Frequently Asked Questions

New Users | Nonprofit Organizations | Technology FAQs

1. Who is PRI?



2. Where did the name GuideStar come from?



3. Where do you get your data?



4. How does PRI support its operations?



5. Why does Philanthropic Research, Inc. provide information for free on its GuideStar Web site?



6. What are the GuideStar Reports?



7. How do I navigate GuideStar?



8. What can I find on GuideStar for free?



9. What's the difference between GuideStar EZ, PLUS, and PRODUCTS?



10. How do I sign up for GuideStar Plus?



11. How do I log in?



12. What organizations are included in the GuideStar database?



13. How do I find an organization in the database?



14. Why isn't my local house of worship listed?



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



16. If an organization is listed on GuideStar, does it have some sort of seal of approval?



17. Why don't all organizations have a financial snapshot?



18. Can I donate to my favorite charity through GuideStar?

19. Where did the information on my organization come from?



20. How do I register my organization?



21. How does my organization link to GuideStar?



22. My organization is part of another organization. Can we have our own listing at GuideStar?



23. Can my religious organization have a listing at GuideStar?



24. My organization's name has changed. How do I change it at GuideStar?



25. What can you redact from my Form 990?



26. Do nonprofit organizations pay to be included on GuideStar?



27. How do I add a Donate Now button to my Web site?

28. What Internet browsers are compatible with your site?



29. Why can't I access the information under GuideStar Plus, even after I successfully signed up?



30. Do I have to delete all my cookies to access GuideStar Plus?



31. Why can't I log in?



32. I forgot my password. How can I log in?



33. How do I change my password?



34. What if I don't know which e-mail address I used to log-in the first time?



35. My password is not working.



36. Whom do I contact for technical assistance?



37. What is a firewall or proxy server and how does it affect my access to GuideStar Plus services?



38. When I try to sign up I get a message that says, "Can't create duplicate account".



39. I've filled out all the required fields on the sign up but can't find a "Submit" button.



40. I do not see buttons on the page when I'm trying to purchase a product.



41. How do I update my nonprofit report?



42. The icons on your search results page do not work.



43. I signed in but I still can't view the Forms 990.

1. Who is PRI?

Philanthropic Research, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1994. PRI's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy and nonprofit practice with information. PRI does business under the name "GuideStar" and operates the GuideStar Web site to deliver nonprofit information.



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2. Where did the name GuideStar come from?

The term "GuideStar" was taken from modern telescope technology and refers to the role we strive to play in the nonprofit sector. A telescope in orbit stores the positions of guide stars in its database in order to calculate its own position. The GuideStar Web site and database serve that purpose in the vast nonprofit universe.

Before GuideStar was founded, information on for-profit companies was readily available, but conducting research on nonprofit organizations was difficult, time-consuming, and sometimes costly for the researcher as well as the nonprofits. GuideStar was created to support charitable entities through the free flow of information in a public forum, to enable supporters and nonprofit managers to research and benchmark organizations' missions, programs, and performance.

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3. Where do you get your data?

Financial information comes from: the IRS Business Master File of 501(c) nonprofits that may accept tax-deductible contributions; IRS Forms 990 or 990-EZ, which are financial returns filed by nonprofits with more than $25,000 annual revenue; and the GuideStar Basic Financial Statement, a form for nonprofits that do not file with the IRS. Other information such as an organization's programs, accomplishments, and goals are obtained directly from the organization or from the organization's Form 990 or 990-EZ.

GuideStar goes to great lengths to ensure the quality and accuracy of its database. GuideStar captures data from literally hundreds of thousands of forms, with more than 100 million key-entered values each year. The objective of GuideStar's data capture program is to capture values exactly as they are input by the organization or paid preparer for each Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. To that end, every numerical value displayed on the GuideStar site is entered twice and any disparity between entered values is reconciled. GuideStar Quality Assurance staff monitors the accuracy of double-keyed data regularly. The numerical fields in the GuideStar database are captured accurately at the 99.9 percent level.

Further, GuideStar finds that charities themselves infrequently make errors on the major financial sections of their Forms 990. GuideStar's Quality Assurance staff has found organization-entry errors in 0.2 percent of fields entered. In 30 percent of the cases, such errors resulted from the preparer's failure to transfer a value, which had been established elsewhere on the document, into a required field (leaving the field blank) and do not reflect erroneous data or suggest any intention to misinform.

Therefore, although the probability is very small, there is a chance that a data-entry error will affect important ratios or other totals that are presented in an organization's GuideStar Report or in GuideStar Analyst Reports. If you identify an error in an organization's record, please notify GuideStar's Quality Assurance staff (qa@guidestar.org), and it will correct any error immediately.

