insights

guides and research for reading filings, testing claims, and seeing what funders do.

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how to read a 990-PF

find the fields that matter, read them in the order that makes sense, and know what the filing cannot tell you.

990-PF 5 min
what you can learn from a 990 in 2 minutes

five questions that show how an organization earns money, spends it, and describes its own work.

990 2 min

for grantseekers

questions to ask before submitting a proposal

decide whether a funder fits, what ask size is realistic, and whether the opportunity is worth the staff time.

990-PF 8 min

for fundraisers and prospect researchers

why SEC Forms 3, 4, and 5 matter for prospect research

how insider filings establish reported equity ownership, show how it changes, and separate wealth from activity that may affect liquidity.

SEC 4 min

research and methods