Even if we don't rate a charity, you can still find basic information about it on its listing our site. That page will also include a link to the steps you can follow to conduct your own due diligence.
If you are a registered user of our site (this is free) and the charity meets our criteria for evaluation, then you can click on the Vote Now button on the charity's page on our site to vote for us to rate it.
You may also wish to use our advanced search tool to look for other charities that match your philanthropic interests.
For additional information, please take a look at Charity Navigator's CEO Compensation study.
However, failure to properly report CEO compensation information on a charity's form 990 will result in a deduction of points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score.
Visit the Methodology section of our site to read an in-depth explanation of our rating system.
Regarding the Form 990 Metrics: We are able to make updates to a charity's Accountability & Transparency data regarding some of the metrics without first receiving a new or amended Form 990. However, please note that this is a one-time override, and the next Form 990 filed by the organization needs to reflect these metrics accurately. The following metrics can be updated by your charity's official representative via our online charity input form:
Independent Board members: To update this metric, we require that all your Board members are listed on your charity's website and that there is a clear notation as to which ones are independent, voting members. You should also indicate the date that applies to their membership so we can determine if this is your current or prior Board composition.
Documents Board meeting minutes: You must publish one year's worth of minutes on your website so that our analysts can review it. You are permitted to remove confidential information.
Conflict of Interest policy: The policy needs to be listed on your website so that our analysts can review it.
Whistleblower policy: The policy needs to be listed on your website so that our analysts can review it.
Records Retention policy: The policy needs to be listed on your website so that our analysts can review it.
Process for determining CEO compensation: Your process must be published on your website even, if your CEO is an unpaid volunteer.
Compensation of Board members: If the compensation you reported on your Form 990 for a Board member is not related to Board work, then please contact us with an explanation. However, if your Board members pay meets the threshold for completing schedule L, then we will require a new or amended Form 990 to confirm.
Audited Financials prepared by Independent Accountant: If an Audit was completed by an Independent Auditor but the Form 990 was incorrect in stating one was not completed, then the Audit must be published on your website so that our analysts can review it.
As a reminder, in order to access and updated your online charity input form, your charity must first establish a registered representative.
We can not make updates to a charity's Accountability & Transparency data regarding the following metrics unless we have received a new or amended Form 990 from the IRS confirming the changes: Material diversion of assets, Loan(s) to or from related parties, Audit oversight committee, Copy of Form 990 provided to organization's governing body in advance of filing, CEO listed with salary.
If you did not see your question above, then please see our expanded list of FAQs.
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or by emailing us at: helpandsupport@charitynavigator.org