How Can I Get My 501(c)(3) Paperwork? (What to Submit to Google for Nonprofits)

To apply for Google for Nonprofits, you'll need paperwork that proves your church is a tax-exempt nonprofit. This article assumes your church is in the USA. Find the situation that fits your church below.

If your church has its own 501(c)(3)

A 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS works great! If your church has its own 501(c)(3) status (not through a denomination), you can download your paperwork from the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.

Your paperwork will look similar to this example paperwork.

Tip: If you only have the PDF you downloaded online, print the letter, fold and crease it like it came in the mail, then unfold it, take a photo, and send the photo to Goodstack (Google's verification partner). It sounds funny, but it seems to work best!

If you're covered by your denomination's 501(c)(3)

If your church is covered under your denomination's group ruling, you'll need 3 documents:

Proof of your denomination's 501(c)(3) status, as an IRS document (like the example paperwork above).
A group exemption letter on your national denomination's letterhead, from one of its officers, confirming that your church (name, address, and EIN) is covered under their 501(c)(3) group ruling.
Proof of your church's EIN, so Goodstack can see it's the same EIN that's covered.

If you don't have this paperwork, reach out to your denomination with a message like this:

Hi, this is [name] from [legal church name].

We're applying for Google for Nonprofits and need two things. First, a group exemption letter on your letterhead proving our nonprofit status under your tax exemption. It should include our church name and EIN, and ideally my name as well. Second, an IRS document proving your 501(c)(3) status.

Thank you!

If you don't have a 501(c)(3) letter or group exemption

You have two options: use your state's tax-exempt paperwork, or ask the IRS for a letter.

Use your state documents

Every state is different, but most issue a certificate of tax exemption or similar paperwork. If you have it, you can use it to apply. If not, you may be able to download it from your Secretary of State's website. See Paperwork for Google for Nonprofits for a state-by-state list of links.

Request a letter from the IRS

Call the IRS at (877) 829-5500 and ask for a letter confirming your church's nonprofit status. The letter is free, but it takes about 14 days to arrive by mail, unless you can have it faxed. You'll need your church's EIN, name, and address. If you answer "no" when asked whether you're an authorized agent of the organization, the letter is mailed to the address the IRS has on file. Authorized agents may be able to have it sent elsewhere.

Where to find your church's EIN

Your church's EIN (also called FEIN or Federal EIN) is on any W-2 the church issued or on a year-end giving statement from the church. If you don't have those handy, ask your treasurer or whoever handles W-2s or giving statements. The EIN is 9 digits, numbers only, usually written as xx-xxxxxxx or xxxxxxxxx.

Submitting more than one document?

Google's application takes one file, so combine your documents into a single PDF with a free tool like combinepdf.com.

Want a second set of eyes? Send your documents to us through churchfuel.com/support. We'll look them over to make sure you have everything you need and can merge them for you.

Need help?

Join a Live Support call (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at noon CT / 1 PM ET) or reach us at churchfuel.com/support.