Episode of The Nonprofit Compliance Brief — practical guidance on charitable solicitation compliance.
Episode Summary:
Hiring a professional fundraiser or fundraising consultant can accelerate a nonprofit’s development efforts, but it also introduces additional compliance obligations that organizations often overlook. This episode explores the regulatory requirements that may apply when engaging outside fundraising support, including registration, disclosure, and reporting responsibilities at the state level. The discussion clarifies how regulators distinguish between different types of fundraising relationships and what nonprofits should understand before entering into an agreement.
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Educational podcast for nonprofit leadership and compliance teams covering charitable solicitation registration and multi-state fundraising requirements.
Episode Length: 25 minutes
Release Date: February 26, 2026
Series: The Nonprofit Compliance Brief
New episodes released weekly covering nonprofit compliance and multi-state fundraising.
Key Topics Covered
- Types of professional fundraisers and fundraising consultants
- State registration requirements for professional fundraisers
- Contract disclosure and filing obligations
- Joint responsibility between nonprofits and fundraising vendors
- Compensation structures and regulatory considerations
- Required donor disclosures during solicitations
- Reporting and financial transparency requirements
- Multi-state implications when campaigns expand geographically
- Common compliance mistakes when hiring fundraising support
- Practical steps to evaluate compliance before signing a contract
Episode Overview
Bringing in outside fundraising expertise is a common step for growing nonprofits, particularly during campaigns or periods of expansion. This episode examines how hiring a fundraiser changes the compliance landscape, often introducing additional regulatory layers beyond standard charitable solicitation registrations. Many states regulate professional fundraising relationships separately, requiring contracts, registrations, or disclosures that nonprofits may not anticipate.
The discussion explains how regulators focus on transparency and donor protection when third parties are involved in solicitation activities. Even when a fundraiser handles outreach directly, the nonprofit typically retains responsibility for ensuring compliance requirements are met. Misunderstanding these shared obligations can lead to filing gaps or unexpected regulatory inquiries.
Designed for nonprofit executives, development leaders, and board members, this episode provides a practical framework for evaluating fundraising partnerships through a compliance lens. By understanding regulatory expectations before launching a campaign or engagement, organizations can benefit from external fundraising support while maintaining strong compliance practices and donor confidence.
Unsure whether your organization needs to register before fundraising? We help nonprofits evaluate requirements across all states.
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Who Should Listen
- Executive directors planning fundraising expansion
- Development and fundraising teams
- Finance and compliance staff
- Board members overseeing risk management
- Organizations launching online donation programs
Related Compliance Resources
- Charitable Solicitation Registration Services
- Multi-State Fundraising Compliance Guide
- How Professional Fundraisers Affect Compliance
- Charitable Solicitation Registration Requirements
Episode Transcript
About The Nonprofit Compliance Brief
The Nonprofit Compliance Brief explores the regulatory and operational realities nonprofits face as fundraising expands across multiple jurisdictions. Each episode explains complex compliance topics in clear, practical terms to help organizations understand requirements before they become problems.
Learn more and browse all episodes on The Nonprofit Compliance Brief Podcast.
About the Host
The podcast is produced by Ironwood Registrations. The firm focuses exclusively on charitable solicitation registration and multi-state compliance management for nonprofit organizations.
Discuss Your Compliance Questions
If your organization is evaluating fundraising expansion or navigating multi-state registration requirements, you may schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.
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