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Connecticut Multi-State Fundraising Compliance Guide

Last Updated: February 2026

Connecticut maintains a structured charitable solicitation registration framework administered by the Department of Consumer Protection. Any organization that solicits contributions in Connecticut must register prior to beginning solicitation and must remain registered while fundraising in the state.

For national nonprofits, Connecticut’s audit thresholds and annual renewal requirements make it a state that requires active monitoring as part of a multi-state compliance strategy.

For broader planning context, see:

When Registration Is Required in Connecticut

Registration is required if an organization:

  • Solicits contributions from Connecticut residents
  • Conducts fundraising campaigns in the state
  • Uses third parties to solicit in Connecticut

Registration must be completed before solicitation begins.

Out-of-state nonprofits are not automatically required to qualify to do business in Connecticut solely because of charitable registration. However, other business activities in the state may separately trigger corporate qualification requirements.

For online fundraising implications:

Initial Registration Overview

Connecticut registration is valid for one year.

Initial filing generally includes:

  • Charitable Organization Registration Application (or URS)
  • IRS determination letter (or filed Form 1023/1024 if pending)
  • IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF (not 990-N)
  • Filing fee

Initial Filing Fee: $50

If the organization has not yet completed its first fiscal year, financial documents are not required at initial registration.

Audit and Financial Review Thresholds

Connecticut imposes financial reporting thresholds based on revenue (excluding government grants or fees):

  • Revenue over $1 million typically requires audited financial statements
  • Revenue between $500,000 and $1 million typically requires CPA-reviewed financial statements

A written audit waiver request may be permitted in limited circumstances.

For national organizations approaching these thresholds, coordination between charitable registration reporting and audit preparation becomes operationally significant.

See also:

Exemptions

Connecticut requires organizations to formally claim exemption by filing an exemption application online. Approval is generally required before exemption status is recognized.

Exempt categories include:

  • Religious organizations
  • Accredited educational institutions and parent-teacher associations
  • Nonprofit hospitals
  • Governmental entities
  • Organizations receiving less than $50,000 annually in contributions (provided no one is compensated primarily for conducting solicitations)

The $50,000 threshold applies to worldwide contributions, not Connecticut-only revenue.

Given your typical client profile, most national nonprofits will not qualify for exemption.

For broader exemption strategy:

Annual Renewal

Connecticut requires annual renewal.

Due Date:
Eleven months after the close of the fiscal year. The due date is based on the date received by the state—not the postmark date.

Financial Reporting

Connecticut no longer requires submission of financial statements with renewal. However:

  • Organizations must have completed their IRS Form 990 for the year.
  • Financial records must be retained for at least three years.
  • Audit thresholds still apply, and documentation must be maintained in case of state review.

Renewal Fee: $50
Late Fee: $25 per month or partial month

Extensions are not available.

For coordinated multi-state calendar management:

Disclosure Requirements

Connecticut does not impose a broad statewide charitable solicitation disclosure statement requirement comparable to some other states. However, professional fundraiser relationships are regulated.

For a 50-state disclosure comparison:

Professional Fundraisers

Organizations engaging:

  • Professional solicitors
  • Fundraising counsel
  • Commercial co-venturers

must comply with separate regulatory requirements.

See:

Governance and Risk Considerations

Connecticut’s registration status is publicly searchable and frequently reviewed during:

  • Grant due diligence
  • Board-level compliance reviews
  • Audit preparation
  • Mergers or affiliations

Failure to register may affect representations made on IRS Form 990.

For broader risk analysis:

Connecticut in a National Compliance Strategy

Connecticut is administratively manageable but requires disciplined renewal tracking due to its unique eleven-month renewal cycle. For organizations operating across multiple states, centralized oversight prevents deadline misalignment and audit coordination issues.

For structured multi-state planning:

If your organization is fundraising in Connecticut as part of a broader national strategy, coordinated multi-state compliance reduces governance risk and administrative inefficiency.

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