Last Updated: February 2026
Nonprofits that plan to request donations from residents of North Carolina generally must secure a charitable solicitation license before beginning fundraising activities. Because the state requires annual renewals tied to your fiscal year and specific documentation updates, multi-state organizations often benefit from centralized compliance management.
If your organization is fundraising nationally or managing multiple registrations, coordinated filings can significantly reduce administrative burden.
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At-a-Glance Overview
Regulator:
North Carolina Secretary of State — Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division
Who Must Register:
Most nonprofits must obtain a solicitation license prior to requesting donations from North Carolina residents.
Registration Term:
Typically valid for one year.
Filing Method:
Initial and renewal filings may be completed online or by submitting paper forms.
Registration Fees:
Scaled based on the organization’s contribution level.
View All Charitable State Requirements
Who Is Required to Register
Organizations generally must register if they:
- Are located in North Carolina and solicit donations
- Request contributions from individuals or businesses located in the state
- Use third parties or contractors to solicit funds on their behalf
- Conduct online fundraising that reaches North Carolina donors
Out-of-state nonprofits that only obtain the charitable solicitation license are not automatically required to register as a foreign entity with the corporations division, although other business activity in the state may trigger separate qualification requirements.
Initial Registration Process
Filing Agency
Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division
North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State
Typical Required Information
Initial filings commonly include:
- Organizational formation documents
- IRS determination letter
- Governing documents
- List of officers and directors
- Current IRS Form 990 or financial statements
- Disclosure regarding professional fundraisers, if applicable
A notarized signature from a financial officer or equivalent representative is typically required for paper filings.
Registration Fees
North Carolina uses a tiered fee structure based on total contributions received during the prior fiscal year (excluding certain types of revenue such as membership dues or government grants).
Exemptions From Registration
Some organizations or activities may be exempt from licensing requirements, including:
- Certain emergency service or community-based organizations
- Individuals or professionals providing advisory services rather than soliciting funds
- Activities that do not meet the legal definition of a solicitation
Even when exempt, organizations should evaluate whether a formal exemption filing or documentation is recommended for recordkeeping.
Annual Renewal Requirements
Registration must be renewed each year to maintain authority to solicit in the state.
Renewal Timing
- Renewal filings are typically due approximately four and a half months after the close of the organization’s fiscal year
- The state generally sends reminder materials prior to license expiration
Extensions
- An additional filing extension may be requested, typically by submitting documentation associated with your federal extension
Late Filing Consequences
Late renewals may result in monthly penalties until the filing is completed.
Annual Financial Reporting
A financial report must be submitted along with each renewal filing.
This typically includes:
- IRS Form 990 (or equivalent financial documentation)
- Updated financial information for the most recently completed fiscal year
Financial Reporting & Audit Thresholds (North Carolina)
North Carolina’s charitable solicitation framework requires annual financial disclosure as part of renewal. Larger organizations may need to provide higher levels of financial documentation depending on their revenue and reporting profile.
For multi-state fundraisers, maintaining consistent audited or reviewed financial statements across jurisdictions often simplifies compliance and reduces renewal risk.
If your organization is approaching higher reporting thresholds or preparing audited financials for multiple states, centralized management can prevent delays or inconsistent submissions.
Estimated Processing & Planning Considerations
- Registration and renewal timelines can vary depending on filing volume and completeness of documentation.
- Organizations fundraising across many jurisdictions should plan renewal workflows several months before fiscal year end.
Managing registrations across multiple states?
Ironwood Registrations coordinates multi-state filings, annual renewals, and compliance calendars.
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