# Non profit finances disclosure
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-finances-disclosure/134469
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 30, 2002, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-finances-disclosure/134469 "2002-10-30T00:37:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2002, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-finances-disclosure/134469/1 "2002-10-30T00:37:04Z")
I fellow I was talking with told me that any non-profit company must dislcose its finances to anyone who asks for them.
This sorta set off my bullsh\*t meter, as it seems that competeing NP’s (such as PACs) could massively inconvenience each with large numbers of demands.
Anyone know a reference as to what NP’s must reveal and to whom? I’m sure the IRS can get it on demand, but what about hte average Joe?
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### Author:  [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2002, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-finances-disclosure/134469/2 "2002-10-30T01:26:33Z")
Yeah, they have to disclose a LOT. And believe it or not, much is available online. Check out the links in the following thread:
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=140376](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=140376)
(Credit where credit is due: As you will see in the thread I learned about this stuff myself from some very well-informed and helpful dopers.)
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### Author:  [@jdc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jdc)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2002, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-finances-disclosure/134469/3 "2002-10-30T01:33:45Z")
They are required to give you a copy of the 990 (Fed Tax Return for non-profits). I believe they can charge a duplicating fee.
Churches, however, don’t need to file a 990.
In MA, you can go to attorney generals office and see the latest 990 on file and other info that is filed annually. You can also get a copy by mail for a fee. That is useful if you want to check the financials of a non-profit w/o alerting them by showing up and asking for a 990.
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### Author:  [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2002, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-finances-disclosure/134469/4 "2002-10-30T01:41:51Z")
I happen to be sitting next to a Grants Librarian as I type this. He says yes, all NPs have to make their 990s public.
[http://www.guidestar.org](http://www.guidestar.org) is a good place to start for specific organizations.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-profit-finances-disclosure/134469/5 "2002-10-30T03:10:19Z")
Thanks guys, I see that there is a “990 on the web” clause that would prevent abuse of this system. That and the reasonable cost per page prevents abuse.