Iowa Fundraising Licensing
Below, you'll find licensing requirements for a range of fundraising activities. At a glance, you can see requirements, fees, filing instructions, and links to forms for everything from charitable gaming and cause marketing to professional fundraisers and charitable gift annuities.
Make sure your fundraising activities meet the unique requirements of each jurisdiction where you’re soliciting. Feel free to explore, bookmark, and share!
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- Iowa Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Iowa Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Iowa Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Iowa 14-Day Qualified Organization License
| Game Type: | Bingo, raffles, and a variety of other games of chance. |
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
Initial Registration
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - 14-Day Qualified Organization |
| Agency Fee: | $15 |
Registration Renewal
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - 14-Day Qualified Organization (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $15 |
| Due: | 14 days after the effective date. |
Iowa 180-Day Qualified Organization License
| Game Type: | Bingo, raffles, and a variety of other games of chance. |
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
Initial Registration
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - 180-Day Qualified Organization |
| Agency Fee: | $75 |
Registration Renewal
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - 180-Day Qualified Organization (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $75 |
| Due: | 180 days after the effective date. |
Iowa 90-Day Qualified Organization License
| Game Type: | Bingo, raffles, and a variety of other games of chance. |
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
Initial Registration
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - 90-Day Qualified Organization |
| Agency Fee: | $40 |
Registration Renewal
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - 90-Day Qualified Organization (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $40 |
| Due: | 90 days after the effective date. |
Iowa Bingo at a Fair or Festival License
| Game Type: | Bingo, raffles, and a variety of other games of chance. |
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
Initial Registration
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - Bingo at a Fair or Festival |
| Agency Fee: | $50 |
Iowa Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Initial Registration
| Notes: | Iowa charities must provide notice on the day they first enter into a charitable gift annuity agreement. Notices must identify the organization, certify that the organization is a charity and that the annuities issued are qualified charitable gift annuities, include an IRS letter of determination, and be signed by an officer or director. |
Registration Renewal
Not required
Iowa Charitable Solicitation Registration
Not required
Charitable Registration licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.
- Out-of-state nonprofits may need to obtain a ceritificate of authority, appoint a local registered agent, register for taxes, and more, depending on the operations planned within Iowa borders.
- Professional fundraisers and charitable trusts must register with the Iowa Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.
- Some Iowa counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.
Iowa Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.
Iowa does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.
Iowa Fundraising Counsel Registration
Not required
Fundraising Counsel licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.
Iowa does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for fundraising counsels, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.
Iowa One-Year Qualified Organization License
| Game Type: | Bingo, raffles, and a variety of other games of chance. |
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
Initial Registration
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - One-Year Qualified Organization |
| Agency Fee: | $150 |
Registration Renewal
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - One-Year Qualified Organization (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $150 |
| Due: | Annually by the date of issuance. |
“Professional commercial fund-raiser” means any person who for compensation solicits contributions in Iowa for a charitable organization other than the person. A person whose sole responsibility is to mail fund-raising literature is not a professional commercial fund-raiser. A lawyer, investment counselor, or banker who advises a person to make a charitable contribution is not, as a result of such advice, a professional commercial fund-raiser. A bona fide salaried officer, employee, or volunteer of a charitable organization is not a professional commercial fund-raiser.
Iowa Professional Fundraiser Registration
| Agency: | Iowa Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
Contract Filing
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
Iowa Two-Year Qualified Organization License
Initial Registration
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - Two-Year Qualified Organization |
| Agency Fee: | $150 |
Registration Renewal
| Agency: | Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals - Social and Charitable Gambling Unit |
| Form: | Charitable Gambling License Application - Two-Year Qualified Organization (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $150 |
| Due: | Biennially by the date of issuance. |
Individual Licenses
Iowa Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Iowa Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa.
Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Iowa.
