Illinois Charitable Registration Process Explained
Charitable registration plays an important role in helping nonprofits establish credibility, ensure transparency, and comply with state regulations. It legitimizes fundraising efforts and assures donors that their contributions are being used for the intended purpose.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on the Illinois charitable registration process, including requirements, filing steps, and renewal processes. We’ll also discuss how Harbor Compliance makes the registration process stress-free and offers a smooth filing experience.
What Does Illinois Charitable Registration Entail?
In Illinois, the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Bureau oversees the registration process, ensuring organizations adhere to legal requirements and maintain ethical fundraising practices.
Organizations must determine if they qualify for exemption or need full registration, appoint a registered agent, and submit necessary documents, including IRS Form 990, financial statements, and governance documents.
Organizations Exempt From Charity Registration in Illinois
As per Illinois statutes, certain organizations are automatically exempt from registering as charitable organizations in Illinois if they meet specific criteria. Some of these organizations include:
- Illinois public universities and schools recognized by the State Board of Education or accredited organizations and foundations affiliated with these institutions
- Schools soliciting donations only from students, alumni, faculty, trustees, and their families
- Libraries established under Illinois law that submit required financial reports
- Fraternal, patriotic, social, alumni, and historical societies soliciting only from members
- Fundraisers for individuals where all proceeds (minus reasonable expenses) go to the beneficiary, conducted by unpaid volunteers
- Volunteer fire departments and adoption nurseries fundraising exclusively through unpaid members
- Unions and political organizations not raising funds for charitable purposes
- Organizations receiving funds from community chests or united funds
- Boys’ clubs affiliated with the Boys’ Club of America that meet reporting requirements
- Federally recognized veterans’ organizations
Note: You can find the complete list of the exempted organizations in the Illinois Compiled Statutes.
Requirements for Illinois Charitable Solicitation Registration
To register for charitable solicitation in Illinois, you must meet specific requirements. Here’s what you need to fulfill before applying:
- Review available exemptions to determine if your organization qualifies for exemption from full registration.
- Appoint a registered agent in Illinois to receive legal documents.
- Obtain an audited financial report to include with your application if your organization meets the audit threshold.
- If your charity is based outside Illinois, provide certified copies of your articles of incorporation (dated within 90 days of the application) during the foreign qualification process.
In addition to meeting these requirements, you must also gather the following documents and attach them to the registration form:
- IRS Form 990
- Audited financial statements (if applicable)
- Articles of incorporation (or constitution, with all amendments and bylaws for unincorporated associations)
- Bylaws
- IRS determination letter confirming tax-exempt status
- List of current officers and directors
- Professional fundraising agreements (if any)
- Proof of DBA or fictitious name registration (if applicable)
- A signed statement confirming no funds were solicited or held in Illinois before registration
- Certificate of authority to conduct business in Illinois
- Additional documents for estate representatives, charitable trusts, or living trusts, including relevant declarations, amendments, and financial inventories
If your charitable organization has been operational for less than one year, you must complete and submit the Form CO-2 Financial Information Form.
How To File for Illinois Charity Registration
Once you’ve gathered the above documents and completed the requirements for registration, you can start filing using these steps:
- Submit entity formation documents to the
Illinois Secretary of State - Business Services Department.
- If your foreign organization is exempt from registration, submit foreign qualification documents to the secretary of state, along with a letter to the department stating this.
- Complete and submit the Registration Statement along with all required attachments to the Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau.
- Include the $15 registration fee, payable to the Illinois Charity Bureau Fund.
Illinois Charity Registration Annual Renewal
Charitable organizations registered in Illinois must renew their registration annually to stay compliant with state regulations. Here’s what you need to know to complete the renewal process:
- Renewal form—You need to fill out Form AG990-IL: Illinois Charitable Organization Annual Report and submit it via mail, along with a $15 renewal fee.
- Renewal deadline—Renewals are due six months after the end of your fiscal year. You can submit the renewal form as soon as your financial statements are available.
- Deadline extensions—You may request a 60-day extension by sending a letter with your
charity’s name, Charitable Organization (CO) number, and EIN to the Illinois Attorney General’s office. An
additional extension of two and a half months may be requested by submitting the following:
- An unsigned AG990-IL form marked “draft” at the top
- A formal letter requesting the extension
- A preliminary income statement and balance sheet
- IRS Form 8868
- The $15 renewal fee
- Late fee—A late fee of $100 will apply if the renewal is not submitted on time.
