Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice   graphic of hands
OFFICE OF THE AG PROGRAMS & SERVICES NEWS & ALERTS PUBLICATIONS CONTACT US SEARCH
REGISTERING WITH US CAREER OPPORTUNITIES LINKS TO STATE SITES


 
Charities
About Charities Search
Charities Search
Commercial Fundraiser
FAQs
Forms
Non-Profit Hospitals
Publications
Raffles
Statutes and Regulations
Contact the Registrar

About Charities Search - Disclaimer

This database contains information on the more than 80,000 registered charities in California. New images are being added on a regular basis as charities file their annual financial returns and charities register with the Registry of Charitable Trusts.

At minimum, you will be able to search for a Registered Charity to find the name, address and Registry file number of any charity registered with the Attorney General's Office.

Since we had to start somewhere amid thousands and thousands of pages of documents, the database provides you with access to the most recently filed financial returns of registered charities -- mostly reports filed with the year ending date after July 1, 1998.

The financial returns were scanned exactly as received from the charity. Please note that a "no match" response when searching for a financial report does not necessarily mean the charity in which you are interested does not exist or is not in compliance with existing laws and regulations. You can search for financial returns by using the Database Search.

For a copy of earlier financial returns filed by a charity, please fax your request to the Registry of Charitable Trusts at (916) 444-3651. There is a 30-cents a page copying and handling fee.

HIGHLIGHTS AS OF February 28, 2003

What forms are available for viewing?
Either IRS Forms 990, 990PF, or 990EZ.

How many charities are registered in California?
Total Registered Charities in California 85,455 

How are charitable assets distributed among these registered charities?
Total Charitable Assets Reported $202 billion 
Total Charitable Revenues Reported for Last Reporting Year $71.6 billion 
Total Registered Charities with Assets over $10 million
         Represents 89.26% Total Charitable Assets
1,525 
Total Registered Charities with Assets over $1 million
         Represents 97.99% Total Charitable Assets
7,120 
Total Registered Charities with Assets over $250,000 
         Represents 99.51% Total Charitable Assets
13,014 

How many California registered charities file informational tax returns (Forms 900, 990PF and 990EZ) with the Attorney General?
Total Registered Charities with Assets over $100,000 

Generally speaking, charitable organizations with assets greater than $100,000 file federal tax Form 990 (public charities) or Form 990PF (private foundations).
16,363 
Total Registered Charities with assets between $25,000 and $100,000

Generally speaking, charitable organizations with assets between $25,000 and $100,000 file federal tax Form 900EZ
26,209 

Why do small charities not file informational returns with the Attorney General? The IRS does not require any charity claiming less than $25,000 in total assets to file an informational return. Therefore, there are no Forms 990 or 990EZ available for these charities.
Total Registered Charities which claim assets less than $25,000 41,838 

Why doesn't the Attorney General have informational returns for schools, hospitals or churches?
Since 1965 the California Legislature has exempted nonprofit schools, hospitals and churches from filing any reports with the Attorney General. However, the Attorney General's Office has jurisdiction to investigate alleged mismanagement of assets belonging to nonprofit schools and hospitals.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND IRS FORM 990:

The Attorney General has prepared instructions for detailed review of a Form 990. This is contained in the Attorney General's Guide to Charitable Solicitation.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS - Provided as Informational Service Only

DISCLAIMER

The Attorney General's Office does not vouch for the accuracy of the financial returns filed by charities. The reports are scanned exactly as received from the charity. There is no federal or state requirement that charities prepare audited financial returns.

Attorney General Logo OFFICE OF THE AG | PROGRAMS & SERVICES | NEWS & ALERTS | PUBLICATIONS | CONTACT US | SEARCH
REGISTERING WITH US | CAREER OPPORTUNITIES | LINKS TO STATE SITES
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | © 2001 DOJ