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A GuideStar Seal of Transparency indicates that a nonprofit has provided key information in its Nonprofit Profile. By providing up-to-date information, nonprofits allow potential donors and funders to make educated decisions about the work they do to make the world a better place. 

ABOUT THE Seals

Nonprofits—Get Rewarded for Your Transparency

When you earn a Seal of Transparency, you provide context for the IRS information already in your organization's GuideStar Nonprofit Profile, give potential donors and funders better insight into your work, and stand out from the other nonprofits in our database. All by claiming your organization's profile and completing the required fields. The amount of information you provide determines which of our four Seals you earn. The best part? It's completely free!

GuideStarSeals_bronze_MED

Bronze Seal of Transparency

So you can be found

~15 minute update

  • Organization address, contact name, and e-mail
  • Mission statement
  • Name of organization leader and board chair
  • Program names, descriptions, and population served
  • Geographic area served by program
GuideStarSeals_silver_MED

Silver Seal of Transparency

So you can grow trust

~15 minute update

  • Audited financial report OR basic financial information
  • Bronze level requirements
GuideStarSeals_gold_MED

Gold Seal of Transparency

So you can tell others about your work

~15 minute update

GuideStarSeals_platinum_MED

Platinum Seal of Transparency

So you can show the difference you're making

~30 minute update

By claiming and updating your organization’s GuideStar Nonprofit Profile you are agreeing to our Terms of Use.

Update your GuideStar Nonprofit Profile for FREE today to earn a Seal of Transparency!

Update Now

resources

Looking for Resources to Help Earn You a Seal of Transparency?

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Required Fields PDF

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Claim & Update Video

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Community

faqs

Want to Learn More? Here Are Some FAQs

1

Is a Seal of Transparency a rating or endorsement by GuideStar?

No, it's not.  GuideStar is not a watchdog and we do not evaluate nonprofits. Our goal is to provide unbiased information to help donors and key stakeholders make educated decisions about nonprofits and the work they do.

 

A Seal of Transparency indicates that a nonprofit has updated its Nonprofit Profile by providing specific information. The Seal level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum) is determined by how much information the organization has shared. Again, it is not a rating or endorsement by GuideStar. 

If you think a nonprofit has uploaded incorrect or inaccurate information, please view our policies.

2

What does a nonprofit have to do to earn each Seal?

The Seals of Transparency are meant to build on each other. A nonprofit earns the Bronze Seal by providing basic information―mission, leadership team and board names, basic program information, etc. Once an organization has earned a Bronze Seal, it can share financial information to earn Silver; qualitative information about goals, strategies, and vision to earn Gold; and, finally, metrics to show the progress made toward its mission to earn our highest seal, Platinum. See all required fields for each Seal of Transparency.

3

Why do some Seals of Transparency have years on them?

In 2017, we started annual Seals of Transparency so you can see at a glance how fresh the information is. A Seal without a year means the organization has not updated since 2016, and it may be expiring soon. If an organization has not updated its Nonprofit Profile in more than two years, its Seal of Transparency will expire and will no longer be displayed.  

 

Here are some of the more than 6,000 organizations that have earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency:

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GuideStar is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,  EIN 54-1774039. Our mission is to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving.