Candid GuideStar vs. DonorSearch

It is just my go-to for any information I need on a potential client as I work in the non-profit consulting space and need to better understand my prospects. As a former nonprofit exec, I valued what we could share on the site as a gold seal for others to learn about our worthiness to invest.

Incentivized

I would say DonorSearch is well suited as you set out to build donor profiles. I think there are excellent background information on spouses, addresses, real estate holdings, giving priorities, etc. I also like it for grant research - you can find funders who may be interested in your philanthropic priorities and occasionally what those timelines are. I would not suggest using this for absolute strangers to your organization - too much to work through.

• Identifying information from funder 990s
• Gives credence to transparency claims

Incentivized

• Broad inclusion of information
• Prior giving records
• Address information

• Most 990s are typically a few years behind.
• Organization profiles are only as complete as the organization makes them.

Incentivized

• Too many names included even when the correct address has been provided for the initial query
• Not providing total clarity about DonorSearch specific definitions
• Providing too much info from low-quality profiles

Any support I've ever had to get from them was quick and professional. Their online guides/help docs are also easy to read.

Incentivized

I have always used Guidestar as my go-to not only when I was a non-profit executive and wanted to ensure we remained worthy of their rating but also now as a non-profit consultant where I need to understand my current and potential partners across financials, key contacts, board members, etc.

Incentivized

D&B Hoovers seems much more oriented towards a business looking to sell to clients - to increase their sales pitch opportunities. We had heard good things but the company does not seem oriented toward nonprofit success. I cannot find anything about the D&B Hoovers pricing available online but our DonorSearch subscription is worth it.

• More informed grant proposals.
• Able to easily and efficiently complete grant research.

Incentivized

• There has not been a negative impact
• We have been able to get a jumpstart on many leads
• We are able to see whose giving aligns with our organization