What is charitable solicitation registration?
It is a state-level registration that lets you legally ask people in that state for donations. States use it so donors can trust the groups asking them for money.
It is separate from your IRS 501(c)(3) status. Being tax-exempt with the IRS does not register you to fundraise in any state.
Which states require it?
Roughly 40 states and the District of Columbia require some form of charitable registration before you solicit donations. Only a handful ask for nothing.
The exact rules, forms, and fees differ in every state. Where you have to register depends on where you are asking for money, not only where your office is.
What counts as "soliciting"?
Soliciting is broader than a fundraising gala. It includes mail, email, phone calls, grant requests to some funders, and a "Donate" button on your website.
Because a website reaches every state, online donations can raise the question of where you need to register. States apply a set of guidelines here, so if you fundraise online, look at where your donors actually are.
Is there one form for all states?
There is a shared form called the Unified Registration Statement that many states accept, which can save time if you register in several places.
It is not accepted everywhere, and some states still want their own form and fee. So it helps, but it is not a single national filing.
Renewals and staying in good standing
Registration is not one and done. Most states make you renew every year, often alongside a financial report.
Put the renewal dates on a calendar the day you register. Missing a renewal is the usual way a good standing quietly lapses.
What if we have not registered yet?
If you have been fundraising without registering, you are not alone, and it is fixable. Register where you need to, and catch up on any past-due filings.
Skipping it can lead to fines or losing the right to fundraise in a state, so it is worth handling calmly and soon rather than ignoring.