Well, it depends. There are formal rescues that are licensed by the USDA and have a USDA-sanctioned veterinary care program, and then there are less formal rescues that facilitate the re-homing of gliders on an ad-hoc basis.
Your question is provocative because there have been "scams" out there based on people claiming to be legit rescues who are in fact pretending to rescue but really just getting cheap or abandoned/surrendered gliders and then "repackaging" them for at-profit resale or even breeding.
One way to avoid dealing with possible scammers is to ask for a letter from their veterinarian that states they are in good commercial standing, are known as a legitimate rescue, and have some kind of regular oversight from the vet.
If the outfit has a Class B USDA license, the ensures that the facility is inspected "unannounced" by a USDA Animal Care Inspector periodically and that there is a veterinary care program in place.
This does not mean that you have to have a USDA license to be a legit rescue, but it does add a lot of credibility.
Here are a few Gliderpedia articles on the subject:
GliderpediaArticle on 501(c)3
http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?501c3
GliderpediaArticle on USDA License
http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?USDALicense