Last Updated: February 2026
South Dakota does not require charitable organizations to register before soliciting contributions in the state.
Because South Dakota does not maintain a charitable solicitation registration program, there are no charitable solicitation registration exemptions to evaluate.
This page explains what that means for nonprofits fundraising in South Dakota and how the state fits into a broader multi-state compliance strategy.
For an overview of how charitable registration systems generally operate, see:
How Charitable Registration Works
Does South Dakota Require Charitable Solicitation Registration?
No.
Charitable organizations soliciting contributions from South Dakota residents are not required to:
- File an initial charitable solicitation registration
- Submit annual renewal filings
- Pay charitable registration fees
- Apply for exemption from registration
This applies to:
- South Dakota-based nonprofits
- Out-of-state nonprofits soliciting South Dakota donors
- Organizations receiving online donations from South Dakota residents
For comparison with states that do require registration, see:
Charitable Solicitation Registration Requirements by State
Are There Any Exemptions in South Dakota?
No.
Because South Dakota does not impose a charitable solicitation registration requirement, there are no statutory exemption categories such as:
- Small charity revenue thresholds
- Religious exemptions
- Educational exemptions
- Volunteer-only exemptions
In states with registration laws, exemptions determine whether a nonprofit must file. In South Dakota, registration itself is not required.
Online Fundraising and South Dakota
Accepting online donations from South Dakota residents does not trigger a charitable solicitation registration requirement in South Dakota.
However, online fundraising frequently triggers registration obligations in other jurisdictions.
If your organization:
- Maintains a donation-enabled website,
- Conducts national email campaigns, or
- Uses online fundraising platforms,
you may still be required to register in many other states.
For digital compliance analysis:
Online Fundraising & Charleston Principles
Where Nonprofits Must Register Based on Online Fundraising
Other Legal Considerations
The absence of charitable solicitation registration does not eliminate all compliance obligations.
Nonprofits operating in South Dakota may still need to consider:
- Corporate formation or foreign qualification requirements
- Consumer protection statutes
- Tax registration obligations
- Contractual compliance for grant funding
These obligations are separate from charitable solicitation registration.
For broader compliance context:
Multi-State Charitable Registration Complexity
Strategic Planning for National Nonprofits
For organizations fundraising nationally:
- South Dakota is typically excluded from the charitable registration compliance matrix.
- Neighboring states such as North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa (no registration), Nebraska (no registration), and Montana (no registration) have varying requirements.
- Most other states require registration before solicitation.
To determine where your nonprofit must register:
How Many States Must Nonprofits Register In?
If your organization is conducting a multi-state compliance review and needs clarity on which states require registration and which do not: