For organizations to become a 501(c)(3), an organization must apply to the IRS.  If the IRS grants the organization 501(c)(3) status, the IRS enters the organization into its 501(c)(3) database.  This database allows you to search using various criteria.  Unfortunately, there is not one by county (DeKalb County), so I have attached two listings – one for the City of DeKalb and one for the City of Sycamore.  As you look at these listings, you will notice that many of the organizations do not qualify for 100+ Women Who Care because their focus is outside of DeKalb County.  Likewise, these listings do not contain all 501(c)(3) organizations that provide support to DeKalb County.  Sometimes it will be necessary to follow-up directly with the organization before putting its name forward for us to vote for them.  The IRS database changes so if your organization is not listed, go to the IRS database https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check and search by name.

Illinois requires all charities to register.  However, some of the charities are unaware of this requirement, so if you look for them in the Illinois database and the organization is not listed, you should call up the charity and suggest they register with Illinois.  The Illinois database provides detailed information on the organization and posts the organization’s financial statements.

Please visit the Illinois database at http://www.ag.state.il.us/charities/search/index.jsp to learn about any organization you would like to present.