To verify a nonprofit, confirm its exact identity, check its federal tax records and any state fundraising registration, then review its programs, finances and accountability. For volunteering, also verify the specific role’s supervision, training and safety arrangements. No single database, rating or overhead figure proves that an organization is legitimate or effective.
How do I know if a charity is legitimate?
Start with the organization itself, not a link or phone number in an unexpected appeal. Write down its exact legal name, website, mailing address and, if available, Employer Identification Number (EIN). Look carefully for similar names and domains. If a fundraiser says they represent a charity, contact the charity using details you found independently and ask whether it authorized the appeal. Caller ID is not proof of who is calling.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises people to research before giving. Its charity guidance covers identity checks, records, payment methods and warning signs.
Check federal tax records and state fundraising rules
Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
Search the exact organization in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS). It provides access to federal tax-exempt status information, eligibility to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions, Form 990-series returns, Form 990-N filings, determination letters and revocation information. The IRS page was last reviewed or updated May 6, 2026; check the live record because status can change.
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“Nonprofit” and “tax-exempt” do not automatically mean that every contribution is deductible. Confirm the exact entity and its contribution-eligibility information. Tax status also does not establish that an organization is effective, well run or a good match for your priorities.
Check state charity registration
Look up both the charity and any professional fundraiser with the charity regulator in the state relevant to the solicitation. Most states require charities and fundraisers to register, but rules differ and some states do not require registration. The National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) directory can help you find state charity offices.
Registration is a compliance check, not a quality rating. A missing listing may require follow-up rather than an immediate conclusion: first check the state’s rules and search using the correct legal name.
Assess the work, finances and accountability
Look for specific programs and use of funds
Find out what the organization does, who benefits, and what activities or outcomes it can describe. If an appeal says your gift will support a particular purpose, ask whether the gift is restricted to that purpose and how the organization will use it. Compare its explanation with available IRS returns and financial statements. Those records can show revenue and broad allocations, but they do not by themselves measure the value or impact of the work.
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Do not use one overhead percentage as a shortcut for judging success or failure. Consider financial information alongside program evidence, governance and the practical costs of delivering the work.
Use ratings and reviews as additional evidence
Search the organization’s name alongside terms such as “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” “fraud” or “scam.” The FTC points readers to evaluators including BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, Charity Navigator and GuideStar/Candid. Their coverage and methods can differ. Treat ratings and reviews as supplementary information, not replacements for government filings, regulator records or direct evidence about programs.
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Ask how the organization is governed
Where information is available, look for board members and whether independent members serve, conflict-of-interest policies, and evidence of regular meetings and minutes. Ask how the organization substantiates claims about who it helps and what results it achieves. You can also check whether regulators have brought lawsuits or taken disciplinary action.
The FTC discusses these checks in guidance for professional fundraisers, published in September 2025. They can inform a donor’s questions, but the guidance does not make every listed record a universal legal requirement for every nonprofit.
Verify a donation request before paying
Pause and check independently if an appeal uses pressure to give immediately, a look-alike name, a vague emotional story with no clear explanation of how funds will be used, a guaranteed sweepstakes prize, or a claim that you previously pledged money when you do not remember doing so. Be especially cautious if the only accepted payment is cash, a gift card, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer.
The FTC recommends paying by credit card or check, keeping a record of the gift, and checking your statements for the agreed amount and unwanted recurring charges. For an online donation, confirm independently who receives the payment. HTTPS encrypts information sent between your browser and a site; it does not prove that the site or recipient is genuine.
If you give through crowdfunding, check who controls the funds and whether the charity knows about or endorses the campaign. A contribution to a campaign may go to its organizer rather than directly to the named organization. The FTC’s donation-safety guidance explains additional ways to avoid scams.
Check the volunteer role as well as the organization
A legitimate organization may still offer a role that is a poor fit or lacks the support you need. Before committing, ask for the role description and who will supervise you. Clarify what training is provided, how to report a concern, and what safety risks or insurance arrangements apply.
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If the role involves children or other vulnerable people, ask what screening and safeguarding measures are appropriate for the duties and location. Screening should be part of a broader safety approach: a U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs guide for youth-serving organizations describes layered screening alongside continuing supervision, monitoring and rescreening. The guide is dated March 2021 and addresses youth-serving organizations; it is not a universal rule for all volunteer roles.
Requirements and available checks vary by jurisdiction and role. Charity Commission guidance on safeguarding applies to charities in England and Wales, not as U.S. law. Its guidance, last updated June 1, 2022, addresses assessing safeguarding risks and using eligible checks alongside references and interviews. Do not assume a particular criminal-record check is legally available or appropriate everywhere.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compare organizations against your priorities
When choosing between candidates, compare the dimensions that matter to your decision rather than relying on one score:
- Cause and program fit: Does the organization do work you want to support, and explain its programs concretely?
- Legal and solicitation checks: Do IRS records support the claimed federal status or deductible-gift eligibility? Is the solicitation registered where state rules require it?
- Financial transparency: Are filings and statements available and consistent with the organization’s explanation of how funds are used?
- Governance and accountability: Can you find relevant policies, board information, responses to complaints and support for campaign claims?
- Independent information: What do evaluators and credible complaint sources say, and what are the limits of their methods or coverage?
- Volunteer fit and safety: Is the role clear, supervised and trained, with safety practices suited to its duties and location?
Combine primary records, program information and your own priorities. If something important is unclear, contact the organization with specific questions before giving money or committing time.
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