# Usage & Quotas

The Charity Navigator Graph QL API is available through subscription plans. Every plan uses the same
GraphQL endpoint; plans differ by their monthly request quota, the type of data that is available, and the support response time. Usage is
metered as one **API request** per successful call, against the `api_requests`
meter shown on your subscription.

**Current prices and quotas live on the [pricing page](/pricing).**
Prices and quotas can change, so this page documents the
parts that don't: **which queries each plan can call** and **how usage is
counted**.

<a id="query-access"></a>
## Query access

Queries are grouped into two tags:

- **Data Essentials** — `publicSearchFaceted` and `bulkNonprofits`. Available on
  **every plan**. The deprecated `nonprofitsPublic` query is also in this tag and
  still callable on every plan, but is no longer listed in the GraphQL Explorer —
  see the [changelog](/changelog#nonprofits-public-deprecated).
- **Premium Data** — `publishedAlerts`, the paginated feed of published
  Charity Navigator alerts. Available only on the **Midsize** and
  **Enterprise** plans.

Calling a Premium Data query on a plan without it returns HTTP `403` with a
GraphQL-shaped error body, and does not count against your quota:

```json
{
  "errors": [
    {
      "message": "The \"publishedAlerts\" query is not available on your plan. Contact us if you need access to it.",
      "extensions": { "code": "FORBIDDEN", "field": "publishedAlerts" }
    }
  ]
}
```

The check runs on the whole request, so a single document that selects
`publishedAlerts` alongside permitted queries is rejected in full. If you are on any other plan and need `publishedAlerts`, [contact us](/support).

## How usage is counted

Each successful call counts as **one API request** against your monthly quota. To keep the count fair, some requests are
**not** counted:

- **Cached responses.** Repeating an identical query may be served from a cache.
  A cached response is **not** counted against your
  quota, so the same query will not move your usage counter again until the entry
  expires (up to 24 hours). The cache is keyed to your API key, so your *first*
  call for a given query always reaches the origin and always counts. If you're
  watching your usage, vary the query — a different `term` or arguments — so each
  call is a fresh request.
- **Introspection-only requests.** Schema-introspection queries (`__schema`,
  `__typename`) are never counted.
- **Failed requests.** A request that returns an error — a non-2xx response, or
  an HTTP `200` whose body contains a GraphQL `errors` array — is not counted.
  A query rejected by the access rules above costs you nothing.

## Reaching your quota

What happens depends on the kind of plan:

- **Fixed-quota plans** (Startups, Small, Midsize, Enterprise) stop serving
  requests once the monthly quota is used. Further calls receive HTTP `403`
  until the quota resets at the start of the next billing period, including
  introspection requests. For a higher quota, move to a larger plan from the
  [pricing page](/pricing).
- **Academics/Personal Use** is usage-based rather than capped. Requests past
  the included allowance keep succeeding and are billed as overage at the
  per-request rate shown on the pricing page, so a busy month produces a bill
  rather than a `403`.

## Rate limit

Separately from the monthly quota, each API key is limited to **1,000 requests
per minute**. Exceeding it returns HTTP `429`; the monthly quota returns `403`.
The rate limit protects the service against bursts and is not affected by your
plan.

## Canceling Your Plan

You can cancel your subscription at any time from the **My Subscription** section of your developer portal account.

- **During your free trial:** your access continues through the end of your current trial period — you won't be charged, and you can keep using the API until your trial's original end date.
- **After your trial has converted to a paid plan:** the same rule applies — your access and API key remain active through the end of your current billing period, and you won't be billed again going forward.

If you change your mind before your access ends, you can reactivate your subscription at any point during that window with no disruption to your integration or data.

**Cancel at least 24 hours before your trial's end date** to ensure it's processed before your card is charged.

## Fair Use

API access is governed by the
[API Terms of Use](https://www.charitynavigator.org/products-and-services/graphql-api/api-terms-of-use/).
Wherever you display the data, follow the
[Attribution Guidelines](/attribution). Every plan carries attribution and
data-sharing requirements — see [Data Sharing Requirements](/datasharing).