Illinois Fundraising Licensing

• The University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University,Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State Normal University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, all educational institutions that are recognized by the State Board of Education or that are accredited by a regional accrediting association or by an organization affiliated with the National Commission on Accrediting, any foundation having an established identity with any of the aforementioned educational institutions, any other educational institution confining its solicitation of contributions to its student body, alumni, faculty and trustees, and their families
• Fraternal, patriotic, social, educational, alumni organizations and historical societies when solicitation of contributions is confined to their membership
• Persons requesting any contributions for the relief or benefit of any individual if the contributions collected are turned over to the named beneficiary, first deducting reasonable expenses for costs of banquets, or social gatherings, if any, provided all fund raising functions are carried on by persons who are unpaid, directly or indirectly, for such services
• Any bona fide union, bona fide political organization or bona fide political action committee, which does not solicit funds for a charitable purpose
• Any charitable organization receiving an allocation from an incorporated community chest or united fund provided certain conditions are met
• A bona fide organization of volunteer firemen, or a bona fide auxiliary or affiliate of such organization, provided all its fund raising activities are carried on by members of such an organization or an affiliate thereof and such members receive nocompensation, directly or indirectly
• Any charitable organization operating a nursery for infants awaiting adoption providing that all its fund raising activities are carried on by members of such an organization or an affiliate thereof and such members receive no compensation, directly or indirectly
• Any corporation established by the Federal Congress that is required by federal law to submit annual reports of its activities to Congress
• Any boys' club which is affiliated with the Boys' Club of America provided, however, that such an affiliate properly files the reports required by the Boys' Club of America and that the Boys' Club of America files with the Government of the United States the reports required by its federal charter
• Any veterans organization chartered or incorporated under federal law and any veterans organization which is affiliated with, and recognized in the bylaws of, a congressionally chartered or incorporated veterans organization
• Any parent-teacher organization that is controlled by teachers and parents of children attending a particular public or private school for which the organization is named and solicits contributions for the benefit of that particular school provided that certain conditions are met

Fax a letter to the charitable trust bureau requesting exemption.

Religious organizations

Form CO-3: Religious Exemption Form

$0

Exemptions do not expire as long as the organization continues to qualify under the exemption criteria.

Form CO-1: Registration Statement

Mail

$15

4-6 weeks

• President and CFO or another authorized officer must sign. They must be two individuals. Notarization of signatures is not needed.
• Some Illinois counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

Domestic Applicants:

• Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
• Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Illinois.
• If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
• Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Foreign Applicants:

• Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
• Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Illinois.
• Obtain certified copies of your articles of incorporation (including amendments) to file during the foreign qualification process. These documents must be dated within 90 days of the date of application for foreign qualification.
• If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
• Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Illinois Secretary of State - Business Services Department.
2. Submit a Registration Statement and all required attachments to the Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau.

Foreign Applicants:

1. File foreign qualification documents with the Illinois Secretary of State - Business Services Department (The foreign qualification requirement may be waived by sending a letter to the department notifying them that the charity is not required to register with the Secretary of State).
2. Submit a Registration Statement and all required attachments to the Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau.

• IRS form 990
• Audited financials (if applicable)
• Articles of incorporation
• Bylaws
• IRS determination letter
• List of officers and directors
• Professional fundraising contracts
• A signed statement indicating no funds were solicited or held in Illinois at any time prior to registration
• Certificate of authority to do business in Illinois

Form AG990-IL: Illinois Charitable Organization Supplement

Small nonprofits who raised <$15,000 in contributions during the calendar year do not need to file. In contrast, large nonprofits will need to submit audited finanical statements.

Mail

$15

Due annually 6 months after the close of your fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then renewal is due June 30. 

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.

There is a late fee of $100.

• Include all required attachments, including finanical audit if needed.

• IRS form 990
• Audited financials (if applicable)
• Professional fundraising contracts

Form AG990-IL: Illinois Charitable Organization Supplement

$0

Send a letter indicating change of fiscal year and then draft AG990-IL (unsigned) and letter requesting extension.

AG990-IL Charitable Organization Annual Report

$15

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.

CO-1: Registration Statement and CO-2: Financial Information Form

Mail

$15

4-6 weeks

The charity must be registered to solicit charitable contributions or otherwise exempt for the contract to be accepted.

$15

An amendment filing should be made before the expiration date of a campaign in order to extend the campaign.

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.

AG990-IL Charitable Organization Annual Report

Mail

$15

4-6 weeks

Within 6 months after the end of the campaign.

Form PFR-01: Professional Fund-Raiser Registration Statement

$100 + $25 for each contract

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/register_report.html

$100 + $25 for each contract

Annually by June 30.

Form PFR-06: Professional Fund-Raiser List of Charities and Contracts

$0

Within 10 days of the date of execution of each new contract.

Form PFR-02: Professional Fund-Raiser Annual Financial Report

$25

Annually by April 30.

Form PFR-02: Professional Fund-Raiser Annual Financial Report

$0

Annually by September 30.

Form PFC-01: Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration Statement

$0

Form PFC-01: Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration Statement (Renewal)

$0

Biennially by June 30.

$0

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.

PFC-01 Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration Statement (Amendment)

$0

If any of the information in the submitted registration statement changes, the Charitable Trust Bureau must be notified in writing within ten (10) days of the changes.

Form PT-6: Application for Pull Tabs and Jar Games License

$500 for a regular license, $50 for a limited license, and $0 for a special license.

Form PT-6: Application for Pull Tabs and Jar Games License (Renewal)

$500 for a regular license, $50 for a limited license, and $0 for a special license.

Annually