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Keywords

Nonprofit data accessibility, nonprofit registries, global nonprofit transparency, cross-national comparative analysis, civil society governance, public nonprofit data, nonprofit accountability

Abstract

This article presents preliminary findings from a global, cross-national study examining the accessibility, structure, and transparency of nonprofit registry systems across all countries worldwide. In addition to determining whether an online national nonprofit database exists in each country, the study evaluates who operates these systems—government authorities or civil society organizations—and identifies cases in which multiple registries are maintained. The analysis also incorporates national context indicators—such as population, human rights ratings, internet access, and governance—but these variables are not analyzed in this preliminary article. Registration requirements also vary substantially across countries, with many systems requiring only minimal documentation and limited verification. Using a standardized comparative coding framework, the research team documented each country’s registration requirements, registry operators, public data fields, search functionality, and options for downloading or reusing data. Preliminary results reveal substantial regional disparities: some countries maintain robust, user-friendly public databases, while many others provide limited or no public access. These findings highlight systemic barriers to global nonprofit transparency and underscore the need for more coordinated international data standards. The study offers early empirical insights to guide future comparative research and inform efforts to strengthen nonprofit data infrastructure worldwide.

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