Boost Your Church’s Visibility: Get Listed on GuideStar

Confirming 501(c)(3) Status through GuideStar for Churches Not Listed on the IRS Select Check Database.

We understand that visibility is crucial for churches to gain trust and support from potential donors, partners, and grant-givers, which is why maintaining and confirming 501(c)(3) status is critical for United Methodist ministries. This status not only exempts your church from federal income tax but also assures donors that their contributions are tax-deductible. Typically, the IRS Select Check database is the go-to resource for verifying this status. However, churches that fall under The United Methodist Church Group Tax Exempt Ruling (UMC Group Ruling) are not likely to be listed on the IRS Select Check, per the IRS.

Despite this, there are strategies available to help church organizations gain visibility. This is why we recommend listing your church on GuideStar. GuideStar is an online directory of U.S. charities and nonprofit organizations. Being listed on GuideStar can help verify your organization’s 501(c)(3) status with donor organizations like Meta, PayPal, Network for Good, and Vanguard Charitable. GuideStar is known for consistently updating their list of nonprofit organizations.

Wondering how to list your church on GuideStar? It's simple:

1. Visit www.UMGroupruling.org.

2. Click on the application, find your church, and update information if needed.

3. Select “YES” to be listed on GuideStar.

4. If for any reason you do not see a box to select, then it means you are already listed. But as a double check we recommend going to https://www.guidestar.org/  and making sure your church information is up to date.

   
   

Once you select “Yes” please provide the founding year of your church (optional) and the full name of your Pastor or Senior Officer serving as the contact person. Ensure all information is accurate, select the confirmation checkbox, and submit the form.

Once you receive an updated letter and ask to be listed on GuideStar, it typically takes 2-3 weeks for your organization to appear on the GuideStar website. Once listed, you can "claim your profile" and create a free account. This will allow you to update information as changes occur within your organization. For those organizations that recently updated their group ruling letter but did not request to be added to GuideStar, that’s ok. Go back to www.umgroupruling.org and submit another application but this time select yes, for GuideStar. By focusing on these key areas, non-profits can effectively navigate the challenges posed by not being listed on the IRS Select Check and continue to thrive in their mission to make a positive impact.

If you have any questions, please email us at: legal@gcfa.org.