Free client-side charity and nonprofit lookup. Verify IRS 501(c)(3) tax status, EINs, Form 990 financial transparency ratios.
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How to Vet a Charity Before Donating
Before giving to any charitable campaign or fundraising telephone appeal, smart donors verify three critical indicators:
IRS Tax-Exempt Status: Confirm that the organization is officially recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to 501(c)(4) social welfare groups or personal GoFundMe campaigns are generally not tax-deductible.
Program Expense Ratio: Review Form 990 filings to ensure at least 70% to 80% of total revenue is spent on direct charitable programs rather than telemarketing fees or administrative overhead.
Governance & Transparency: Check for independent board governance, an active conflict of interest policy, and annual audited financial statements.
Understanding IRS Form 990
IRS Form 990 is the annual public information return that tax-exempt organizations must file. Key sections to evaluate include:
Form 990 Line Item
What It Tells You
Healthy Benchmark
Part IX, Column (B)
Program Service Expenses
> 75% of total expenses
Part IX, Column (C)
Management and General (Admin)
< 15% of total expenses
Part IX, Column (D)
Fundraising Expenses
< 10% of total expenses
Part VII
Officers & Key Employee Compensation
Commensurate with organization budget
Frequently Asked Questions
What records do I need to claim a tax deduction for donations?
For cash contributions under $250, a bank record, canceled check, or written acknowledgment from the charity is required. For donations of $250 or more, you must obtain a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the charity specifying whether any goods or services were provided in return.
Can non-US citizens claim deductions on US taxes?
Tax deductions apply against US federal income tax filed on Form 1040. Non-residents filing Form 1040-NR generally have restricted charitable deduction rights under specific bilateral tax treaties (such as treaties with Canada, Mexico, or Israel).
Before donating to charitable appeals, donors must verify whether an organization holds valid 501(c)(3) tax-deductible status and how much of each contributed dollar actually reaches program services versus executive compensation and marketing overhead. This client-side tool provides instant due diligence without registration or paywalls.
When to use it
Use this tool during year-end charitable giving, preparing tax write-offs for Schedule A (Form 1040), vetting emergency disaster appeals, or researching nonprofit governance and financial stewardship.
Common questions
What is an EIN (Employer Identification Number)?
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to business entities and nonprofits (formatted as XX-XXXXXXX). It serves as the definitive taxpayer identification number required when claiming charitable deductions on federal tax returns.
What is a healthy program expense ratio?
Charity rating benchmarks (like Charity Navigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance) recommend that at least 70% to 75% of a nonprofit's total budget be spent directly on program services, with administrative and fundraising overhead capped under 25%.
How does the charitable tax deduction work?
Donations to verified 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible for taxpayers who itemize deductions on IRS Form 1040 (Schedule A). Your tax savings equal the contribution multiplied by your marginal federal income tax bracket.
Does this tool store my financial or donation data?
No. All searches, tax bracket computations, and financial ratio calculators execute 100% locally inside your browser with zero data transmission or tracking.