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4. How does PRI support its operations?

PRI is a 501(c)(3) public charity supported by grants and gifts from our users. The following major foundations have provided support for PRI's operations: Atlantic Philanthropies, Ford Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and Surdna Foundation. For information on contributing to GuideStar, please visit our Support GuideStar page.

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5. Why does Philanthropic Research, Inc. provide information for free on its GuideStar Web site?

PRI makes information about nonprofits accessible in order to enable donors, grantmakers, government officials, researchers, and the media to evaluate the effectiveness of individual charitable organizations; improve nonprofit practices; and promote philanthropy. The Web is the most efficient and cost-effective means for disseminating this quantity of information. PRI is able to make this information available at no cost to users thanks to the generosity of charitable foundations and donors.

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6. What are the GuideStar Reports?

GuideStar Reports are Web pages displaying information on a single nonprofit organization. The amount of information available on these mini-Web sites depends on the participation level of the organization. The most active nonprofits provide information for their GuideStar Report, create their own newsletters, and post classified ads and press releases. Each page of the report is devoted to one aspect of the organization: mission and programs, finances, accomplishments and goals, or leadership. GuideStar Reports are found by searching the database and selecting one of the organizations on the Search Results page.

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7. How do I navigate GuideStar?

Start at the home page to sign in and see any special announcements and links to new content. On the left side of each page you will find navigation buttons that link to major content areas and their subsections. The welcome page will display your personalized options after you've signed in. As you move through the site, the links at the bottom of each screen give easy access to the home page, information about GuideStar, a site map, glossary, and help sections. Each page also has a convenient Search box feature. To refine your search, select More Search Options. You can use any combination of the criteria available in Advanced Search. The Search Results page displays links to organizations' reports in the database.

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8. What can I find on GuideStar for free?

You can search the database and view an organization's information, including Form 990 images when available. A simple sign-up process is required to view some of this material. There is no fee to sign up, and we protect our customers' privacy. Nonprofits can sign up and update their GuideStar Reports at no cost. You can also learn about GuideStar's fee-based products and services.

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9. What's the difference between GuideStar EZ, PLUS, and PRODUCTS?

GuideStar EZ requires no registration and provides basic information. GuideStar Plus gives you access to more data and requires a simple, no-cost sign-in. GuideStar Products offers a wide variety of options for professionals. Learn more.

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10. How do I sign up for GuideStar Plus?

Use this link to go to the Sign Up page and enter your information. It's free.

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11. How do I log in?

Enter the e-mail address and password that you provided when you signed up for GuideStar Plus.

E-mail



Password
 


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12. What organizations are included in the GuideStar database?

GuideStar's database includes information on all IRS-registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations that may accept tax-deductible contributions. Currently, there are more than 1 million organizations in the database.

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13. How do I find an organization in the database?

GuideStar's search engine allows you to search for an organization by keyword or name, activity, city, state, zip code, nonprofit type, revenue range, employer identification number, or NTEE code. For more information about these search criteria, please consult Using Search Fields.

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14. Why isn't my local house of worship listed?

The GuideStar database may not include your religious organization because churches are not required to file with the IRS for tax-exempt status. Only a fraction of American houses of worship have applied for formal IRS tax-exempt status.

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

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

1. They are not an IRS-registered 501(c) nonprofit organization eligible to accept tax-deductible contributions.
2. They may be registered under a different name with the IRS. This name may not be the more commonly used name. For instance, GuideStar is registered under the name Philanthropic Research, Inc. Try putting the more common name in the keyword field.
3. They may be considered a religious entity and are not required to file with the IRS for tax-exempt status.
4. They may be a program under a larger organization and not have their own listing.
5. They may no longer be a 501(c) recognized charity, having lost their IRS status or gone out of business.
6. They are a new charity whose listing has not been entered in the database yet.
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16. If an organization is listed on GuideStar, does it have some sort of seal of approval?

GuideStar does not judge nonprofits; it is not a watchdog organization. GuideStar's goal is to help donors make their own judgements, based on the information provided at www.guidestar.org.

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17. Why don't all organizations have a financial snapshot?

Financial snapshots are only available for public charities that file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ. About one-third of the nation's public charities file either Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. The remaining charities are not required to file either because (a) they have incomes of $25,000 or less or (b) they are faith-based organizations and are therefore exempt from filing.

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18. Can I donate to my favorite charity through GuideStar?

Donations to GuideStar itself can be made directly from our site. Simply click here. Thank you for your support!

