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?
Total Registered Charities which claim assets less than
$25,000 |
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.
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
- BBB Wise Giving Alliance - Give.org
- IRS - search for an exempt organization on the IRS web site
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.
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