Where Do Nonprofits Need to Register Before Fundraising?

Last Updated: February 2026

This guide explains where charitable solicitation registration is generally required and how nonprofits determine their obligations across multiple states. In most cases, registration obligations depend on where donors are located — not where the nonprofit is headquartered.

Nonprofits that raise funds across state lines often discover that charitable solicitation compliance is governed primarily at the state level, not federally. Each state establishes its own registration rules, renewal requirements, exemptions, and financial reporting standards.

In many jurisdictions, registration is required before soliciting donations from residents of that state. These obligations typically continue through annual renewals and reporting once registration is established.

The infographic below provides a high-level overview of where charitable solicitation registration is generally required across the United States.

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How State Registration Requirements Work

Most states regulate charitable fundraising to promote transparency and protect donors. As a result, organizations engaging in multi-state fundraising frequently must register in multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.

Registration obligations are usually triggered when an organization:

• Requests donations from residents of a state
• Conducts email, online, direct mail, or event-based fundraising reaching that state
• Uses paid fundraisers or fundraising platforms targeting residents
• Expands development activities beyond its home state

Importantly, state registration requirements are not limited to large national organizations. Even smaller nonprofits can trigger obligations once fundraising crosses state borders.

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Why Multi-State Compliance Matters

State regulators increasingly enforce charitable solicitation laws. In addition, nonprofit annual filings — including IRS Form 990 disclosures — now ask organizations to report whether they are complying with applicable state registration requirements.

Failure to register when required can lead to:

• Delays in grant funding or partnerships
• State inquiries or deficiency notices
• Monetary penalties in some jurisdictions
• Administrative complications during audits or due diligence reviews

Because requirements vary significantly by state, organizations must evaluate compliance individually for each jurisdiction.

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Registration Is Usually Ongoing

Charitable solicitation registration is rarely a one-time filing.

After initial approval, most states require:

• Annual or periodic renewal filings
• Updated organizational information
• Financial reporting tied to IRS Form 990 filings
• Audited or reviewed financial statements once revenue thresholds are met

As fundraising grows, compliance responsibilities often expand alongside it.

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States With Different Types of Requirements

While many states require registration broadly, the regulatory landscape is not uniform. Organizations commonly encounter three categories:

Registration Generally Required

Most states require nonprofits to register before soliciting contributions from residents.

Limited or Situational Requirements

Some jurisdictions require registration only under specific conditions, such as use of paid solicitors or certain organizational types.

Registration Generally Not Required

A small number of jurisdictions do not impose charitable solicitation registration requirements, though other filings may still apply.

The infographic summarizes these distinctions at a glance.

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Online Fundraising and Modern Outreach

Digital fundraising has made compliance more complex. Email campaigns, donation platforms, and online giving pages can reach donors nationwide, which may create registration obligations even when an organization has no physical presence in a state.

Because rules differ across jurisdictions, nonprofits often evaluate:

• Whether online activity targets specific states
• Frequency or volume of donations received
• Ongoing solicitation patterns

Understanding where fundraising activity reaches donors is now a core part of compliance planning.

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How to Use This Guide

This overview is intended as a general educational resource. Actual registration requirements depend on factors such as:

• Organizational structure
• Exemption eligibility
• Fundraising methods
• Revenue levels and financial statement thresholds

Organizations expanding into multi-state fundraising often benefit from developing a coordinated registration strategy early, allowing renewals, financial reporting, and audit timing to align efficiently.

State Charitable Solicitation Registration Requirements

The table below summarizes general registration expectations by state. Specific exemptions and thresholds vary.

State	Registration Status	Key Registration Triggers
Alabama	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer), religious organizations, and educational institutions.
Alaska	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $5,000 annually or soliciting < 10 people (if all volunteer), and religious organizations.
Arizona	Limited or Situational	Only charitable veterans’ organizations must register. Most other charities are not required to register.
Arkansas	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer), religious organizations, and accredited educational institutions.
California	Registration Generally Required	Registration required within 30 days of receiving assets. Exemptions include religious organizations, educational institutions, and hospitals.
Colorado	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually, soliciting < 10 people, and religious organizations.
Connecticut	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $50,000 annually (if all volunteer), religious organizations, and parent-teacher associations.
Delaware	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.
District of Columbia	Registration Generally Required	Registration (Basic Business License) required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Florida	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include religious and educational institutions. Small charities (<$50k revenue) may file a simplified application.
Georgia	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Hawaii	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Idaho	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.
Illinois	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $15,000 annually and religious organizations.
Indiana	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.
Iowa	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.
Kansas	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $10,000 annually (if all volunteer), soliciting < 100 people, and religious organizations.
Kentucky	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include religious organizations, educational institutions, and PTAs.
Louisiana	Limited or Situational	Registration is only required if the charity uses a professional solicitor. Otherwise, nonprofits are exempt.
Maine	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $35,000 annually (if all volunteer), soliciting < 35 people, and religious organizations.
Maryland	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Massachusetts	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $5,000 annually (if all volunteer), soliciting < 10 people, and religious organizations.
Michigan	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Minnesota	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Mississippi	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious institutions.
Missouri	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Note: Broad exemptions exist for all 501(c)(3), 501(c)(7), and 501(c)(8) organizations upon application.
Montana	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.
Nebraska	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.
Nevada	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include soliciting < 15 people, religious organizations, and appeals for a single person.
New Hampshire	Registration Generally Required	Registration required. Exemptions exist for religious organizations and those with “reasonable minimum contacts” (de minimis fundraising).
New Jersey	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $10,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
New Mexico	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include religious organizations and educational institutions.
New York	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
North Carolina	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $50,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious institutions.
North Dakota	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include religious organizations and educational institutions.
Ohio	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Oklahoma	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include religious organizations, educational institutions, and membership organizations.
Oregon	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include religious corporations and educational institutions soliciting only alumni.
Pennsylvania	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious institutions.
Rhode Island	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
South Carolina	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < 20,000(ifnopaidstaff>500/yr) or < $7,500 annually, and religious organizations.
South Dakota	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.
Tennessee	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $50,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious institutions.
Texas	Limited or Situational	Only public safety, law enforcement, and veterans’ organizations must register. Most other charities are not required to register.
Utah	Generally Not Required	Registration not required effective 5/1/2024. (Must still file IRS 990 copy with corporation filing).
Vermont	Generally Not Required	Charities are not required to register; only paid fundraisers must register.
Virginia	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $5,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Washington	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $50,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
West Virginia	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $50,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious organizations.
Wisconsin	Registration Generally Required	Registration required unless exempt. Exemptions include raising < $25,000 annually (if all volunteer) and religious institutions.
Wyoming	Generally Not Required	No charitable solicitation registration required.

Need Help Navigating Multi-State Registration?

Determining where registration is required is often the first step in building a sustainable multi-state fundraising compliance strategy.

Ironwood Registrations focuses exclusively on charitable solicitation registration and renewal compliance for nonprofits operating across multiple states. If your organization is evaluating where registration may be required, a structured review can help clarify obligations and prevent future filing issues. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.