Charity Navigator

Name: Charity Navigator
Brand: Charity
Rating: 4.5 (1055 reviews)

Unclaimed

Empowering informed philanthropic decisions through unbiased charity ratings and donor resources.

Nonprofit Tools Fundraising Directories Analytics

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4.5(1,055 across the web)

FreeVisit Website

Reviews onCapterra

1055 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Free access to extensive charity data and ratings

Biggest con

Only evaluates IRS-registered 501(c)(3) organizations

TL;DR - Charity Navigator

Provides unbiased ratings for over 225,000 charities to guide donor decisions.
Offers tools and resources for informed giving, including current event response funds.
Features a 'Giving Basket' for multi-charity donations with privacy controls.

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

4.5/5 across review platforms

What is Charity Navigator?

Editorial review

Charity Navigator is a comprehensive research tool designed to help individuals find and support charities that align with their passions and values. It provides unbiased ratings for over 225,000 IRS-registered 501(c)(3) charities, leveraging data from the IRS, partners, and the charities themselves. The platform helps donors understand the cost-effectiveness, stability, efficiency, and sustainability of a charity's programs, ensuring their donations make a meaningful impact. Beyond ratings, Charity Navigator offers resources like giving guides, tools for maximizing donations, and curated lists of charities responding to current events. It also features a "Giving Basket" that allows users to donate to multiple charities in a single, convenient transaction while controlling personal information sharing. The platform is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit itself, committed to providing free access to its data and tools, and relies on support from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

Available on: Web

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourcecharitynavigator.org ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free access to extensive charity data and ratings
Unbiased ratings, as charities are not charged for evaluation
Simplifies multi-charity giving through the Giving Basket
Provides detailed insights into a charity's financial health and impact
Offers curated lists for timely and impactful giving

Cons

Only evaluates IRS-registered 501(c)(3) organizations
CEO salary is displayed but not directly factored into the overall rating metric
Relies on charities to provide data for evaluation, which may not always be complete for unrated organizations

Ratings Across the Web

4.5(1,055 reviews)

Capterra1,055 reviews

4.5/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Preview

Key Features

Searchable database of 245,000+ rated charitiesAI-powered tool for personalized charity recommendationsCause-specific funds (e.g., Animal Welfare, End Hunger, End Homelessness)Comprehensive charity ratings based on financial health and accountabilityGiving Basket for multi-charity donations with single checkoutDonor resources including giving guides and current event response listsTransparency on CEO compensation and expense allocationListing of fake and fraudulent charities with alerts

Pricing

Free

Charity Navigator is completely free to use with no hidden costs.

View pricing

Reviews

4.5/5

Across 1,055 verified user reviews on Capterra

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Still deciding?

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Charity Navigator FAQ

How does Charity Navigator ensure its ratings remain objective if it relies on donations?

Charity Navigator maintains objectivity by being a 501(c)(3) nonprofit itself and explicitly stating that it does not charge the charities it evaluates for their ratings. Its funding comes from individuals, foundations, and corporations, ensuring no financial incentive to favor specific organizations in its evaluations.

Can I suggest a charity for Charity Navigator to evaluate, and what happens if a charity isn't rated?

Yes, you can encourage charities you're interested in to visit Charity Navigator's website and provide data for evaluation. While Charity Navigator aims to add more evaluations as data becomes available, if a charity is not yet rated, you can still find basic information about it on the website, including its tax status, even if a comprehensive rating isn't available.

What is the primary benefit of using the Giving Basket feature for donors?

The Giving Basket allows donors to support multiple charities through a single, convenient checkout process. A key benefit is the ability to control how much personal information is shared with each individual organization, enhancing donor privacy and streamlining the donation experience.

How does Charity Navigator address concerns about potentially unethical or illegal activities by a listed charity?

If you suspect a charity is acting unethically or illegally, Charity Navigator advises reporting concerns to the proper authorities, such as the IRS or state Attorney General. Additionally, you can forward objective and publicly available data documenting your concerns to the Charity Navigator Alert Issuance Committee at alerts@charitynavigator.org for their review.

Does Charity Navigator rate all 1.6 million IRS-registered nonprofit organizations?

Charity Navigator lists all 1.6 million IRS-registered nonprofit organizations on its site. However, it specifically rates 501(c)(3) nonprofits, which are commonly referred to as charities and whose donations are tax-deductible. The platform provides basic information for all listed organizations, even if they are not fully rated.

Source: charitynavigator.org

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