You must, however, use one of our partner donor sites such as JustGive (www.justgive.org) or Network For Good (www.networkforgood.org) to donate to any other charity listed on GuideStar. (View a list of our partners.)

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19. Where did the information on my organization come from?

GuideStar obtains information from a variety of sources, including the IRS Business Master File, IRS Forms 990 and 990-EZ, and individual organizations. If your organization's listing has only basic information, it is most likely from the Business Master File. More extensive information generally comes from your IRS Form 990. We invite you to add to and update your organization's information at GuideStar to ensure that users have access to the most complete data about your organization.

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20. How do I register my organization?

If you work for a nonprofit organization and would like to update your information, you must first sign up with GuideStar. Sign up is free and can be accessed from the home page. At the end of the sign-up process, follow the instructions on how to fill out your organization's GuideStar Information Form.

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21. How does my organization link to GuideStar?

We appreciate your link to our home page. Click here for easy instructions and GuideStar logos to use on your Web site. To link directly to your organization's GuideStar Report, please contact customerservice@guidestar.org.

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22. My organization is part of another organization. Can we have our own listing at GuideStar?

If your organization is registered as a separate entity with the IRS and has a separate EIN (employer identification number) from the parent organization, you may fill out the GuideStar Information Form (GIF) for your organization. Otherwise, ask a representative of the parent organization to fill out the GIF and include a description of your organization under the "Programs" section.

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23. Can my religious organization have a listing at GuideStar?

Although religious organizations are considered charities and may receive tax-deductible contributions, they are not required to register with the IRS. Because the GuideStar database is based on IRS-registered charities, it may not contain a listing for your organization. We will, however, include your organization in the database if your organization has its own IRS issued EIN (Employee Identification Number) and you provide us with a copy of your organization's listing in a religious directory (i.e., Kenedy Directory, Lutheran Directory, state letter for churches).

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24. My organization's name has changed. How do I change it at GuideStar?

In order to update your organization's name, please send a copy of the official confirmation of the change, such as a document from the state or the IRS concerning that name change. You may mail (4801 Courthouse Street, Suite 220, Williamsburg, VA 23188) or FAX (757-229-8912) the documentation. Once we receive confirmation of the name change, we will make the update for you.

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25. What can you redact from my Form 990?

GuideStar staff members mask the signatures and Social Security numbers of the persons who prepared the 990s.

Other signatures and social security numbers, street addresses of private residences and of certain organizations, and the names of individuals receiving scholarships (whether it be a minor or individuals receiving other services) may also be redacted for an initial set up fee of $100 per 990 and $20 per page redacted. For battered women’s shelters, GuideStar will redact the organization’s street address at no charge to insure that clients have extra protection. Click here to learn more about preparing your 990 without sensitive information.

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26. Do nonprofit organizations pay to be included on GuideStar?

Organizations pay nothing to have their information on GuideStar.

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27. How do I add a Donate Now button to my Web site?

Two of GuideStar's partners offer this service at no cost to your organization. A small percentage of the donation is used to help cover the transaction costs. First, register your organization with GuideStar. Then visit Network for Good or JustGive and follow their step-by-step instructions for adding a Donate Now button to your site.

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28. What Internet browsers are compatible with your site?

The GuideStar site is best viewed with Internet Explorer 5.5 or Netscape 6.0 or higher. Upgraded versions of both of these browsers can be downloaded directly off the Internet at no charge. To download the latest version of Netscape, go to www.netscape.com. To download the latest version of Internet Explorer, go to www.microsoft.com/ie.

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29. Why can't I access the information under GuideStar Plus, even after I successfully signed up?

In order to view GuideStar Plus information, including Form 990 images, your Internet browser must be set up to accept cookies. If your browser is set to reject cookies automatically or to prompt you to accept or reject cookies, you won't be able to view GuideStar Plus information until you change your settings.

To change your browser settings:

1. Launch your browser.



2. Click Tools in the top toolbar.



3. Click Internet options.



4. Click Privacy tab.



5. Set your security settings to high, medium, or low.



6. Select Edit.



7. Type in www.guidestar.org.



8. Click Allow.



9. Click OK.



10. Close your browser.



11. Open a new browser.



12. Log in.



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30. Do I have to delete all my cookies to access GuideStar Plus?

No. The process above will enable cookies on the GuideStar site only and will have no effect on your ability to enable or disable cookies from any other site you visit.

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31. Why can't I log in?

Be sure that you are using the e-mail and password you signed up with. If you are using Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher or Netscape 6.0 or higher, are sure that you are using the correct e-mail and password, and are still unable to log in, your computer may have cached your previous GuideStar visit. Try clearing your Temporary Internet files of your GuideStar cookies.

