While Bright Funds uses GuideStar to power our database, there are other requirements needed in order to receive donations through the platform.
Eligibility Guidelines
Within the United States, Bright Funds only permits donations to:
501(c)(3) public charities that are:
listed in the IRS database of tax-exempt organizations
in good standing across the with the California Attorney General’s Office, the California Franchise Tax Board, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)*
Public schools
Nonprofits that are not eligible for donations include:
Nonprofit organizations that are not registered as 501(c)(3) public charities (for example, 501(c)(4) lobbying organizations)
Nonprofits that have lost their tax-exempt status with any of the below agencies*:
California Attorney General’s Office
California Franchise Tax Board
IRS
Nonprofits that do not comply with Bright Funds' nondiscrimination policy
Nonprofits that do not process donations they receive from Bright Funds
*Note: The eligibility is tied to the recent California AB 488 law, where nonprofits are now required to be in good standing across the California Attorney General’s Office, the California Franchise Tax Board, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
How do I check my nonprofit's status?
Determine why your nonprofit is not in “good standing.” A nonprofit which appears on one of three lists is considered not in “good standing” in California for purposes of the California AB 488 law:
You will need to work directly with the applicable government agency to update your nonprofit status on their registry. Bright Funds cannot update your charitable status if it is not updated on the official registries.
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