Identifying promising nonprofits and determining whether they are a good fit for your philanthropy is a challenge all donors face. The right amount of research will vary based on how much money you seek to give, how familiar you are with the nonprofit, and whether the gift is controversial, among other elements. This guide will support you to structure your research—offering a framework focused on four important categories: strategy & results, leadership, financials, and organization and operations. The guide also includes interview guides for conversations with executive directors and board members and detailed checklists. You can customize your research so it is right-sized for the process at hand, and also respectful so that busy nonprofit leaders aren’t overburdened.

Learn more about nonprofit due diligence.