When you start a nonprofit organization, certain information submitted to government agencies becomes public record. This means the information can be searched and viewed by anyone through state databases, IRS records, or third-party nonprofit databases.
Understanding what information becomes public can help you make informed decisions about what address and contact details you provide during formation.
Why Nonprofit Information Is Public
Nonprofits receive tax-exempt status and operate for the public benefit. Because of this, transparency requirements allow the public, donors, and regulators to view certain organizational information.
Many government filings are available through:
State Secretary of State websites
The IRS nonprofit database
Third-party nonprofit directories (GuideStar/Candid, ProPublica, etc.)
Information That Often Becomes Public
Depending on your state and filings, the following information may become publicly available:
Organization Information
Nonprofit legal name
Date of formation
State of incorporation
Organizational purpose
Addresses
Principal business address
Mailing address
Registered agent address
Leadership
Names of officers and directors
In some states, officer/director addresses
Tax Filings
Once approved, your nonprofit’s IRS Form 990 filings will also be public. These forms typically include:
Organizational finances
Board member names
Compensation information
Program descriptions
Important Privacy Considerations
Many founders unintentionally list their home address when forming their nonprofit. Because state filings are public record, this can make your home address searchable online.
This may be particularly important for individuals working in sensitive fields such as:
Domestic violence services
Human trafficking advocacy
Law enforcement
Child protection work
Personal safety–sensitive professions
How to Protect Your Privacy
You may wish to consider using:
Registered Agent Services
A registered agent provides an official address for receiving legal documents.
Learn more here: 👉 What is a Registered Agent and Do You Need One?
Business Mailing Address Options
Some organizations choose to use:
A PO Box
A virtual office address
A coworking address
A professional mailing service
Key Takeaway
Before entering addresses during nonprofit formation, remember:
Most government filings become part of the public record.
If privacy is important to you, consider using a non-residential mailing address for your organization.