At Ride to Relief, we recognize that donors often feel skeptical about where their contributions go. In a landscape filled with competing charities, it’s crucial to ensure that your support truly makes a difference. That’s why we’ve established a stringent vetting process for our nonprofit partners.
This page outlines our multi-step verification process, detailing how we evaluate and select organizations eligible to receive proceeds from our fundraising efforts. We believe that transparency is not just a value—it’s the norm, and we want you to feel confident that your donations are directed to reputable charities making a genuine impact.
✓Key facts you can verify
- All partners must have IRS 501(c)(3) status verified via pub78.
- Organizations must register with their state charity registrars.
- Preferred program-expense ratio of 70% or higher based on Form 990.
- We review ratings from Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar.
- No self-dealing or related-party transactions allowed in board governance.
- Annual re-verification of all partners to ensure continued compliance.
- Complaints to the Attorney General’s office are closely examined.
How it works, step by step
Initial Application Review
Nonprofit organizations begin by submitting a detailed application, including their IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. We verify this status through the IRS pub78 online database.
State Registration Verification
We conduct a lookup of the organization's state charitable registration to ensure compliance. This includes checking for any lapsed registrations that could signify potential issues.
Financial Analysis
We review the organization’s Form 990 filings, prioritizing those with a program expense ratio of 70% or higher. Organizations falling below 60% are automatically rejected.
Reputation Check
Each organization is evaluated against recognized standards, including checks against Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar for overall transparency and reliability.
Ongoing Monitoring
Once accepted, we conduct an annual re-verification of each partner to ensure they maintain compliance with our standards and continue to operate with integrity.
Verify it yourself
✓ IRS pub78 Lookup
How: You can verify a nonprofit's 501(c)(3) status by searching the IRS pub78 database, which lists all tax-exempt organizations recognized by the IRS.
✓ Charity Ratings
How: Search for the organization on Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar to view their ratings, financial health, and transparency metrics.
✓ Form 990 Retrieval
How: Review the organization’s Form 990 filings on websites like ProPublica or directly from the nonprofit, which detail their financial health and charitable activities.
✓ State Attorney General Registry
How: Verify if any complaints have been filed against the nonprofit by checking your state Attorney General's office records, which provide consumer protection information.
Real impact, real numbers
In 2022 alone, Ride to Relief raised over $500,000 for our charity partners, directly funding crucial services such as providing meals, shelter, and educational programs. Our vetted nonprofits reported that 85% of this funding went directly to program services, helping over 10,000 individuals in need across Colorado. These results underscore the importance of our rigorous vetting process, ensuring that every dollar is utilized effectively and responsibly.
Colorado oversight
In Colorado, charitable organizations are overseen by the Secretary of State's office and the Attorney General, which ensures compliance with state regulations. Donors can access the Colorado Secretary of State's website for information about registered charities. If you encounter any issues or wish to report a complaint, you can reach out to the Attorney General's office, which provides resources to help protect consumers against fraudulent activities.
FAQ
What if a charity has a low program expense ratio?
How can I verify a charity's 501(c)(3) status?
What does 'self-dealing' mean in nonprofit governance?
Is there a way to report a suspected charity scam?
What happens if a charity we work with receives a complaint?
Why do you conduct annual re-verifications?
Can I see the charities you're currently working with?
More transparency pages
Your trust is vital to us at Ride to Relief. We invite you to explore our vetted charity partners and support their missions with confidence. With our rigorous evaluation processes in place, together we can make a tangible difference in our community. Thank you for joining us in this important work!