1) Guidestar - What is it and how does it benefit non-profits? January 2006
 

One Minute Tutorial:  Using GuideStar.Org

Who are they, and what can they do for you?
GuideStar.org website is an online searchable database of financial (IRS Form 990) and other information for nonprofit organizations in the United States. Form 990 is an annual reporting return that certain federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. It provides information on the filing organization's mission, programs, and finances

Seeking information about Grantees:
GuideStar is most commonly used by grantmakers and donors wanting to check status or validity of an organization before they donate money.  Are you listed?  To find out, go to: www.guidestar.org.  If you are already registered, skip to Step 2.

Step 1.  New to the website?  Select “Register” to gain access to information.  There is no fee for registering.  Reply to the questions as they are asked.  You will be sent an email confirming completion of your registration.  You must reply to your email to continue your search.

Step 2. Once registered, return to www.guidestar.org, and select “Log In”. 

Step 3. This will bring you to the Log In page.  Type your E-mail and Password in the text box and select SUBMIT button to process.

 Step 4: Type your organization’s name into the “GuideStar It” text search box
NOTE:  You’ll receive another email thanking you for registering to GuideStar.  If you indicated that you are the person responsible for updating your organization’s information, you will receive the following message:

Thanks again for registering at GuideStar. You noted on our registration form that you're responsible (if you answered “yes” to this question) for updating your nonprofit organization's report. There are so many benefits to updating your nonprofit report that we want to help you take advantage of them all.

Step-by-step suggestions for getting the most out of GuideStar:

1. Search for your nonprofit organization using the GuideStar It! keyword box, or, for more options, choose Advanced Search.
2. IF you've never completed the GuideStar Information Form (GIF), the information that displays for your organization will be limited to IRS-provided data.
3. Scroll to the bottom of any page of our site, click Update Your Nonprofit Report, and follow the instructions. You'll need your organization's Employer Identification Number (EIN) to proceed.
4.  After you enter your EIN, you should see your organization's name at the top of the page. Click Update GIF in the column on the right side of the page.
5.  Fill in at least the required fields and click Submit. Your updated information will display on GuideStar within 48 hours.
6.  The next time you log in, you'll have access to GuideStar Select (a $300 value) as our way of saying "Thanks for completing the GuideStar Information Form!"
7.  You also have access to your organization's Printable Report, which contains financial information about your organization and is available only to GuideStar Premium subscribers. Click the link for Printable Report in the right column.
8.  Notice the other tools that are available to you in the right column. You can choose on-line giving options, create classified ads, and publish news releases at no charge.
9.  Explore our Products section for tools and services that will help you do your job easier and faster. For a nominal fee our new eDocs service lets you upload your most recent Form 990, letter of determination, audited financial statements, annual reports, and other documents that grantmakers and donors want to see.
Manage your account and access any additional products and services that you purchase by clicking My GuideStar.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at customerservice@guidestar.org or 800-784-9378. Our hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. eastern time.
Laurie Brown
Director, GuideStar Web Site

You can update your account information as necessary.  Remember, the information you provide will be viewed by foundations and grantors.  Your information can also be viewed by other Grantees.

Seeking information about Foundations and Grantors:

You may type the name of a foundation in the same GuideStar It space, to gain more information about who they are and what they have supported in the last filing of their 990 form.

For example:  Staples Foundation, is a nonprofit foundation that donates thousands of dollars in the surrounding Seattle area.  They are an established foundation, but you want more information. To find more information about the organization, type their name in the “GuideStar It” box, and select SEARCH.  Note: use quote (“) marks to view a shorter list.

You’ll see the results of your search in a list.

Click on the organization you wish to see.

You will be able to this  information online: Basic information on the organization will be listed, ie. Name, Address, IRS filing.  If you scroll down, you will see a listing linking you to the organizations latest Form 990’s.  Click on the 2003 Form 990, the link will take you to a picture of the 990 filed.
Scroll thru the Form 990. 

Towards the end of the document, you will find information about the organization requirements for applying for a grant

You will also find information on organizations they donated to, how much, and for what purpose.  This information will help you better understand the foundation and their passion to fund organizations.