501(c)(3) Status CheckerIRS Tax-Exempt Lookup
Verify any US nonprofit's IRS tax-exempt status by name or EIN. See their 501(c) classification, deductibility, and latest financials instantly.
Data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File
501(c) Classification
See the exact IRS subsection — 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), and more
Deductibility Status
Confirm whether donations are tax-deductible before giving or grantmaking
NTEE Category
Identify the organization's mission area using the IRS/NCCS classification system
What Is a 501(c)(3) Status Check?
A 501(c)(3) status check verifies that a US organization holds current IRS tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code — the classification that covers charitable, educational, religious, and scientific nonprofits. This is the status that makes donations to an organization tax-deductible for US donors and makes the organization eligible for most private foundation and government grants.
Our free tool lets you search by organization name or EIN and instantly see the 501(c) classification, deductibility status, IRS ruling date, NTEE mission category, and latest financial data from Form 990 filings — all sourced from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
What Each Field Means
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 501(c)(3) the same as tax-exempt?
Not exactly. 501(c)(3) is one type of tax-exempt status, but there are 29 different 501(c) subsections covering different kinds of organizations. What makes 501(c)(3) unique is that donations to these organizations are tax-deductible for donors — which is not the case for most other 501(c) types. So when funders or donors ask about tax-exempt status, they usually mean 501(c)(3) specifically.
Can a nonprofit lose its 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The IRS automatically revokes 501(c)(3) status if an organization fails to file required annual returns (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N) for three consecutive years. Status can also be revoked for engaging in prohibited political activity, providing excessive private benefit, or other compliance violations. Once revoked, an organization must apply for reinstatement — which can take months and is not guaranteed. Always verify status before making a significant grant or donation.
Why doesn't the organization appear in results?
There are a few reasons: the organization may have had its status revoked (and therefore been removed from the active exempt organizations database); it may be a newly approved organization whose record hasn't yet been added to the public database; or the name search may not match exactly — try searching by EIN if you have it, or try a shorter version of the name. Certain very small organizations (gross receipts under $50,000) file a Form 990-N (e-Postcard) and may have limited data in ProPublica's database.
How current is this data?
The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, which is updated periodically. For organizations where status may have recently changed — such as newly revoked or reinstated organizations — always cross-reference with the official IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov, which is updated more frequently. For most research and due diligence purposes, this tool is sufficient.
What is the difference between a public charity and a private foundation?
Both are 501(c)(3) organizations, but they operate differently. Public charities receive broad public support and are subject to less restrictive IRS rules. Private foundations are typically funded by a single source (an individual, family, or corporation) and must distribute at least 5% of assets annually for charitable purposes. This distinction matters for grantmaking: private foundations can make grants to public charities straightforwardly, but grants to other private foundations or non-501(c)(3) organizations require additional due diligence. The "foundation code" in IRS data distinguishes the two.
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