This document provides an overview of GuideStar APIs and best practices for their implementation. It discusses GuideStar's mission to provide transparency for nonprofits. GuideStar collects data on 1.5 million nonprofits from various sources and reaches over 10 million annual visitors. The presentation recommends 6 best practices for API implementation: 1) use API keys, 2) prefer JSON format, 3) understand the query syntax, 4) use specific search fields, 5) key detail and exchange APIs by organization ID, and 6) design the charity check API around EINs. It aims to help users easily maintain nonprofit profiles and manage their brands through GuideStar's network.

1. 6 Best Practices for
Implementing a GuideStar
API
G U I D E S T A R
Shane Ward | sward@guidestar.org

2. Our Presenters
Emily Iarocci,
VP Marketing & Communications
Shane Ward,
Data Architect

3. AG E N D A
Brief overview
GuideStar APIs
6 best practices
Commonly asked
questions
Q&A open forum
1
2
3
4
5

4. GuideStar’s mission is to
revolutionize philanthropy and
nonprofit practice by providing
information that advances
transparency, enables users to
make better decisions, and
encourages charitable giving.
GuideStar’s Mission

5. Data about 1.5M 501c3
nonprofits
*IRS
*GuideStar Exchange
*DonorEdge Community
Foundations
8 Top Donor Advised
Funds:
*Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
*Schwab Charitable Gift Fund
20 Donation Portals
Processing $150M+
annually:
*Network for Good
*JustGive
5 Major Online
Destinations:
*Facebook Causes
*Search Engines
10M annual visitors to
guidestar.org
70K social media followers
140,000+ nonprofit reviews
from beneficiaries,
volunteers:
*GreatNonprofits
Impact assessments about
600+ nonprofits from 5
Expert Partners:
*Philanthropedia, GuideStar
*GiveWell
*RootCause
Data Coming
into GuideStar:
Data
Reaching:
• Easily maintain your organization’s profile reaching
110+ leading and reputable websites and private
networks
• Manage your brand on GuideStar’s extended network
100s of other clients and
partners

6. API Benefits
Efficient
Customizable
Automated
Integrated

7. GuideStar API Data
GX
IRS
Business Master File
Forms 990
Publication 78
GuideStar Exchange:
Self-reported
Nonprofit Data
Operational
Data
Programmatic
Data
Verification
Data
Financial
Data
Office of Foreign
Assets Control
(OFAC)

8. GuideStar APIs
Search
API
Exchange
API
Charity Check
API
Detail
API
Search
Data
Programmatic
Data
Verification
Data
Aggregated
Data

9. 6 “Best Practices” for implementation
1. Use API Keys
2. JSON Preferred
3. Query Syntax
Search API uses Lucene Query Syntax
4. Search Field- <participation>
5. Detail and Exchange keyed off of Organization ID
6. Charity Check API is EIN driven

10. Question & Answer Session
Don’t you
worry!Which
API?

11. T H A N K Y O U !
Questions?

12. GuideStar API Developer’s Page
https://data.guidestar.org/

13. The (1) text and (2) basic graphical representations in this presentation are under a Creative
Commons Attribution license. The photographs and other copied images are not, as I do not
have rights to them.
Contact:
Emily Iarocci,
emily.iarocci@cybergrants.com
Want to contact CyberGrants?

14. The (1) text and (2) basic graphical representations in this presentation are under a Creative
Commons Attribution license. The photographs and other copied images are not, as I do not
have rights to them.
Contact:
Ashley Early,
Ashley.early@guidestar.org
Want to see how GuideStar APIs work?