In response to your question, most 501(c)(3) organizations must file a tax information return with the IRS (that is, a 990-PF or a 990). The following exceptions apply (for the time being): "Tax-exempt organizations that have annual gross receipts not normally in excess of $25,000 are not required to file the annual information return. In addition, churches and certain religious organizations, certain state and local instrumentalities, and other organizations are excepted from the annual return filing requirement (IRS, Filing Requirements: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96103,00.html). No matter their asset size, however, all private foundations must file an annual information return with the IRS. For a detailed discussion of filing requirements of tax exempt organizations, please see page 8 in "Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization" (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf).
The IRS also explains its rules regarding regulating public disclosure of information; these regulations are summarized in the IRS publication, "Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations" (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4221.pdf):
- "A 501(c)(3) organization must make certain documents available for public inspection and copying upon request and without charge (except a reasonable charge for copying). The organization must disclose its exemption application (Form 1023) along with all supporting documents and a copy of the exemption ruling letter issued by the IRS" (p. 12).
- "An organization must disclose its annual information return (Form 990 series), with schedules, attachments, and supporting documents filed with the IRS. However, the organization does not have to disclose Schedule B of Form 990 or Form 990-T and does not need to identify its contributors. Returns need to be available for disclosure for only three years after the due date or filing date of the return, whichever is later" (p. 13). Schedule B lists contribtutors to a nonprofit and need not be disclosed; Form 990-T reports unrelated business income for a nonprofit.
Public disclosure requirements can be met both directly, as described above, and indirectly, as described in the IRS publication, "Publication 557: Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization" (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf):
- "An exempt organization does not have to comply with requests for copies of its annual returns or exemption application if it makes them widely available. However, making these documents widely available does not relieve the organization from making its documents available for
public inspection. The organization can make its application returns widely available by posting the application and returns on a World Wide Web page. ... If the organization has made its application for tax exemption and/or annual returns widely available, it must inform any individual requesting a copy where the documents are available, including the address on the World Wide Web, if applicable" (p. 15).
You might want to search for the foundation to which you refer in the following online directories of nonprofit organizations, in addition to the Foundation Center's "Foundation Directory Online" (https://fcsecure.fdncenter.org/fdo_signup_prof/about.php):
- Foundation Finder (http://lnp.foundationcenter.org/finder.html), where you can search by name, part of name, and EIN.
- Guidestar (http://www.guidestar.org)
- The Indiana State Attorney General's office regulates charities. Information about what this office does can be found here: http://www.indianaconsumer.com/consumer_guide/charitable_giving.asp
