990 vs 990-EZ vs 990-N vs 990-PF: which form tells you what

The depth of research you can do on a nonprofit depends on which return it files. That's why some organizations here have rich profiles with expense breakdowns and executive pay, while others show only headline numbers — or nothing at all.

The four variants

• Form 990 (full). Required above roughly $200k revenue or $500k assets. Includes the functional expense split (programs vs. management vs. fundraising), officer compensation, governance details, contractors and grants. Full-990 filers get our precise efficiency grade.
• Form 990-EZ.A short form for mid-sized organizations. Headline revenue, expenses and net assets — but no expense split, so efficiency ratios can't be computed. These organizations receive a financial-health grade instead.
• Form 990-N (e-postcard). For organizations under ~$50k revenue. Just a confirmation the org exists — no financials at all, which is why the smallest nonprofits appear here without a grade.
• Form 990-PF. Private foundations of any size. Focused on investments, payout requirements and grants made.

What this means for donors

A missing grade is not a red flag by itself — it usually just means the organization is small enough to file the postcard. But if an organization with millions in revenue has no recent full 990 on file, ask why before giving.