How to Find a List of Nonprofit Organizations

Last Updated: December 11, 2022

There are many resources that provide the names and contact information of nonprofit organizations across the world. Whether you need a list of global nonprofit organizations or you just want to find a few local charities, your best bet is to use a search engine or nonprofit database, like GuideStar. Alternately, you could consult local leaders who might be knowledgeable about nonprofits you’re interested in, consult the IRS, or inquire at your local town hall.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Use the IRS Database to Find a List of Nonprofits

1
Visit the IRS’ Exempt Organizations Select Check. The EOSC is an online database which allows users to search for and select an organization which enjoys tax exemptions as level. You can access the EOSC through the IRS website.
2
Decide what kind of nonprofit you’re interested in. You can choose three options: those which are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations; those which have filed Form 990-N (a form for tax-exempt organizations whose annual gross receipts are less than $50,000); or those which have had their tax exempt status revoked.
- An organization whose tax-exempt status has been revoked might have had it reinstated at a later date.
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3
Enter the Employer Identification Number. The EIN is also known as the Tax Identification Number (TIN).
- If you do not know the EIN, you do not need to enter it, and can use other data to narrow your search.
4
Enter the organization’s name. If you know the organization’s name, or part of its name, you can enter it in the search bar. Alternately, if you’re looking for all organizations which address children’s health, rights, or care, you can simply enter “children” in the “Name” field search box and then narrow it by locale.
5
Enter the location of the nonprofits you’re interested in looking up. You can identify the location you’re interested in by city, state, or zip code. The IRS also has tax-exempt organizations listed for Israel, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Guam, the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau in addition to the US.
6
Enter the deductibility status. The deductibility status depends on the legal designation of the organization you’re searching for. If you have no preference as to what the deductibility status is for the nonprofit(s) you want listed, you can leave it in the default position (“All”).
7
Run your search. Press the search button at the bottom of the screen. Your results should come back quickly in a list featuring the EIN, name, location, and deductibility status of all tax-exempt organizations and nonprofits which meet your search criteria.
- Instead of running a search, you can download the entire list of tax-exempt organizations in a zip file through the following link: https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/data-download-pub78.zip.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Use GuideStar to Find List of Nonprofits

1
Visit GuideStar’s directory of charities and nonprofits. GuideStar is an organization which maintains a list of nonprofits and presents information their efficacy, legitimacy, and programming.^{[1]
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Research source} Their list can be accessed online at https://www.guideStar.org/NonprofitDirectory.aspx.
2
Search for the list of nonprofits you’re interested in. At the top of the directory page, there’s a search bar. Entering a keyword search, for instance, “Asian-American” will summon a list of all the nonprofits with the term “Asian-American” in their names. You can refine your search by clicking the words “Refine Your Search” to the left of the search bar. There you can filter nonprofits by location or GuideStar profile participation level.
3
Select which category the nonprofits you’re looking for correspond to. Instead of a direct search, you can choose which category the list of nonprofits you’re looking for falls under. This is useful if you’re searching for all the nonprofits which pertain to a subject but the nonprofit's name doesn't necessarily reflect their purpose.
- GuideStar recognizes nine categories of nonprofit types, each with several subcategories.
- Try searching for the list of nonprofits you desire under multiple headings. For instance, if you’re looking for nonprofits which celebrate Asian-American history and contributions, you might look under Public, Societal Benefit > Civil Rights and Liberties for a nonprofit which meets your criteria, but you could also look under Arts, Culture and Humanities > Humanities and Historical Societies for a relevant nonprofit.
4
Search similar databases. Great Nonprofits (http://greatnonprofits.org) and Nonprofit List (NonProfitList.org) are two online databases with similar search options and accessibility. Since each site collects and updates different information, it’s good to check a number of online nonprofit databases when assembling a list of nonprofits.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding a List of Local Nonprofits Through Alternative Sources

1
Consult your local directory. Look in your local phone book or community and business directory for a list of nonprofit organizations.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Check for a specific section in the directory that may list government agencies and nonprofit groups. Sometimes, they are listed in the yellow pages or in the middle of the book, in blue or grey pages.
- Nonprofits might also be in the white pages, listed in all capital letters and/or boldface type. Look for nonprofits listed in your community.
2
Inquire at the town hall for a list of tax-exempt nonprofits.^{[3]
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Research source} Many town halls keep records about local nonprofits, especially if they’re relatively large and wealthy. Such a list will contain info about real estate and buildings the nonprofit owns. You could also ask a clerk for a full list of nonprofits which have their own tax-exempt bulk mailing numbers, if these are organized separately.
3
Consult an expert in the relevant area. Experts in the relevant area might be community members, community leaders, policy makers, public figures, or academics.^{[4]
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Research source} For example, if you’re interested in obtaining a list of nonprofits relating to Asian-American experience or culture, you could consult local Asian-American community leaders, or university professors specializing in Asian-American culture and society.
4
Conduct an internet search. You can obtain a local list of nonprofit organizations by searching online. Open a search browser such as Google, Yahoo, or Bing. Enter the type of nonprofits you are looking for. For example, type in "nonprofit organizations serving children." You will get a list of organizations that help kids. You can also, for example, search "nonprofit organizations in Cincinnati, Ohio" for a more location-specific return.