in a searchable database, which can be found at: http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/non-profit.The Wise Giving Alliance, which is run by the Better Business Bureau, investigates nonprofits and publishes reviews based on 23 standards that include topics such as use of funds, public accountability, and ethical fundraising.The website is located on the internet.Charity Watch is a well-known organization that acts as a charity watchdog, evaluating and rating charities and publishing the results of its evaluations and in-depth background information in an A to Z listing on its website.You can find the website at: http://www.charitywatch.org.Charity Navigator evaluates and rates charities.It gives ratings to hundreds of charities and nonprofits on its website.
Step 12: You can talk to the organization's development director.
The development director is responsible for raising money for the organization.You can often get a lot of information from these employees, even though they will often be biased.Inquire to speak with the development director of the nonprofit you are investigating.Set up a time to talk with them.Talk to them over the phone if that doesn't work.Ask them about their success within the organization.Ask them how many grants they apply for each year.How much money they have asked for and how much they've earned can be asked.Asking these types of questions will give you a good idea of the organization's success.
Step 13: The organization has an IRS form.
Before accepting a position at a nonprofit company, you should check to see if the company is financially viable.Each year, a nonprofit company with gross annual receipts of $25,000 or more must file a Form 990 with the IRS, which reveals a number of financial facts about the company, including, but not limited to the names and compensation of its officers and trustees, its highest paid employees and contractors, andContact the nonprofit company and ask if they can mail you a copy of the Form 990, you can find it online at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/.Request it from the IRS.For a small fee, you can get scanned images of Form 990 filings for a specific tax year.You can request a specific form from the IRS.Form 4506 can be found on the IRS website.You can request it from a third party.The background and financial information provided to their databases are included in many of the consumer advocate groups and online charity indexes discussed above.
Step 14: The company has filed with the United States Census Bureau.
Every year, non-profit organizations that receive $500,000 or more in federal awards must complete a Census Bureau form and perform a Single Audit.The Census Bureau requires nonprofits to report how they spent federal awards during the filing year.
Step 15: Informational interviews can be conducted.
Informal conversations with people in a professional field interest you.Taking part in informational interviews will give you a first-hand view of what it is like to work in a particular field and you will get tips from people about what you can do to succeed in interviews and jobs.These interactions will allow you to keep in touch with influential people and expand your professional network.Research career fields to conduct an informational interview.You can find job titles that interest you based on your educational background.To interview, identify people.If you know what you want, you can find people who already have those jobs.You can ask your friends and family if they know anyone with a specific job title, you can call organizations directly, or read relevant news articles to learn about people in your field.Prepare for the interview.You need to tell the person who you are and why you're calling in a short introduction.In order to get information about the job the person holds, how they got it, and how someone like you can get a similar job, you should plan a number of open-ended questions.You can call the other person.Call the person and tell them how you got their information.Ask if they have time to introduce themselves.If you can meet with them in person, ask them a few questions about their job.You should emphasize that you are looking for information and not a job.The interviewer should conduct the interview.Go to your interview when the day arrives.Arrive early and dress like you are going to a job interview.Start by asking your questions.Take notes if you need to.If you want to talk to them about these types of jobs, ask if they have any other contacts.Follow-up.Within a day or two, follow-up after your interview.Let them know you appreciate their time by sending them a thank you note.Let the person know how you are using their advice.
Step 16: There are online reviews of the company.
Before you accept a position at a nonprofit company, you should read how previous and current employees describe the organization as a place to work.Individuals can search for information from previous employees for free on online websites.To find websites that review employers, conduct an internet search for "online company reviews from employees." Once you locate a website, look for the nonprofit's name and carefully read the reviews.
Step 17: Ask about employee turnover.
If you are interviewing for a position at a nonprofit company, you should ask about the turnover rate.There is a high rate of employee burnout at nonprofits.Measure the potential experience you could get at the company against the burdensome workload and the likelihood of burnout if your company has a high employee turnover rate.If you understand that most employees only work for a few years, ask yourself if you can get enough transferrable experience in that time to make the position worthwhile.Do you like the work being done at the company?One way to prevent burnout is to involve yourself in work that you feel passionate about and for which you can see results.The company may be a good choice for you.