Challenges of Self-Registering a Charity
Registering a charitable organization in Illinois can be complicated and time-consuming as it requires close attention to state-specific regulations. Organizations often face several challenges during this process, such as:
- Identifying and completing the correct registration forms, especially for first-time applicants
- Keeping up with annual renewal deadlines to maintain compliance
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial and operational records
- Meeting the regulatory requirements set by the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Bureau
- Navigating multi-state registrations, each with unique rules and filing procedures
Not meeting these requirements can result in significant consequences, including fines, loss of tax-exempt status, suspension of fundraising privileges, and damage to your organization’s reputation with donors and grant-makers. To avoid these risks, you can turn to professional service providers, such as Harbor Compliance, to streamline the registration process.
Make Illinois Charitable Registration Stress-Free With Harbor Compliance
Registering a charitable organization doesn’t have to be overwhelming—especially when you have a trusted compliance partner like Harbor Compliance to handle the complexities for you. With years of experience managing thousands of registrations annually, Harbor Compliance has earned a reputation as a trusted leader in the field.
Our Charitable Registration Service allows you to focus on what matters most—fundraising through mail, phone, email, social media, or grant applications—while a team of experts ensures that your organization remains fully compliant with Illinois state regulations.
After acquiring Labyrinth, Inc., the largest provider of charitable registration services in the U.S., Harbor Compliance now oversees more than 60% of registrations for organizations fundraising in 38 or more states. This expanded expertise means faster, more efficient services for nonprofits of all sizes.
Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Services
With a dedicated specialist managing your filings from start to finish, Harbor Compliance takes the stress out of registration. For added convenience, you can even opt for a Power of Attorney option, allowing us to sign applications on your behalf.
In addition to charitable registrations, our customized solutions cater to professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-venturers, ensuring every aspect of compliance is seamlessly managed. Our services also include:
- Registered Agent Service—Hire us as your registered agent, and we’ll handle all legal correspondence, ensuring secure and prompt delivery of important documents.
- Foreign Qualification Service—If you’re expanding to a new state, we help you manage the entire foreign qualification process, from obtaining certificates of good standing to securing final approvals.
- Tax Exemption Assistance—Rely on our experts to help your nonprofit obtain state tax exemptions, saving you time and reducing administrative burdens.
How To Get Started With Our Charitable Registration Service
Ready to connect with our team for expert guidance on your state’s charitable registration requirements? Follow these simple steps to get started:
- Visit the Charitable Registration Service page.
- Share your details, including contact information, legal organization name, and business structure.
- Submit the form, and our experts will reach out to you with personalized support.
Looking to deepen your understanding of charitable registration and compliance? Download our free white papers:
Additional Services Offered by Harbor Compliance
Beyond charitable registration, we offer a wide range of services to help organizations meet legal requirements and maintain good standing with the state. Explore the complete list of our services in the table below:
Category | Services |
---|---|
Document filing and retrieval | Drop-off filing Articles of reinstatement Certificates of good standing Certificates of authority Certified copies |
Licensing support | General business licenses Industry-specific licenses, such as construction, engineering, and architecture |
Entity lifecycle management | Name reservation DBA registration Amendments Initial and annual reports |
Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting | BOI reporting Records Manager |
Nonprofit formation | Incorporation 501(c) tax exemption |
Tax services | Payroll tax registration Sales and use tax registration Employer Identification Number (EIN) |
Charity Registration in Illinois FAQs
Below, you can find the answers to frequently asked questions about registering a charitable organization in Illinois. For additional details, explore our Information Center.
Organizations, such as accredited educational institutions, certain fraternal and alumni organizations, unions, political organizations, and veterans’ groups, may be exempt. You can review the full list of exemptions in the Illinois statutes to confirm eligibility.
Foreign organizations must file foreign qualification documents with the Illinois secretary of state. If foreign qualification isn’t required, submit a letter stating the exemption. They must also submit a registration statement and all required attachments to the Charitable Trust Bureau.
When renewing your charitable registration in Illinois, you must submit the following attachments, along with Form AG990-IL and the $15 renewal fee:
- IRS Form 990
- Audited financials (if applicable)
- Professional fundraising contracts (if applicable)
- IFC Report of Individual Fund-Raising Campaign (if applicable)
Harbor Compliance—Simplifying Your Charity Registration Journey
Harbor Compliance takes the complexity out of charitable registration, saving your organization time and resources. Order our Charitable Registration Service to streamline the process and focus on your mission while we ensure full compliance.