1. Click Tools on the top toolbar.



2. Click Internet Options.



3. In the Temporary Internet files section, click Settings.



4. Click View Files.



5. Right click and delete the GuideStar cookies. Your other cookies will remain unchanged.



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32. I forgot my password. How can I log in?

Click Forgot password then fill in your e-mail address. A new password will be sent you via e-mail. The e-mail will contain information on how to log in and reset your password.

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33. How do I change my password?

Sign in using your e-mail address and current password. Select Change password/user profile under Need help? at the bottom of your screen. You will need to log in a second time, after which you will be able to edit any information in your profile except your e-mail address.

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34. What if I don't know which e-mail address I used to log-in the first time?

Please contact customerservice@guidestar.org and we will e-mail it to you. Be sure to include your first and last name in the e-mail. Or call our help desk at 1-800-784-9378.

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35. My password is not working.

Enter your complete e-mail address and password—sometimes users save an invalid log-in using a Windows prompt, making the auto-complete invalid. If you use a numeric pad for entering numbers, make sure that the "Num Lock" key on your keyboard is on. Although log-in codes are not case-sensitive, make sure there are no spaces before or after the codes if you are cutting and pasting from an e-mail or word-processing document.

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36. Whom do I contact for technical assistance?

E-mail our Customer Service Department at customerservice@guidestar.org or call our help desk toll free at 1-800-784-9378. Our help desk is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

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37. What is a firewall or proxy server and how does it affect my access to GuideStar Plus services?

Firewalls protect networks from unauthorized access. If you have followed all the steps above and still have trouble, check with your systems administrator to see if there are restrictions that may be preventing you from accessing the GuideStar system.

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38. When I try to sign up I get a message that says, "Can't create duplicate account."

Usually this happens when someone has already registered to update a nonprofit's information on GuideStar; all nonprofit managers who registered with us before May 7, 2003, already have accounts. If you have forgotten your log-in codes or if the person who originally signed up as the administrator of your GuideStar Report is no longer with your organization, e-mail customerservice@guidestar.org or call 1-800-784-9378.

Also, be sure that you do not accidentally click the Submit button twice when you sign up. This will return the "Can't create duplicate account" error message, even though you actually signed up successfully.

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39. I've filled out all the required fields on the sign up but can't find a "Submit" button.

Some older browsers aren't compatible with our system. Our system works best with IE 5.5 or higher or Netscape 6.0 or higher. To update your current browser, go to www.microsoft.com/ie or www.netscape.com. Updating is free.

If you are using Windows XP, you must have your system set on Windows Classic. To do so:

1. Minimize all browsers so you can view your desktop.



2. Right click on the desktop.



3. Select Properties from the pop-up menu.



4. Select the Appearance tab.



5. Select Windows Classic.



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40. I do not see buttons on the page when I'm trying to purchase a product.

If you are using Internet Explorer 6 or above and/or Windows XP, this is a browser display/style issue. To resolve:

1. Open Internet Explorer



2. Go to "Tools" and then select "Internet Options"



3. Click on the Advanced tab.



4. Scroll down the "Browsing" options and uncheck "Enable visual styles on buttons and controls in web pages".



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41. How do I update my nonprofit report?

If you provided your organization's EIN when you signed up, you may update your GuideStar listing at any time:

1. Sign in on our home page.



2. Select Update Your Nonprofit Report.



3. Enter your EIN or click on the EIN at the bottom of the page.



4. Select Update GIF.



5. When you have finished updating, be sure to click Submit (not Save for Later).




If you are not signed up:

1. Go to our home page.



2. Select Sign up today.



3. Complete the brief on-line form; make sure you identify yourself as a GuideStar Participant from the drop-down menu for Memberships and Affiliations.



4. Hit the Submit button at the bottom of the page.



5. On the next screen, select Nonprofit Managers: Update Your Info.



6. Enter your organization's EIN.



7. Select Update GIF.



8. When you have finished updating, be sure to click Submit (not Save for Later).



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42. The icons on your search results page do not work.

These icons are for informational purposes only; they give you an at-a-glance preview of the information available to GuideStar Plus users for a particular organization. To access an organization's report, click on its name.

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43. I signed in but I still can't view the Forms 990.

Check the links under GuideStar Plus on the left of the page. If they are gray, you have not logged in successfully. If they are blue, you have logged in correctly and should be able to access all GuideStar Plus information. Should you continue to have problems, please contact us at customerservice@guidestar.org or 1-800-784-9378.

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We welcome you to e-mail customer service or call us at 1-800-784-9378. If you represent a nonprofit, help us facilitate your request by providing your organization's EIN and name. Our operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.