Better Business Bureaus (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org) 
The Alliance reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations that are the subject of donor inquiries. These reports include an evaluation of the subject charity in relation to the provisions of the voluntary BBB Standards for Charitable Accountability. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance also offers guidance on making informed giving decisions and publishes the quarterly Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide .

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (www.ecfa.org)
Since evangelical Christian organizations may have a religious exemption from registering with the IRS, ECFA assists its member organizations in making appropriate public disclosure of their financial practices and accomplishments, thus enhancing their credibility and support potential among present and prospective donors. 

GuideStar (www.guidestar.org)
A database that contains information on nonprofit organizations nationwide. Guidestar provides copies of complete IRS Forms 990 for many nonprofits.  

Hands on Twin Cities (www.handontwincities.org)
Hands on Twin Cities helps individuals find volunteer opportunities.  With over 9,000 local volunteer opportunities, Hands on Twin Cities has something for everyone. Search the on-line database of opportunities, review weekly highlights, or sign-up for a monthly e-newsletter of volunteer opportunities.

Leave A Legacy (TM) Minnesota (www.leavealegacyminnesota.org)
A collaborative effort to educate the public and promote the idea of giving through bequests and estate plans by increasing awareness of and interest in charitable planning.

Minnesota Attorney General's Charities Division (www.ag.state.mn.us)
Guide to Minnesota charities laws and resources. The Charities search is a complete listing of name, address, contact person and summary information from IRS Forms 990 for every nonprofit organization registered to solicit in MN. (NOTE: Many religious nonprofit organizations are exempt from registering with the state or the IRS).

Minnesota Secretary of State's Office (www.sos.state.mn.us)
The Secretary of State files and records original and amendment documents for all nonprofits (and other companies) doing business in Minnesota. It also records trademark and assumed business names. Note: Organizations that are located elsewhere, but fundraise in Minnesota may not have to file documents with the Secretary of State even though they are required to register with the Attorney General. 

The One Percent Club (www.onepercentclub.org)
The One Percent Club strives to increase philanthropy in our community by encouraging people of means to adopt a new standard of giving. The Club encourages members to contribute 1% or more of net worth annually or 5% of annual income, whichever is greater, to tax-deductible causes. 

Wall Watchers (www.wallwatchers.org)
Wall Watchers is an independent donor advocate working on behalf of the many donors who do not have the necessary resources and time for extensive  research about Christian ministries.

If your organization or company would like to be listed on this page, please e-mail the Council at info@smartgivers.org.

NOTE: The Charities Review Council does not recommend or endorse the sites listed above and bears no responsibility for the content of any sites to which we have provided links.