Local United Methodist churches and United Methodist organizations covered under the United Methodist group ruling can now be listed on GuideStar through the UMgroupruling.org website.
The Legal Services Department of the General Council on Finance and Administration announced the development, which came in response to the many calls it receives about having United Methodist churches recognized on national donor platforms,
“This move responds to requests from local churches to be listed as a charitable organization on a platform recognized by donors as reliable,” GCFA General Counsel Steve Lambert said. “We are happy to provide this solution to what has been a continuing issue for UMC organizations.”
GuideStar is the respected database of information about nonprofits. Once listed there, United Methodist churches and organizations will have a way to demonstrate their 501(c)(3) status electronically, which will also be available to GuideStar partners. Some GuideStar partners include Amazon Smile, Network for Good, Facebook and Google for Nonprofits.
“Our United Methodist partners are taking a critical step to help increase the visibility of their individual churches,” said Adrian Bordone, vice president of strategic partnerships for GuideStar. “We are thrilled to work with them to streamline the process, which allows churches to get listed on GuideStar more easily.
“This will help increase access to donors who use our database as well as our more than 200 partners.”
Churches and other organizations wishing to be listed on Guidestar can simply request another group letter on the UMgroupruling.org website and check the box indicating a desire to be listed.
