Research Charities

Charities and donors can use this page to search for a charity. The information provided will indicate whether the organization is registered and in compliance with reporting requirements. You can also view a charity’s profile, their past annual report filings, information about their bingo activities, and fundraising campaigns conducted by professional solicitors on the charity’s behalf.

Search Criteria

Organization Name/DBA

Employer Identification Number

Organization Purpose Category

City

State

Zip Code

County

Search Results

Search results
Columns Organization Name, DBA Name, EIN , Organization Purpose Category, City, State, Zip, County, In Compliance
Organization Name	DBA Name	EIN	Organization Purpose Category	City	State	Zip	County	In Compliance	Details
No organizations found

Learning about an organization and its activities can help donors make wise giving decisions. In addition to checking whether an organization is in compliance with its reporting requirements with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, other good sources of information include:

The IRSs Exempt Organizations Selection Check can be used to verify if an organization has a valid 501I(3) or other tax-exempt designation. The IRS also lists organizations that have had their tax exempt status revoked.
The organization’s IRS Form 990 will include information regarding how the group raises and uses its funds, and other operational details about the group. Important details to pay attention to include the percent of expenditures that are used on program expenses rather than management and fundraising expenses. Descriptions of programs and expenses are often revealing, as well as reported information about travel and compensation levels. Self-dealing transactions between the charity and one or more of its directors should also be examined.
Private watchdog organizations often review data and reports on organizations and may grade them based on various spending standards and other procedures. Some of those groups are CharityWatch, Charity Navigator, GuideStar and the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Your local Better Business Bureau may also be a resource and can be identified through the Wise Giving Alliance link above.
Internet searches can often reveal useful information about accomplishments of the organization, or information about questionable activities.
The organization’s written and web-based materials can also be an important source of information.