We acknowledge that as a donor, you may feel skeptical about where your contributions go and how they are used. At Drive for Good, we believe that transparency is essential to building trust and inspiring confidence in our mission. This page outlines our rigorous multi-step verification process that every nonprofit must undergo before becoming a proceeds recipient.
Our commitment to transparency means that we don’t just take a charity at its word; we conduct thorough research and due diligence to ensure that they meet our high standards. By sharing these details, we invite you to understand how we work to ensure your donations are making a genuine impact.
✓Key facts you can verify
- All partners are verified as IRS 501(c)(3) public charities.
- State charitable registration must be current and valid.
- Program-expense ratio of 70% or higher is preferred.
- Annual Form 990 reviews ensure financial transparency.
- Verification through Charity Navigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
- Board governance assessed to eliminate conflicts of interest.
- Regular complaint-history searches are conducted for any flagged issues.
How it works, step by step
Initial Application
Nonprofits seeking partnership submit an application detailing their mission, programs, and financials. This helps us gather initial data to begin our vetting process.
IRS and State Verification
We verify the charity's IRS 501(c)(3) status using the IRS pub78 database and check for compliance with state charitable registration requirements specific to their operating state.
Financial Review
We assess the nonprofit's Form 990, focusing on a program-expense ratio of at least 70%. Nonprofits with ratios below 60% are rejected, ensuring funds are primarily used for programs.
Third-party Evaluations
Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar ratings are reviewed. We also check for an ECFA seal to confirm the charity meets strict financial accountability standards.
Ongoing Monitoring
Once approved, we conduct annual re-verifications including complaint-history checks and ensure the organization continues to meet our standards for governance and financial management.
Verify it yourself
✓ IRS Public Charity Status
How: You can verify the charity's IRS 501(c)(3) status by searching the IRS pub78 database, which provides public access to information about tax-exempt organizations.
✓ State Registration
How: Visit your state's Attorney General's website to verify if the nonprofit is registered to solicit donations in North Dakota and if their status is active.
✓ Form 990 Retrieval
How: Charities must file Form 990 annually. You can access these forms through Guidestar or the IRS to review their financial health and transparency.
✓ Third-party Evaluations
How: Use Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar to check ratings and transparency metrics, which can provide further assurance about the charity's credibility.
Real impact, real numbers
In the past year, Drive for Good has partnered with nonprofits that directly impacted over 5,000 families in North Dakota. By channeling $250,000 in donations, these organizations funded programs that provided essential services like food distribution and educational resources, serving a community in need. The result has been tangible improvements in local well-being and empowerment, reflecting the power of collective giving through transparent partnerships.
North Dakota oversight
In North Dakota, the Secretary of State maintains a charitable organization registry, providing a resource for checking the legitimacy of nonprofits. If you have concerns about a charity's practices, you can file a complaint with the North Dakota Attorney General's office. There are also local consumer protection resources available that offer guidance on how to evaluate a nonprofit's credibility.