Article: Helpful Tips For Finding Charities in Groundswell

Struggling to Find a Charity in Groundswell? Here’s Your Complete Guide to Help you Find the Charities you Care About Most!

With over 1.5 million U.S.-based charities and 300,000 international charities in our database, chances are the organization you’re looking for is already available in Groundswell. To help you find the charities important to you, follow these tips to refine your search:

Tips for Finding Charities in Groundswell

1. Search Using the Charity’s Legal Name
   • Groundswell’s database is synced with the IRS records, so charities often appear under their official, registered names. Ensure you use the full legal name for accurate results.
   • For international charities, Groundswell leverages the database from our partner CAF America.
2. Avoid Special Characters in Names
   • Registered charity names typically exclude special characters (e.g., &, !). Remove these for better search accuracy.
3. Search by EIN (Employer Identification Number)
   • EINs are unique to each organization and guarantee accurate results. Input the EIN into Groundswell’s search bar, and if the charity appears, you can trust it’s the correct one!
   • Need help finding an EIN? Check the guidance below for tips on locating a charity’s EIN!
4. Use Filters to Narrow Results
   • For charities with common names (e.g., United Way), use location-based filters to refine your search:
     • Enter the charity name in the search bar and press Enter.
     • Filter results by location:
       • Select the country.
       • Choose the state.
     • You should now see the specific chapter or branch of the charity. Note - this is often the best way to find your local school PTA.

How to Find a Charity’s EIN

If you don’t have the EIN handy, here’s how to locate it:

1. Use a Search Engine
   • Search for the charity name + EIN. For example, type “Team Rubicon + EIN” into Google.
2. Check the Charity’s Website
   • Look in these common locations:
     • Footer of the website.
     • “About Us” section.
     • “Financials” or similar reporting sections.
3. Use Charity Navigator
   • Search for the charity on Charity Navigator. Most profiles include the EIN.

Still Can’t Find Your Charity?

If your charity isn’t showing up, you may need to request that it be added to Groundswell through our New Charity Request Form. Here are some reasons a charity might not appear:

1. It’s a Newly Registered Charity
   • Recently registered charities may take time to appear in the IRS and CAF America feed and in Groundswell.
2. It’s a Church or School
   • Many churches and schools are not required to register with the IRS, but they have an “inherent” tax exempt status, so most donations to them tax-deductible. So if you can’t find them in Groundswell, we need to vet and then manually add them.
3. It’s Not an Eligible 501(c)(3) Organization
   • Only 501(c)(3) organizations that are in good standing with the IRS and eligible to receive tax-deductible donations are eligible for inclusion in Groundswell’s database.
     • There are some charities that may have a “tax exempt” status but donations to them are not always tax-deductible for the donor.

What Happens Next?

Each new charity request undergoes a vetting process. If the charity meets eligibility requirements, it will be added to the database. Otherwise, Groundswell won’t be able to include it.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure a smoother process and a higher chance of finding or successfully adding the charity you’re looking for!