Qualified Charitable Organizations

What organizations are qualified charitable organizations I can deduct my donations to?

Below is a list of qualified charitable organizations given by the IRS. Qualified charitable organizations include:

• Religious organizations:
  • churches

  • synagogues

  • temples

  • mosques

• Most nonprofit charitable organizations such as the Red Cross and United Way

• Most nonprofit educational organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, colleges, museums

• Nonprofit schools, hospitals, medical research organizations

• Utility company emergency programs

• Nonprofit volunteer fire companies

• Public parks and recreation facilities

• Civil defense organizations

What organizations are not qualified charitable organizations?

In general, organizations that do not qualify include ones where charitable donations only benefit the individual group and not the greater society. Some nonqualifying organizations include:

• Individuals

• Business organizations

• Civic leagues and associations

• Political organizations and candidates

• Social clubs

• Foreign organizations

• Homeowners' associations

• Communist organizations