Our team of experienced specialists offers tailored solutions and efficient systems to manage every aspect of compliance—from initial registrations and renewals to securing state tax exemptions. With Harbor Compliance, staying compliant becomes simple, efficient, and stress-free.
Wondering if your organization is compliant with state regulations? Use our FREE Harbor Compliance Score™ to assess whether you meet key requirements. You can also contact us to learn more about our full range of services and schedule a demo to see our Software Suite in action.
Curious about charitable registration requirements and processes nationwide? Check out the table below:
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- Illinois Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Illinois Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Illinois Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Illinois Bingo License
Initial Registration
Agency: | Illinois Department of Revenue |
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 for a regular bingo license or $50 for a limited license. |
Illinois Charitable Gaming Licenses
Game Type: | Various games of chance |
Agency: | Illinois Department of Revenue |
Age Restrictions: | Participants must be at least 18 years old. |
Registration Renewal
Agency: | Illinois Department of Revenue |
Form: | Form RCG-1: Application for Charitable Games License (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $400 |
Due: | Biennially |
Notes: | Organizations must also submit Form RCG-25: Expenditure of Funds Earned Through Charitable Games when renewing. |
Illinois Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Not required
Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Illinois.
No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities. Illinois exempts charities from insurance regulation related to charitable gift annuities if they meet the following conditions: "The insurance laws of this State, including this Code, do not apply to any charitable gift annuity, as defined in Section 501(m)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, issued by an organization that is described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, if either (i) an insurer authorized to transact business in this State is directly obligated to the annuitant or (ii) the organization has been in active operation for not less than 20 years before the date the annuity is issued and has an unrestricted fund balance of not less than $2,000,000 on the date the annuity is issued. For purposes of this Section, "Internal Revenue Code" refers to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and corresponding provisions of subsequent federal tax laws.".
Law: | 215 ILCS 5/121-2.10 |
Illinois Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: | Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau |
Law: | |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Yes |
Automatic Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Law: |
One-Time Exemption Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Form: | Form CO-1 Registration Statement, Form CO-2 Financial Information Form, and Form CO-3 Religious Exemption Form (if requesting an exemption as a religious organization) |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Law: | |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notes: | Exemptions do not expire as long as the organization continues to qualify under the exemption criteria. |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Turnaround: | 4-6 weeks |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Notes: | President and CFO or another authorized officer must sign. They must be two individuals. Notarization of signatures is not needed. |
Before you Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Illinois Charitable Organization Annual Report
Form: | Form AG990-IL: Illinois Charitable Organization Annual Report |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Due: |
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Due Date Extension: | Due dates can be extended for 60 days beyond the original due date by sending a letter including the name, CO number, and EIN number of the charity to the attorney general's office. If more time is needed, a second extension of an additional 2.5 months is available. When applying for a second extensions, charities must submit an unsigned AG990IL with "draft" written at the top, a letter requesting extension, preliminary income statement and balance sheet, IRS Form 8868, and the $15 renewal fee. |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Penalties: | There is a late fee of $100. |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Reinstatement
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 re-registration fee + $200 late registration fee + $15 annual report filing fee (for each missing report) + $100 late annual report filing fee (for each missing report) |
Penalties: | Charities suspected of violating the Illinois Solicitation for Charity Act are subject to an investigation by the Attorney General who may cancel an organization’s registration. If found to violate this Act and upon application from the Attorney General, the court can administer one of the following judgments:
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Notes: | Charities that do not submit their annual report by the due date or granted extension date or who have their registration canceled must go through the re-registration process and pay all applicable fees. |
Required Attachments: |
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Change of Fiscal Year
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | Send a letter indicating change of fiscal year and then draft AG990-IL (unsigned) and letter requesting extension. |
Cancelation
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Notes: | To close out your registration, file a final annual report with "FINAL" written across the top and original signatures. Organizations must also provide a letter indicating that they wish to withdraw and proof of dissolution or withdrawal from the Secretary of State. |
Illinois Commercial Co-Venturer Campaign Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Illinois.
Illinois does not issue a CCV-specific license, but some CCVs may need to register under the Charitable Trust Act.
