GuideStar (now part of the new nonprofit organization called Candid) is a great resource for any nonprofit. This online database, which has been around since the mid-90’s, provides information ranging from mission statement to financials for more than 2.7 million charitable organizations in the United States.
Donors aren’t the only audience interested in your GuideStar profile. Volunteers, board members, and even grantors reference GuideStar to help determine if you’re a well-run, transparent organization.
One of the most important features that sets GuideStar apart from other similar online nonprofit databases are its Seals of Transparency. To promote trust and transparency to the public, nonprofits can earn Seals (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) based on how much information they provide on their GuideStar profile.
Meaning, the more you put out there, the higher you’re ranked.
Creating and maintaining a solid, information-packed profile and earning a Seal of Transparency isn’t just for looks. There are numerous benefits for your organization, including:
Updating your nonprofit’s profile on GuideStar is easy and worthwhile. Here’s how to get started.
Follow this link to connect to your organization’s GuideStar profile. You’ll be prompted to create your own account (if you don’t have one already). To complete the request, you must provide your organization’s EIN (Employer Identification Number) and other basic information about you and the organization.
It could take up to 2-3 business days to review your request for access to your organization’s page. Once you’re cleared, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
After you receive the confirmation email, you’re given immediate access your organization’s profile. From here, choose how much information you want to share with the public. This can include any of the following:
The more information you include, the higher you’re the Seal of Transparency you will earn. Below are the requirements for each level per the GuideStar site.
When you’re done inputting and have published your information, GuideStar will update your profile in within a day, if not much sooner.
GuideStar has radically changed the way their profiles are viewed.
In the days when supporters based all their decision to give on overhead costs, this information was front and center. Today, GuideStar profiles focus on impact, results, and sharing the big picture story of your nonprofit—which is great news for any organization making waves and promoting change.
This also means that you have both an avenue and the space to give a true representation of your cause, not just with numbers but with stories. So, take advantage of it!
For a more complete, optimal profile, follow these best practices:
For a deeper look into how to create a superb GuideStar profile, check out their GuideStar Profile Standards document.
To learn about updating your Charity Navigator profile, visit our post: How To Update Your Nonprofit’s Charity Navigator Profile.
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