Can I compare nonprofits side by side?

What it does

A nonprofit profile answers "tell me about this organization." The comparison view answers the question that usually comes next: how does it stack up against the others you're considering?

Every field is aligned in rows across the organizations, so differences are easy to spot — one food bank's fundraising costs against another's, which of three land trusts holds the most net assets, which candidate has a Charity Navigator rating.

Finding it

The comparison tool is part of the Dashboard, an interactive geographic view available to Pro subscribers.

1. Sign in as a Pro subscriber.
2. Open the GC Pro section of the navigation menu.
3. Select Dashboard.

Adding organizations to a comparison

There are three ways, and you can mix them freely:

From the map. Click a state or county. A side panel lists the nonprofits in that region, each with a + Compare button. Selecting it adds the organization; selecting again removes it.

From a list widget. Dashboard widgets that display nonprofits offer the same + Compare button on each row.

By name. The floating tray has a + button that opens a name search. You can add any organization in the directory — it doesn't need to be on the map.

The comparison tray

Once you select your first organization, a tray appears at the bottom of the map:

• Each selected nonprofit appears as a chip you can remove
• The + button opens the search to add more
• With one selection, the tray shows "Add 1 more to compare"
• With two or more, a Compare button appears
• The tray holds up to four organizations; the + disappears at the maximum

What's compared

Fields are grouped into collapsible sections:

New fields appear in the table as they're added to the platform.

Working with the table

Column headers stay in place as you scroll. Each shows the organization's logo, name, and EIN. Names and logos open the full profile in a new tab, and each column has a Remove action.

Add organizations without leaving. An "Add nonprofit" search in the header lets you grow the comparison up to four organizations in place.

Search the fields. A search box filters rows by field or group name and expands the matching sections. Clearing it restores your previous view.

Long text stays readable. Fields like mission statements show a Read link that opens the full text in a floating card, so the table stays scannable.

Print it. The Print button produces a clean version with the interface controls removed, long text inlined, and rows kept from breaking across pages. It works well as a leave-behind for a meeting or a discussion document.

Things to know

Two to four organizations. One isn't a comparison, and more than four stops being readable, so the tool caps at four.

Coverage varies. Smaller filers, unrated organizations, and organizations without a processed impact report will show a dash in those rows. A dash means the public record has no data for that field — it isn't an error, and the gap is shown rather than filled in.

It compares organizations, not filings. The table shows each organization's current headline data. For year-over-year analysis across filings, asking a question is the better route.

Comparisons aren't saved between sessions. Use Print to keep a copy. Rebuilding a comparison takes a few clicks from the map or the name search.

Data currency. The table reflects each organization's most recent processed IRS filing plus Giving Compass enrichments such as ratings, impact reports, and verified links. Filing-based fields typically lag one to two years.

The comparison data is served by a Pro endpoint, so access is enforced whether you reach the Dashboard by menu or by direct link. Free accounts can explore nonprofits individually through search and profiles.

Troubleshooting

The Compare button isn't showing. The tray appears after your first selection, but Compare needs at least two organizations. Until then, the tray shows "Add 1 more to compare."

I can't add a fifth organization. Comparison is capped at four to keep the table readable. Remove one — from the tray chip or the column header — to add another.

Some rows show only a dash. That organization has no data for that field. It's common for smaller filers, unrated organizations, and organizations without a processed impact report. It reflects a real gap in the public record.

Can I compare organizations that aren't on the map? Yes. The + button on the tray and the "Add nonprofit" search inside the comparison view both search the full directory. Map selection is a convenience, not a requirement.

Can I save or share a comparison? Use Print for a clean printable or PDF version. Comparisons aren't currently saved between sessions.

I don't see the Dashboard, or I'm asked to upgrade. The Dashboard requires an active Pro subscription.