More information: Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust BureauContract Filing
Form: | CO-1: Registration Statement and CO-2: Financial Information Form |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Turnaround: | 4-6 weeks |
Due: | Contracts must be filed before fundraising activity begins. |
Notes: | For a CCV to partner with a charity, the charity must be registered to solicit charitable contributions or be otherwise exempt from registration. |
Background Check Requirements: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
Contract Amendment
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Due: | An amendment filing should be made before the expiration date of a campaign in order to extend the campaign. |
Notes: | To report an extension of a campaign or another change to a campaign agreement, submit a cover letter describing the change and include a copy of the amended agreement. |
Financial Reporting
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Turnaround: | 4-6 weeks |
Due: | Within 6 months after the end of the campaign. |
Professional fund raiser means any person who for compensation or other consideration, conducts, manages, or carries on any solicitation or fund raising drive or campaign in this State or from this State or on behalf of a charitable organization residing within this State for the purpose of soliciting, receiving, or collecting contributions for or on behalf of any charitable organization or any other person, or who engages in the business of, or holds himself out to persons in this State as independently engaged in the business of soliciting, receiving, or collecting contributions for such purposes. A bona fide director, officer, employee or unpaid volunteer of a charitable organization shall not be deemed a professional fund raiser unless the person is in a management position and the majority of the individual's salary or other compensation is computed on a percentage basis of funds to be raised, or actually raised.
Illinois Professional Fundraiser Registration
Agency: | Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau |
Law: | |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
Bond Requirements: | $10,000 |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Yes |
Initial Registration
Form: | Form PFR-01: Professional Fund-Raiser Registration Statement |
Instructions: | Mail to: |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 + $25 for each contract |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | Form PFR-01: Professional Fund-Raiser Registration Statement (Re-registration) |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 + $25 for each contract |
Due: | Annually by June 30. |
Required Attachments: |
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Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 10 days of the date of execution of each new contract. |
Notes: |
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Financial Reporting
Mid-Year Financial Report
Form: | Form PFR-02: Professional Fund-Raiser Annual Financial Report |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually by September 30. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Required Attachments: |
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Financial Reporting
Annual Financial Report
Form: | Form PFR-02: Professional Fund-Raiser Annual Financial Report |
Agency Fee: | $25 |
Due: | Annually by April 30. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Required Attachments: |
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Professional fund raising consultant means any person who is retained by a charitable organization or trustee for a fixed fee or rate that is not computed on a percentage of funds to be raised, or actually raised, under a written agreement, to only plan, advise, consult, or prepare materials for a solicitation of contributions in this State, but who does not manage, conduct or carry on a fundraising campaign and who does not solicit contributions or employ, procure, or engage any compensated person to solicit contributions and who does not at any time have custody or control of contributions. A volunteer, employee or salaried officer of a charitable organization or trustee maintaining a permanent establishment or office in this State is not a professional fundraising consultant. An attorney, investment counselor, or banker who advises an individual, corporation or association to make a charitable contribution is not a professional fundraising consultant as a result of the advice.
Illinois Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration
Agency: | Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau |
Law: | |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Yes |
Initial Registration
Form: | Form PFC-01: Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration Statement |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Before you Apply: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | Form PFC-01: Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration Statement (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Biennially by June 30. |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Copies of all fundraising contracts must be submitted to Charitable Trust Bureau upon registration. Changes to the registration application, including new contract agreements, must be filed within 10 days of the changes. |
Notes: | Contracts must contain the charity's legal name, their registration number, a street address, a contact party, and the party's daytime telephone number. |
Amendment
Form: | PFC-01 Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration Statement (Amendment) |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | If any of the information in the submitted registration statement changes, the Charitable Trust Bureau must be notified in writing within 10 days of the changes. |
Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games License
Initial Registration
Agency: | Illinois Department of Revenue |
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $500 for a regular license, $50 for a limited license, and $0 for a special license. |
Registration Renewal
Agency: | Illinois Department of Revenue |
Form: | Form PT-6: Application for Pull Tabs and Jar Games License (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $500 for a regular license, $50 for a limited license, and $0 for a special license. |
Due: | Annually |
Illinois Raffle License
Not required
Charitable Gaming licensure is not required on the State level in Illinois.
Raffle licenses are issued at the county or municipal level.
Individual Licenses
Illinois Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Illinois Professional Solicitor Registration
Agency: | Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Original Ink: | Not Required |
Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Form PS-01: Professional Solicitor Registration Statement (Re-registration) |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually by June 30. |
