EDIN-Electronic Data Initiative for Nonprofits

The following projects address nonprofit accountability and quality reporting.

NASCOnet (PDF)
Through a Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, GuideStar has contracted with NCCS to develop state-specific filing requirements in a uniform computer language (XML) to enable charities to use e-filing software to file their Form 990 and state filings in one place and at one time. This work is in coordination with the IRS Exempt Organizations Electronic Initiatives Office, which is working with states to develop an IRS state retrevial system (Fed-State System) for 2007. The TOP grant supports a partnership between GuideStar and the National Association of State Charities Officials (NASCO) to develop NASCOnet, a secure platform for sharing information between state charities' regulatory agencies.

E-filing Pilot Project and Free 990 Preparation Software
The Urban Institute's National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS) works with state charity offices to provide nonprofit organizations an option to e-file their annual state registration forms and Forms 990 using Desktop 990T. GuideStar and the National Association of Attorneys General/National Association of State Charity Officials (NAAG/NASCO) were co-sponsors of this pilot project, which recently concluded.

Streamlining Grants Management Project
Streamlining Grants Management Project, co-sponsored by OMB Watch, the Urban Institute's National Center for Charitable Statistics, GuideStar, and the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, seeks to give nonprofits input into how the federal government streamlines its grant application and reporting process. Project goals include coordinating the development of standards for applying and reporting on grants.

California Nonprofit Quality Reporting Project
The California Nonprofit Quality Reporting Project, maintained and hosted by the California Association of Nonprofits in partnership with the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, seeks to improve the quality of information for public policy decision-making related to the nonprofit sector, enhance the public accountability of nonprofit organizations, and improve public trust of the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofit Accountability Collaborative
Nonprofit Accountability Collaborative, maintained and hosted by the Charities Review Council of Minnesota, includes various user-friendly tools to help nonprofits use the IRS Form 990 as an effective and accurate communications vehicle.

There are 38 states that require charities that solicit funds to register in the state(s) in which they operate.

Over half of the budgets of state charity offices are spent collecting and processing the information filed by nonprofits.