When is the last time you updated your Guidestar entry?

Published January 15, 2009 @ 06:34AM PT

Web 2.0 fundraising is built upon and empowered by the Guidestar database. Change.org, Network for Good, and Facebook Causes (just to name a few!) are all pulling your organization's information directly from Guidestar. If you have old information inside of Guidestar, then you have old information on Change.org, Network for Good, Facebook, etc. This includes your organization's mailing address... donations made to your organization through Web 2.0 websites are mailed to the address listed in Guidestar!

I worked at nonprofits from 1997-2006 and updating Guidestar was one of those "To Do's" that was always last on my list. In the era of Web 2.0 fundraising, that just can not be the case. Nonprofits need to understand the importance of keeping your Guidestar entry current.

If you have not updated your entry in Guidestar recently, please visit Guidestar's Nonprofit Resources.

It's also important to understand that nonprofits that are not in Guidestar can not fundraise online using Web 2.0 websites, and thus will be very limited in their choice for online fundraising the Web 1.0 way i.e, "Donate Now" buttons. You will be mostly limited to using services that use PayPal, and many online donors just refuse to donate via PayPal.

If you are not sure whether your nonprofit is in Guidestar, please visit Guidestar .org and in the "Search" box enter your EIN number with the dash [XX-XXXXXXX]. If nothing comes up, then your organization is not in Guidestar (the same is true if you are a fiscally-sponsored project).

To get in Guidestar's database, just fax your determination letter from the IRS to Guidestar at 757-229-8912 with a cover letter that reads "To: Customer Service" and "Re: Please add us to your database." Guidestar's direct number is 800-784-9378 in case you need to call them. The process takes 24-48 hours.

Good luck! The good news is you only have to update Guidestar once a year... and January is the perfect time to do so.

Share this Post

Comments (13)

Is there any data to show that donors donate less on PayPal vs other payment gateways?

Posted by BUZZING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION on 01/18/2009 @ 07:22AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by BUZZING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
I don't know of that data... but I know many Web 2.0 donors and fundraisers that I have worked with over the year will not donate via PayPal... because anyone can sign up for a PayPal account. NFG and Guidestar verify that the nonprofit is a legal 501c3.

Posted by Heather Mansfield on 01/19/2009 @ 09:33AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Heather
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
I second going to Guidestar and making sure that your data is correct!

Posted by Tom Murphy on 01/21/2009 @ 11:01AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Tom
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
NFG is great, and the API has allowed some cool apps (I currently have a birthday cause on FB). The one catch is that the processing fees are higher than going through PayPal (or most other payment gateways). Also, PayPal has non-profits verify 501(c)3 status and gives disscounts for them - https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/Marketing/merchant/PayPalNonProfits-outside

Posted by BUZZING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION on 01/22/2009 @ 04:01AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by BUZZING FOR CHANGE FOUNDATION
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
This is great, but you should be aware that Guidestar is transitioning to their new system and updates are closed until February 2, 2009!I fully agree that this is a great tool and getting better!!!

Posted by California Native Plant Society on 01/22/2009 @ 11:04AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by California Native Plant Society
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
The GuideStar Information Form (GIF)Key Dates for Updating Your Nonprofit ReportWe are excited about the launch of a new, dynamic nonprofit program—the GuideStar Exchange. The GuideStar Exchange lets you bring your GuideStar report to life by adding logos, photos, videos, reviews, and more—all at no cost to you. Now donors and funders can see, hear and experience firsthand the good work you do every day.Between January 22 and February 1, you will be unable to make any changes to your current GIF while we automatically transfer your information directly to your GuideStar report. When you access your Information Form on February 2, you will be able to start using all of the new GuideStar Exchange features.Here are the key dates:January 22 - February 1, 2009—Update function closed.February 2, 2009 —Target date for GuideStar Exchange launch.We look forward to welcoming you to the GuideStar Exchange in February.http://www.guidestar.org/npo/index.jsp?source=myguidestar

Posted by Hannah's Socks, Inc. on 01/22/2009 @ 11:05AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Hannah's Socks, Inc.
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
You mention that fiscally sponsored projects won't show up in Guidestar. Is there a way to have them show up?

Posted by J A on 01/22/2009 @ 08:41PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by J
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Thank you for the reminder to update our info with GuideStar.

You were already a member with our Orphans and Orphanages MySpace profile and I just became a fan of yours on facebook, but I am not familiar with twitter.
http://www.hearthtohearth.org

Posted by Scot Harvey on 01/26/2009 @ 05:13AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Scot
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
The Guidestar/Charity Navigator analysis models actually hurt some non-profits, especially those doing capital campaigns or those who hold purchased private land in trust for short times in order to donate it back to the public. On these "capacity ratings" based models, the donation of the land back to the good of society is marked as a loss in assets from year to year. So, a good thing is marked as a bad thing when you just look at the numbers. I wish both groups would spend more time educating donors on the importance of understanding the *work* non-profits do as well as their numbers.

Posted by Barbara Christensen on 01/28/2009 @ 10:53AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Barbara
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
You state that "The process takes 24-48 hours." to upload your information on Guidestar. You might want to note that Guidestar often does not respond to emails to customer service, and has lost faxed EIN's in the past. The best way to get your EIN to Guidestar is to email a copy of it to them.

It took my nonprofit more than a month to get listed with them because of their "transition" to a new platform.

Posted by Maggie Juliano on 03/23/2009 @ 11:33AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Maggie
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
I learnt about good work of Heather for non profits through this blog as well about change.com I wonder if Heather can include our URL on various web sites for non profits and could help us in this endeavour too, details on www.helpchildrenofindia.org.uk and frequent updates on http://gchvols.pbwiki.com

Posted by BK Sharma on 03/27/2009 @ 01:51PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by BK
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Hi Heather,

Thanks for your post, however I have a question... how often do you pull information from Guidestar? We are up to date on their site and have been for more than a month, but it's not yet reflected on Change.org. Please advise!

Posted by Humane Research Council on 05/12/2009 @ 10:44PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Humane Research Council
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Very interesting. However I am quite suprised to learn that Guidestar is only for american organisastions and although guidestar international is forming I can find no Danish alternative to allow my Non-profit organisation to benefit from web 2.0 fundraising capabilities. If anyone has any ideas, do share!

Posted by Stephan Viftrup on 08/03/2009 @ 06:58PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Stephan
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply

Add a Comment

For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

Comment

Check Spelling

Email me when there are new posts to this thread
Comment Policy

Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

Author

Heather is the Nonprofit Community Manager for Change.org. She also created and maintains the Nonprofit Organizations MySpace, Nonprofit Organizations Facebook Page, Nonprofit Organizations YouTube Channel, and the Nonprofit Organizations Twitter profile. Fueled by a strong passion for the Internet, Heather spends her days helping nonprofit organizations utilize the Internet as a tool for social change.