Where to Find & Navigate Nonprofit 990 Reports

Have you come across nonprofit 990 reports in your grant search? We all know that grants are competitive, but did you know that nonprofit 990 reports are packed with vital information? Above all, this document will help you determine if a grant is suited for your cause. With the 990s tool in your grant-seeking toolbox, you will have a leg up on your competitors. Lucky for you, GrantWatch makes it easy to find all the information you need about potential grant-giving foundations. What’s more, this comprehensive tool simplifies your search and makes it possible to clearly identify grant-giving trends.

What is A 990 Report?

Registered tax-exempt organizations file a tax return called a 990. This document is filed annually with the IRS to comply with federal regulations. A 990 report, simply put, is a report of a nonprofit’s public tax forms. Above all else, they offer vital data about the funder. It may seem daunting at first, but the form is easy to read if you know what to look for. In short, a 990 will give you useful data like:

• The foundation’s mission statement.
• Board members and key personnel involved in the foundation.
• Contact information for the organization.
• The foundation’s size and assets.
• The total annual monetary amount they award.
• The total number of awards granted.
• Details on award recipients, grant amounts, and the utilization of funds.

How To Find Nonprofit 990 Reports

Many people use GrantWatch’s 990 Finder and Foundation Search as their preferred tool to locate nonprofit 990 reports. It’s the “ace up your sleeve,” so to speak. Having access to the funder’s past financial information saves you from getting lost in rivers of IRS data. Using this tool, you can locate areas of interest for the foundation. To begin exploring, enter a foundation’s name or utilize keywords to refine your search. Customize your search by specifying criteria such as exact word or phrase matches, mission statement searches, and grant purposes. In addition, you can include other aspects like total assets, revenue, state, and category. Plus, you can save your intelligent search filters for later use.

How Can 990s Help You Navigate Your Grant Search?

Before writing a grant, it’s always in your best interest to learn as much about potential funders as you can. Utilizing nonprofit 990 reports expedites this process. When you’re ready, check your own organization’s eligibility and consider how much funding you need. Then, look at the donor foundation’s mission and grant-giving history. Pay close attention to their donation trends, that is, who they give to and how much they give. The key to success is to ensure your nonprofit’s mission and funding needs align with those of the donor foundation. Auditing the raw information contained in 990 reports helps you make the determination of how much to ask for in your proposal. While the 990 tool is extremely useful when searching for grants, it is also a good way to find common ground with donors. And perhaps the best part is that making these connections will help you build lasting relationships with potential funding organizations

How To Read a 990

A 990 is a multifaceted tool for your organization, with many angles to inspect, and a lot of information to consume. Because of this, often times individuals are not sure what to look for when reviewing a 990 report. Don’t fret! We are here to help. At the top of the 990 form, you’ll find the organization’s name, address, phone number, website, and description. Another crucial section of the 990 is Part XV, lines 3(a) and 3(b). This section outlines the grants paid out. This data offers a view of the types of grants and grantees favored by the foundation. You may also focus on a funder’s mission to understand their core values. Experts also encourage grant-seekers to learn about board members to understand the organization’s culture. Knowledge is power, and the power is in your hands with a 990 report.

GrantNews Notes

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