Charitable Solicitations

At Church & Charity Law, we prepare charity solicitations licenses in each state requiring licensure.  Our services include advising clients regarding the solicitations rules in the given state, monitoring filing deadlines, preparing and filing for licenses with the appropriate state agency, and communicating with state officials on behalf of the nonprofit organization. 

For our many professional solicitor clients, our services include review and preparation of solicitation contracts for compliance with laws of the states where solicitations occur, preparing and filing for solicitations licenses, notice of solicitation, and post-campaign reports with the appropriate state agencies, obtaining state-required bonds, and monitoring filing deadlines.

Religious organizations (other than churches) are not automatically exempt from the obligation to register for charitable solicitations.  While over half of the states allow for exemption for religious organizations, many of the states require the organization to submit an application for exemption.  Some also expressly reject exemption to religious organizations that are not exempt by law from the obligation of filing IRS Form 990.  Church & Charity Law can advise your religious ministry or charity regarding its registration obligations and assist with applying for religious exemption in any state in which exemption is available.

Approximately 40 states and the District of Columbia require charitable organizations to register with the state (often the Attorney General or a special department within the office of the Secretary of State) before soliciting charitable donations from citizens of their state.  This rule applies to active solicitation in the state, such as fundraising events, meetings, mailers, or even targeted emails.  The registration rules generally apply to all types of charitable organizations, whether or not actually located in the state.