At Wheels for Wishes, we understand that as a donor, you may have valid concerns when supporting charitable causes. That’s why we’ve established a rigorous multi-step verification process, ensuring that every nonprofit we partner with meets high standards of accountability and transparency.
This page outlines our thorough vetting process, including checks on IRS status, financial health, and governance. We believe that transparency should be the norm, and our commitment is to protect your donations and ensure they make a meaningful impact.
✓Key facts you can verify
- All charity partners must have a valid IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter.
- We verify each nonprofit's EIN through the IRS database and pub78.
- State charitable registration is checked for compliance in states of operation.
- We prefer nonprofits with a program expense ratio of 70% or higher.
- We review complaints against potential partners via the Attorney General's office.
- All partners are required to have independent audits on their Form 990 filings.
- Board governance is verified to ensure no self-dealing occurs.
How it works, step by step
Initial Application
Nonprofits submit an application including their IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter and EIN. This initiates the verification process.
IRS and State Verification
We verify the IRS status through both the pub78 and EIN databases, ensuring the nonprofit is compliant with federal regulations and state charitable registration.
Financial Review
Each nonprofit’s Form 990 is meticulously reviewed, focusing on program expense ratios. We prefer those with a ratio of at least 70% to ensure funds are directed toward their mission.
Reputation Check
We conduct a review through Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and GuideStar for any red flags, ensuring the nonprofit maintains a solid reputation.
Ongoing Monitoring
Each charity partner undergoes annual re-verification, including checks on complaint history and governance practices, to ensure they maintain accountability.
Verify it yourself
✓ IRS Determination Letter
How: Use the IRS pub78 tool to verify the nonprofit's 501(c)(3) status to confirm they are recognized as a charitable organization.
✓ Financial Health
How: Retrieve the Form 990 from the IRS website and analyze the program expense ratio to ensure it exceeds our minimum threshold of 60%.
✓ State Compliance
How: Check the state charitable registration lookup for compliance status and ensure that the nonprofit is registered in the states where it operates.
✓ Reputation Checks
How: Visit Charity Navigator or BBB Wise Giving Alliance to review the nonprofit's ratings and complaint history, ensuring they have a positive public image.
✓ Governance Standards
How: Review the nonprofit's board governance structure to verify there are no instances of self-dealing or related-party transactions.
Real impact, real numbers
Since our inception, Wheels for Wishes has helped grant over $1.8 million to children's charities across the region. This funding has provided over 5,000 children with life-changing experiences, including educational resources and medical assistance. Each dollar donated translates directly into meaningful programs that improve quality of life and offer support to families in need.
Wyoming oversight
In Wyoming, charity organizations are overseen by the state's Department of Audit, which maintains a registry of all registered nonprofits. If you have concerns about a charity, the Wyoming Attorney General has mechanisms in place for reporting complaints and ensuring transparency. Additionally, local consumer protection agencies can provide further guidance on nonprofit accountability.
FAQ
How do you ensure transparency in your operations?
What if a charity does not meet your standards?
How can I check the legitimacy of a charity?
What are the red flags you look for in charities?
Do you perform audits on the charities you support?
Can I see the financials for the charities you partner with?
How often do you re-evaluate your charity partners?
More transparency pages
Your trust is our priority. At Wheels for Wishes, we invite you to engage with our charity partners and see the impact of your contributions firsthand. If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of children in need.