Last Updated: February 2026
Delaware is one of the few jurisdictions that does not require charitable solicitation registration for nonprofit organizations fundraising in the state.
As a result:
- There is no charitable registration filing requirement, and
- There are no exemption categories related to charitable solicitation registration.
This page explains what Delaware does — and does not — require, and how this fits into a multi-state compliance strategy.
Does Delaware Require Charitable Solicitation Registration?
No.
Delaware’s charitable solicitations framework does not impose a registration requirement on nonprofit organizations that solicit contributions in the state.
This means:
- Charities located in Delaware are not required to register before soliciting donations.
- Out-of-state nonprofits fundraising from Delaware residents are not required to register.
- There is no annual renewal, financial reporting, or registration fee tied to charitable solicitation activity.
Because there is no registration requirement, there is also no exemption process.
Why This Matters in Multi-State Fundraising
For national nonprofits, Delaware often creates confusion.
Many organizations assume that:
- All states require registration, or
- If a state has no exemption categories listed, registration must be required.
In Delaware’s case, the absence of exemption categories reflects the absence of a registration requirement entirely.
However, this does not eliminate other compliance considerations.
See:
How Charitable Registration Works
Corporate Qualification Is Separate
Although Delaware does not require charitable solicitation registration, nonprofit corporations may still need to:
- Register to do business in Delaware if conducting intrastate corporate activity, or
- Comply with other state-level requirements unrelated to charitable solicitation law.
This is a separate corporate law issue, not a fundraising registration issue.
For additional context:
Multi-State Registration Complexity
Online Fundraising and Delaware
Because Delaware does not require charitable solicitation registration:
- Internet solicitation activity does not trigger charitable registration in Delaware.
- The Charleston Principles analysis is not applicable for Delaware registration purposes.
However, if your organization solicits nationally online, other states may require registration based on digital outreach.
See:
Online Fundraising & Charleston Principles
Where Nonprofits Must Register Based on Online Fundraising
Common Misconceptions
“We are incorporated in Delaware, so we must register there.”
Not for charitable solicitation purposes. Incorporation and fundraising registration are separate legal regimes.
“If there is no exemption listed, we must register.”
Delaware has no exemption categories because it has no registration requirement.
“This means we can ignore Delaware entirely.”
Not necessarily. Corporate qualification, tax registration, or other regulatory matters may still apply depending on your activities.
Multi-State Planning Considerations
Delaware is often one of the first states removed from a national registration matrix. However:
- Removing one state rarely simplifies overall compliance significantly.
- Neighboring states (such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey) do require registration.
- Digital fundraising still requires careful multi-state analysis.
If you are determining your organization’s registration footprint, see:
How Many States Must My Nonprofit Register In?
Summary
Delaware does not require charitable solicitation registration.
Therefore:
- No registration filing
- No renewal
- No exemption application
- No annual financial reporting for solicitation purposes
For nonprofits fundraising nationally, Delaware is typically not part of the charitable registration compliance map.
If your organization is reviewing multi-state compliance obligations and needs clarity on where registration is required, you may: