What are Benevity's validation requirements for nonprofits?
Updated
Benevity validates nonprofit organizations in the following countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Below is a list of the organization types that are considered in those countries and the validation requirements for each. If your organization is located outside those countries, Benevity's in-house vetting experts apply jurisdiction-specific validation requirements. Contact Support for details about requirements in your region.
United States
Entity Type
Validation Requirements
501(c)(3) Public Charities
501(c)(3) Private Operating Foundations
Appearance in the IRS Business Master File of Exempt Organizations as in good standing, or,
A copy of an IRS letter of determination dated within the past four months
501(c)(3) Private Non-Operating Foundations
Appearance in the IRS Business Master File of Exempt Organizations as in good standing, or,
A copy of an IRS letter of determination dated within the past four months
Public Schools
Public School Districts
Appearance in the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) database, and,
A copy of the school or district’s W-9 with their associated EIN
Governmental Organizations
(e.g., municipalities and state governments and their subordinate departments)
A copy of the governmental organization/body’s W-9 with their associated EIN
The organization must confirm how funds are allocated to them. Either directly or channeled through a municipality or state government.
Religious Organizations
An IRS-issued document with both your church's name and EIN on it. The document can be an EIN assignment letter, a tax-exempt letter of determination, an annual return form, or any other IRS document with both the church name and EIN
Confirmation of the regular religious services provided by the organization, and,
Confirmation of a commercial, brick-and-mortar presence.
Canada
Entity Type
Validation Requirements
CRA Registered Charities
Appearance as “Registered” in the CRA Charities List, or,
A copy of the organization’s Charities Directorate letter conferring its charitable status, dated within the past four months
Appearance as “Registered” in the CRA’s “Municipal or public bodies performing a function of government in Canada” Qualified Donee Listings, or,
Appearance in the First Nations Directory maintained by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Federal Nonprofit Organizations
Appearance as “Active” in the Corporations Canada database with governing legislation as the “Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act,” or,
A copy of the organization’s Corporations Canada registration letter under the “Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act” dated within the past four months
Provincial Nonprofit Organizations
Appearance in the relevant provincial/territorial database as in good standing as a nonprofit, or,
A copy of the organization’s certificate of non-profit status with the province/territory as a nonprofit
Appearance as “Registered” in the UK Charity Commission/Scottish Charity Regulator/Jersey or Guernsey Charity Registries/Charity Commission for Northern Ireland database, or,
A copy of the organization’s Charity Commission/charity regulator letter conferring its charitable status, dated within the past four months
Excepted Charities
Documentation confirming the organization’s status as the relevant UK Excepted Charity type, and,
A copy of their HMRC letter with their reference number
English and Welsh Schools:
UK academies; Sixth form colleges; Voluntary aided; Converter academy; Voluntary controlled; Academy sponsor; Foundation trust schools
Appearance in the Government of the UK school database under one of the eligible types at left, and,
The cause’s agreement with a statutory requirement statement
A copy of the organization’s HMRC letter confirming their inclusion in the CASC Tax Scheme
Exempt Charities
Documentation confirming the organization’s status as the relevant UK Exempt Charity type, and,
A copy of their HMRC letter with their reference number or their Gift Aid certificate
Other UK Nonprofits
Organizations:
Community Interest Companies
Charitable Incorporated Organizations (that do not appear in Charities Commission database)
Football Association Affiliates
Companies Limited by Guarantee with a Public Benefit Purpose
Community Benefit Societies
Charitable Trusts
Appearance in the Companies House database as a nonprofit organization type in good standing, or,
Appearance in the Football Association’s list of affiliated clubs, or,
A copy of the organization’s constitution/articles of association as filed with the local governing body, which states a public benefit purpose and contains a proper dissolution clause
Ireland
Entity Type
Validation Requirements
Registered Charities (Possessing an RCN)
Appearance in the Irish Charities Regulator database, or,
A copy of the organization’s Charities Regulator letter conferring its charitable status, dated within the past four months
Schools
Appearance in the Government of Ireland Education database
Sports Bodies with Tax Exemption
Appearance in the Irish Revenue Sports Bodies listings, or,
A copy of the Games and Sports section letter issued by Irish Revenue
Australia
Entity Type
Validation Requirements
Australian Charities with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Item 1 Status
Appearance in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission database, and,
Confirmation of DGR Item 1 Status in the Australian Business Register database
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits without DGR Item 1 Status
Appearance in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission database
AOTEAROA/New Zealand
Entity Type
Validation Requirements
Registered Charitable Organization
Appearance in the New Zealand Charities Register
Certificate of Incorporation under the Charitable Trusts Act