Under California Assembly Bill 488 (AB 488), charitable fundraising platforms like Benevity are required to verify that nonprofits are in good standing before enabling donations from California donors. The quickest way to confirm your status is to check whether your nonprofit appears on any of the three regulatory non-compliance lists below.
If your nonprofit appears on any of these lists, platforms must restrict or pause supporting donations until your status is resolved. Learn more about how to keep your nonprofit in good standing.
Where to check your status
Check your nonprofit's status using the following official resources:
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California Attorney General (AG) — Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- The AG Registry maintains a "May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes" list, updated on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. You can also search the Registry Search Tool for your organization's full registration record.
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California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
- The FTB maintains a revoked exempt organizations list. If your organization appears here, your California tax-exempt status has been revoked.
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IRS
- Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm your federal tax-exempt status. You can also check the IRS automatic revocation list to see if your federal exemption has been revoked due to missed filings.
What if my status doesn't update after I file?
It's common for delays between completing your registration and having your status updated on regulatory lists. Here are a few reasons this can happen:
- The regulator's list hasn't refreshed yet — most update on a set schedule
- Your filing was incomplete or contained inconsistencies
- The issue was resolved with one regulator, but not yet reflected in another regulator's records
If your status still shows as non-compliant after the next expected refresh cycle, visit the California AG Registry for current forms and instructions. Once your status is updated, our platform will see the change on its next verification cycle.
For guidance on what filings are required to maintain good standing, visit How do I keep my nonprofit in good standing for California Assembly Bill 488 (AB 488) and eligible for disbursements?
Note: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. We recommend consulting your own legal advisor to understand how AB 488 applies to your organization.