Non-Profit Resources - SPE 103 - Christy Carter - Fall 2024

Charity Watch
From their website "CharityWatch serves only the interests of the donating public—donors just like you. CharityWatch's ratings do not merely repeat what a charity reports about itself in its "impact" reports or tax filings using simplistic or automated formulas. "
Charity Navigator
With nearly 200,000 charities rated, our comprehensive ratings shine a light on the cost-effectiveness and overall health of a charity’s programs, including measures of stability, efficiency, and sustainability. The metrics inform donors of not just where their dollars are going but what their dollars are doing.
990 Finder
Look up the 990 tax forms filed by non-profits.
YouTube
Animal Charity Evaluator
Animal Charity Evaluators (ACE) uses evidence and reason to serve people who want to help animals. Trillions of animals experience extensive but avoidable suffering on farms and in the wild, which motivates our team to contribute to a world where all animals can flourish regardless of their species. We work toward this by identifying where donations can best help animals and awarding grants to promising projects that help animals around the globe.

Nonprofits	For-profits
Mission: These organizations exist to help people or the community in some way. Think charities, schools, or groups that tackle big issues like poverty or the environment.	Mission: These companies are all about making money. They sell stuff or provide services, aiming to earn more money than they spend.
Ownership: Nobody owns a nonprofit. They're run by a group of people (a board) who make sure the organization does what it's supposed to do.	Ownership: Someone or a group of people owns a for-profit company. They invest money in it and hope to make a profit.
Revenue Generation: They get money from donations, grants, or sometimes by charging for services. Any extra money they make goes back into the organization to help more people.	Revenue Generation: These companies make money by selling things or offering services. The goal is to make more money than they spend so the owners can keep some of the profit.
Tax Status: They often don't pay taxes because they're doing good things for society. Also, people who donate to nonprofits might get a tax break.	Tax Status: These companies have to pay taxes on the money they make.
Reporting: They have to follow certain rules about how they spend money and report what they're doing. This helps keep them accountable to the public and donors.	Reporting: They also have rules to follow, but it's more about making sure they're making money legally and paying taxes.

Checklist to identify nonprofit organizations:

Does the organization have a clear mission that aims to benefit society or a specific cause, like helping people in need, promoting education, or protecting the environment?
Is the organization owned by shareholders or individuals who receive profits, or is it governed by a board of directors or trustees who ensure that any surplus funds are reinvested into the organization's mission?
Does the organization rely on donations, grants, or fundraising events for its income, rather than primarily generating revenue through selling goods or services?
Is the organization recognized as tax-exempt by the government, meaning it doesn't pay certain taxes because it operates for charitable, educational, religious, or other socially beneficial purposes?
Does the organization have a board of directors or trustees responsible for overseeing its activities and ensuring it remains focused on its mission, rather than being owned or controlled by individuals for personal gain?
Does the organization provide transparency about its financial activities and use of funds, typically through annual reports, financial statements, or public filings?
Is the organization focused on serving the public interest or addressing societal needs, rather than generating profits for owners or shareholders?

Questions to consider for your persuasive speech assignment:

Mission and Purpose: What is the nonprofit's mission and long-term goals? How do they align with my personal values and interests?
Volunteer Opportunities: What volunteering opportunities does the nonprofit offer? How do these opportunities align with my skills, interests, and availability?
Impact and Outcomes: What impact has the organization made in its area of focus? How do they measure success and outcomes?
Sustainability and Growth: How sustainable are the organization's initiatives and projects? Are there prospects for long-term engagement and personal growth?

How to Use Wikipedia to Research Nonprofit Organizations

Initial Research: Search for the nonprofit organization's name on Wikipedia.
Review the Wikipedia Page: Assess the content on the page to understand the organization's history, mission, activities, notable achievements, and other relevant details. Make note of any citations provided in the article.
Check Citations and References: Click on the citations provided in the Wikipedia article to verify the information and ensure it is from reliable sources. These references can be used to dive deeper into the organization's history and accomplishments.
Cross-Verification: For critical or key information, cross-verify details from the organization's official website, financial reports, press releases, or other credible sources. It’s important to double-check facts from multiple reputable sources.
Check the Page History and Discussion: Wikipedia keeps a history of changes made to articles. Review the "Page history" and "Talk" sections to understand any previous edits, corrections, or debates about the information.
Note Reliability: Evaluate the reliability of the sources used in the Wikipedia article to ensure the information is accurate and not based on opinion or unreliable data.
Use Additional Online Resources with the Oakton Library: Explore official reports, news articles, academic papers, and other sources to gain a broader understanding of the organization's activities, achievements, and areas of impact.

"Nonprofit organizations" "Charitable organizations" "NGOs" (Non-Governmental Organizations) "501(c)(3)" (Refers to a specific IRS designation for nonprofit organizations in the U.S.) "Voluntary organizations" "Social sector" "Community organizations" "Civil society organizations" "Philanthropy"	"Nonprofit management" "Social impact organizations" "Foundation sector" "Charitable contributions" "Nonprofit leadership" "Fundraising strategies"