The site provides news and information from the Internal Revenue Service, state offices that regulate charities, certified public accountants, developers of Form 990 tax-preparation software, and others.

"Filing the 990s has been a time-consuming, inefficient process for reporting and disseminating information on the sector," says Patricia Read, a co-chair of the coalition, which is called the Electronic Data Initiative for Nonprofits. She says the group wants its Web site to encourage charities to file their federal information returns online, which they will be able to do through the IRS Web site beginning next year. The coalition's Web site is operated by Independent Sector, a trade association in Washington for nonprofit groups. Other members of the steering committe are the Council on Foundations; GuideStar, a nonprofit group that distributes information about charities online; the National Council of Nonprofit Associations; and OMB Watch, a Washington advocacy group.

To get to the site, go to http://www.edinonline.org.