Compare and Contrast/ Nonprofits
Use this resource page as you begin your research on nonprofit organizations.
- Compare/ Contrast Nonprofit AssignmentState how two things, places, people, or experiences are similar (comparison) and how they are different (contrast). Provide facts, other interpretations, and your own analysis.
- Researching Nonprofits Venn DiagramUse this as you research to compare and contrast your nonprofit organizations.
- Graphic Organizer-- Compare/ ContrastUse this as you research to compare and contrast your nonprofit organizations.
Identifying Nonprofits
- Guidestar.orgdatabase of 2 million nonprofit organizations. Register for free to get the most information out of this database.
- idealist.organ interactive site for exploring community resources & nonprofits
Analyzing Nonprofits
- Charity NavigatorUse to see evaluation of charity.
- Charity WatchUse to see evaluation of charity.
- BBB Wise Giving AllianceUse to see evaluation of charity.
- Best and Worst Charities for Your DonationsImportant tips to keep in mind from Consumer Reports, December 2017.
- The 50 Worst Charities in AmericaHow to Keep from Being Scammed, April 12, 2017
Find a Nonprofit's Homepage
Search Google to locate your nonprofit organization's homepage.
From the homepage, you can research organization history, programs, news, and contact information.
Find News about a Nonprofit
- Newspaper Sourcearticles from various newspapers, including the Arizona Daily Star (09/29/2001 to present), as well as TV and radio transcripts
- ProQuest Newspapersarticles from various newspapers, including the New York Times (2002-current)
- MasterFILE Premier This link opens in a new windowarticles from Popular magazines, scholarly journals, and more
- Tucson Weeklyhome of a local newspaper, includes free access to all archives
- Inside Tucson Businessfree online archives
Citing Form 990s
How to cite an IRS form in MLA format. --Kris Swank, Librarian, NW Campus"
Government. Department. Agency. "Document title." Web site title. Publisher/sponsor. Publication date. Medium. Date of Access.
Example:
United States. Department of Treasury. Internal Revenue Service. "2004 Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990): American Cancer Society." 990 Finder. Foundation Center, 2006. Web. 14 October 2010.
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization SearchUse the IRS's web site to locate a non-profit organization's Tax Form 990. Search by the organization's EIN (Employer Identification Number) or exact Organization Name.
(Better results with the EIN!)
Practice Activity
Let's practice looking at three charities: Veteran Support Foundation, Ben's Bells, and the Susan G. Komen foundation. Here are the websites for those organizations:
1. Veterans Support Foundation
2. Ben's Bells
Things you should look for:
- Background information on each nonprofit
- What is the history of the organization?
- What is its purpose?
- Is it local, national, or international?
- How much money goes to charitable activities?
- Can you verify any of this background?
- What do others say about this organization?
Citation Tools
Use at your own risk, and be sure to check your work!
- Citation Machine (MLA)
- EasyBib
(Free for MLA. Requires subscription for other formats.) - PCC Library MLA 8 Handout (PDF)