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Giving Compass Nonprofit Search

Nonprofit Search - How It Works

Overview

Our nonprofit search helps you find organizations that match what you're looking for. This guide explains how search results are ranked and how you can get the best results.

How Search Results Are Ranked

When you search for nonprofits, we use a smart ranking system to show you the most relevant organizations first. Here's how it works:

1. We Look at Both Words and Meaning

Our search doesn't just match the exact words you type—it also understands what you mean.

For example:

  • If you search for "helping kids," we'll also find organizations working with "children" or "youth"
  • If you search for "hunger relief," we'll show food banks and meal programs

We combine two types of matching:

  • Word matching: Finding your exact search terms in organization names and descriptions
  • Meaning matching: Finding organizations that do similar work, even if they use different words

By default, we give equal weight to both approaches to give you the best mix of results.

2. We Check Organization Names First

When ranking results, we prioritize matches in the organization's name more than matches in their description. This means:

  • Organizations with your search terms in their name will rank higher
  • Organizations with your search terms only in their description will rank lower

Example: Searching for "animal rescue" will show "Animal Rescue Foundation" higher than an organization that only mentions animal rescue in their mission statement.

Types of Searches

Smart Search (Default)

This is what we use for most searches. It balances exact word matching with understanding what you mean.

Best for:

  • General searches like "education nonprofits in Boston"
  • Finding organizations by type of work
  • Most everyday searches

Meaning-Based Search

This focuses more on finding organizations doing similar work, even if they don't use your exact words.

Best for:

  • Finding organizations similar to one you already know
  • Exploring related causes
  • Broad conceptual searches

Natural Language Search

Just describe what you're looking for in plain English, and our system will figure out what you need.

Best for:

  • Complex requests like "large organizations helping homeless veterans in California"
  • When you're not sure what filters to use
  • Conversational searches

Examples:

  • "Nonprofits fighting climate change in California"
  • "Organizations helping refugees with education"
  • "Animal shelters near me with good ratings"

What You Can Search

Text Search

We search these parts of each nonprofit's profile:

  • Organization name (most important)
  • Alternative names (if they go by different names)
  • Organization description/summary

Filters You Can Use

You can narrow down results using many different filters:

Location

  • City, state, or ZIP code

Size and Reach

  • Organization size (small, medium, large)
  • Annual budget/revenue range
  • Number of employees

Type of Work

  • Cause areas (like poverty, education, health, environment)
  • UN Sustainable Development Goals (17 global goals)
  • IRS 501c classification codes

Organization Type

  • Foundations
  • Organizations accepting tax-deductible donations

Quality and Ratings

  • Minimum rating (0-4 stars)
  • Minimum organization score (0-100)

Content and Media

  • Has videos
  • Has impact reports
  • Active on social media

Tips for Better Search Results

1. Start Simple

Begin with a basic search term and add filters if needed:

  • Start: "animal rescue"
  • Refine: "animal rescue" + city filter + verified only

2. Use Location Filters

Location filters help narrow down to organizations you can actually work with:

  • Add a city, state, or ZIP code

3. Try Different Words

If you're not finding what you want, try different terms:

  • Instead of "hunger," try "food" or "meals"
  • Instead of "kids," try "children" or "youth"

4. Use Filters to Narrow Down

If you get too many results, add filters like:

  • Organization size
  • Budget range
  • Specific cause areas
  • Quality ratings

5. Be Specific for Better Matches

The more specific you are, the better we can match your needs:

  • Vague: "help people"
  • Better: "homeless services"
  • Best: "homeless services in Seattle"

6. Try Natural Language

If filters feel complicated, just describe what you want:

  • "I'm looking for small education nonprofits in rural Texas"
  • "Find me organizations fighting ocean pollution"

Organization Information

Each result shows:

  • Name and description: What the organization does
  • Location: Where they operate
  • Rating and score: Quality indicators
  • Size: How large the organization is
  • Financial info: Annual budget/revenue (when available)
  • Media: Videos or impact reports (when available)
  • Social media: Links to their social accounts

Common Questions

Why don't I see the organization I expected?

Several reasons this might happen:

  1. Filters too restrictive: Try removing some filters
  2. Different words: Try alternative search terms
  3. Low relevance score: The organization doesn't match your search well enough
  4. Not in our database: We may not have that organization yet

Why is the order different from what I expected?

Our ranking considers many factors:

  • How well the organization matches your search terms
  • Where matches appear (name vs. description)
  • Organization verification status
  • Overall quality and rating
  • Your specific filters and requirements

How can I find a specific organization by name?

Just search for their name:

  • Type the full or partial organization name
  • We'll prioritize organizations with matching names
  • Add location filters if you know where they're located

Can I search by cause area?

Yes! You can:

  • Use natural language: "climate change organizations"
  • Use our cause filters (UN Sustainable Development Goals)
  • Use IRS classification codes (NTEE codes)

Getting Help

If you're having trouble finding what you need:

  1. Try the natural language search—just describe what you want
  2. Start with fewer filters and add more gradually
  3. Use broader search terms, then narrow down
  4. Check that your filters aren't too restrictive

Remember: Our goal is to help you find the right nonprofit for your needs. The ranking system is designed to save you time by showing the most relevant organizations first, but every search is different. Feel free to explore results beyond just the top matches—you might find hidden gems further down the list!