The IRS maintains an “Exempt Organizations Select Check Tool” (available at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check ), which enables a user to search for organizations to determine their eligibility to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.

Actually, no! These terms are often used interchangeably, but they all mean different things. Nonprofit means the entity, usually a corporation, is organized for a nonprofit purpose. 501(c)(3) means a nonprofit organization that has been recognized by the IRS as being tax-exempt by virtue of its charitable programs.

GuideStar, 990 Finder or Foundation Directory Quick Start are Candid's free online tools, searchable by name, location, EIN, and more. You can find 990s from the last 3 years. Foundation Directory subscription plans also link to 990s. For most grantmakers, you can find 990s for the last 10 years.