To verify a U.S. nonprofit, confirm its exact identity, check its federal tax records and relevant state solicitation registration, then review its programs, finances, accountability, and—if you plan to volunteer—the safety and supervision of the specific role. No single registry, rating, or overhead figure proves that an organization is effective or that a particular solicitation is genuine.
How do I know if a charity is legitimate?
Start with the organization’s exact legal or operating name, website, mailing address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN), if available. Similar names can belong to unrelated groups, and a genuine charity’s identity can be misused by an impostor.
If a fundraiser contacts you unexpectedly, do not rely on caller ID or links in the message. Find the organization’s contact information independently and ask whether it authorized the appeal. The FTC advises donors to research before giving and to check who will receive a payment. FTC: Before Giving to a Charity
Check federal tax status and deductibility
Search the exact name or EIN in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS). The tool provides federal tax-exempt status information and information relevant to whether contributions may be deductible; it also offers determination letters, revocation information, and available Form 990-series returns or Form 990-N filings. The IRS says TEOS was last reviewed or updated May 6, 2026.
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Do not treat the word “nonprofit” or tax-exempt status alone as confirmation that your gift is deductible. Not every tax-exempt organization is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. Confirm the exact entity and the IRS information relevant to the type of contribution you plan to make. Tax-deductibility is also separate from whether the organization’s work is effective or a solicitation is authorized.
Check state registration for the charity and fundraiser
Charitable solicitation rules depend on the state. Many states require charities and professional fundraisers to register, but requirements differ and some states do not require registration. Look up both the organization and any fundraiser with the relevant state charity regulator. The National Association of State Charity Officials directory can help you find state charity offices.
Registration is a compliance check, not an endorsement or quality rating. If a listing is missing, first check whether registration is required in the relevant state and whether you searched the correct legal name; then contact the regulator if the result remains unclear.
Assess the organization’s work and use of funds
Look for a concrete description of what the organization does, who benefits, and what a donation will support. If an appeal says a gift is restricted to a particular purpose, ask how that restriction is handled and what happens if the stated goal is met or cannot be carried out.
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Review available IRS returns and financial statements alongside program information. The FTC notes that these records can show revenue and broad allocations. They do not, by themselves, establish program impact. A single overhead percentage is not a reliable verdict: consider the organization’s stated work, evidence about its programs, governance, and operating context together. FTC guidance on fundraiser due diligence also highlights substantiating claims about who is helped and how much.
Use ratings and reviews as supporting evidence
Search the organization’s name alongside terms such as “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” “fraud,” or “scam.” The FTC points donors to evaluators including BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, Charity Navigator, and GuideStar/Candid. Their coverage and methods may differ, so a rating or absence of a rating is not a substitute for IRS records, regulator information, or direct evidence about programs.
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Where information is available, look for board independence, conflict-of-interest policies, and evidence of regular governance. You can also check whether regulators have taken legal or disciplinary action. The FTC’s detailed due-diligence guidance is directed to professional fundraisers; these are useful questions for donors, not a claim that every item is a universal legal requirement for every nonprofit.
Spot suspicious solicitations and pay safely
Pause and verify if an appeal pressures you to give immediately, uses a look-alike name, tells a vague emotional story without explaining how funds will be used, promises a sweepstakes prize, or claims you made a pledge you do not remember. Be particularly cautious if cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer is presented as the only way to pay.
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The FTC recommends safer payment methods such as a credit card or check, keeping a record, and checking your statements for the agreed amount and unwanted recurring charges. For an online gift, independently confirm who receives the money. HTTPS encrypts information in transit; it does not establish that a site or recipient is genuine. A crowdfunding donation may go to the campaign organizer rather than the nonprofit, so verify who controls the funds and whether the organization knows about or endorses the campaign. See the FTC’s Donating Safely and Avoiding Scams.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Evaluate a volunteer opportunity, not just the organization
Ask for a written role description and clarify who supervises the work, what training is provided, how to raise concerns, and what safety or insurance arrangements apply. A reputable organization should be able to explain the duties and the support appropriate to them.
For work involving children or other vulnerable people, ask what role-appropriate screening and safeguarding measures are used. Screening is not a standalone guarantee of safety. The U.S. Office of Justice Programs’ March 2021 guide for youth-serving organizations describes a layered approach that includes ongoing supervision, monitoring, and rescreening during involvement. Do not assume that a particular criminal-record check is legally available or appropriate for every volunteer role.
The Charity Commission’s safeguarding guidance applies to charities in England and Wales, not as U.S. law. It discusses assessing safeguarding risks and using eligible checks alongside references and interviews. In the United States, the applicable requirements depend on the role and location.
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Compare organizations against your priorities
When choosing among plausible organizations, use a short written comparison rather than relying on one score. Weigh the factors that matter to you:
- Cause and programs: Does the work match your aims, and are activities and intended beneficiaries described clearly?
- Legal and solicitation checks: Do IRS records support the claimed federal status or contribution eligibility, and is the solicitation registered where state law requires it?
- Financial transparency: Are filings or statements available and understandable, and do they fit the organization’s description of how gifts are used?
- Accountability: Is governance information available, and can the organization substantiate its campaign claims?
- Independent information: What do evaluators and credible complaint sources say, and what are their methods and coverage limits?
- Volunteer fit and safety: Are duties, supervision, training, and safeguarding suitable for the role and location?
For a practical sequence, complete identity and IRS checks first, check state requirements next, then review programs and finances. Investigate any unresolved concerns before making a gift or accepting a volunteer role. Keep the records or answers that informed your decision so you can revisit it if circumstances change.
Sources and jurisdiction notes
IRS TEOS information was last reviewed or updated May 6, 2026. The FTC consumer pages cited above were accessed October 4, 2026; the retrieved pages did not show a publication or revision date. The FTC fundraiser guidance is dated September 2025. State registration requirements, IRS records, evaluator coverage, and safeguarding rules can change, so check the live records relevant to the organization and your location.
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