GIVE→ALIGN vs Candid: research Nonprofits/NGO's or give directly?

Frequently asked

What donors ask before switching.

Does GIVE→ALIGN use Candid's data?

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GIVE→ALIGN cross-references Candid (formerly GuideStar) as one of three independent verification sources for every listed Nonprofit/NGO, alongside IRS Publication 78 and ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Candid is a source of truth for us, not a competitor for the same job — theirs is research, ours is action.

Can I donate through Candid?

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No — Candid publishes Nonprofit/NGO profiles, Form 990 data, and impact metrics for researchers and grantmakers, but doesn't process donations. That's the gap GIVE→ALIGN was built to close: a transparent giving alternative that takes you from 'this Nonprofit/NGO looks legit' to 'donation submitted' in one flow — via a direct-to-charity Stripe checkout that settles into the Nonprofit/NGO's own dedicated Stripe merchant account.

What does GIVE→ALIGN do that Candid doesn't for individual donors?

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Three things: (1) AI matching that surfaces Nonprofits/NGO's aligned to your specific interests instead of a search box; (2) a Personal Giving Log for your end-of-year tax records; (3) a direct-to-charity Stripe checkout on our platform — every listed Nonprofit/NGO has its own dedicated Stripe merchant account, so 100% of the donation settles directly to the charity on transaction day (GIVE→ALIGN takes zero platform fee on the donation). Candid is where researchers verify. GIVE→ALIGN is where donors act.

Is GIVE→ALIGN's verification stricter than Candid's?

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Not stricter — additive. Candid focuses on financial transparency (Form 990, spending ratios, executive compensation). GIVE→ALIGN's zero-trust philanthropy verification cross-checks IRS Pub 78 status, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, and Charity Navigator scores as of the last quarter. Every listed Nonprofit/NGO must clear all three before it appears in your matches.