The Nonprofit FAQ

Don't Board lists have to be made public?

Can you get a board list from the department in state government that keeps records on corporations granted non-profit status? This depends on the laws in effect for the state in which the organization is incorporated. One research team reports that when they were surveying nonprofit board composition, they found that some organizations would not provide them with lists of current board members -- and that there was no way they could legally compel them to do so. 501(c)(3)s are required to make a copy of their annual return (IRS Form 990) available on request at their offices, though only organizations which have more than $25,000 a year in revenues file 990s. Starting 1997, 501(c)(3)s are required to mail a copy of their 990 to anyone who requests it (a copying and handling fee may be assessed). The 990 is supposed to include a complete list of the members of the board of directors. Because of privacy concerns, though, the mailing address shown is often that of the organization itself. (For more about the Form 990, see http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/19/06.html.) For a full discussion of what nonprofits must, and can, disclose under various circumstances, see Donald A. Griesmann's article at http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/0/1505.html Originally posted in the mid '90s. Note about Griesmann article added 1/22/02; 7/2/05 -- PB