Maryland 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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- Maryland Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Maryland Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Maryland Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Maryland Bingo and Raffle Licenses
Not required
Charitable Gaming licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.
There is no state level licensing for games of chance in Maryland, however, many Maryland counties license charitable organizations for games of bingo and raffles.
Maryland Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Initial Registration
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | Maryland requires charities to apply for a permit to receive exemption from state insurance laws. There is no form, but the charity should submit proof that it meets the requirements for exemption. To qualify organizations must have been in existence as a 501(c)(3) for at least 10 years and must maintain a separate fund reserve fund for annuity funds. |
Fact Checked: | 12/4/17 |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually within 90 days of the charity's fiscal year end. |
Notes: | There is no renewal form, but charities should submit the required statements and audit to renew their permit. |
Fact Checked: | 12/4/17 |
Maryland Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Law: | Maryland Ann. Code, Business Regulation Article, § 6-401 et seq |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Fact Checked: | 4/10/20 |
One-Time Exemption Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
Charitable organizations that do not use a professional solicitor and either:
Additionally, the Secretary of State may exempt from the requirement of a registration statement or annual report a charitable organization that:
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Law: | Maryland Ann. Code, Business Regulation Article, § 6-102 and Maryland Ann. Code, Business Regulation Article, § 6-413 |
Notes: | There is no registration requirement, but charities must submit a letter to the Secretary of State stating their claim of an exemption. |
Fact Checked: | 1/16/20 |
Registration to Obtain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: | Charities that received less than $25,000 in contributions during their most recent fiscal year |
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Fact Checked: | 8/15/18 |
Renewal to Maintain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: | Charities that received less than $25,000 in contributions during their most recent fiscal year |
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually within 8 months after fiscal year end. |
Fact Checked: | 8/15/18 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0-300, depending on charitable contributions |
Turnaround: | 4-6 weeks |
Notes: |
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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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Fact Checked: | 4/14/20 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Maryland Annual Update of Registration. The URS is not accepted. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0-300, depending on charitable contributions |
Due: | Due annually 6 months after the close of your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then renewal is due June 30. |
Due Date Extension: | Due dates are automatically extended for 4.5 months beyond the original due date. |
Penalties: | There is a late fee of $25 for each month that passes after the due date. |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Fact Checked: | 2/4/20 |
Change of Fiscal Year
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Varies |
Notes: | Fiscal year can be changed during the standard renewal process. |
Fact Checked: | 12/7/18 |
Cancellation
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | To close out your registration, submit articles of dissolution or a letter stating the organization is no longer soliciting in Maryland. Past due filings or fees are not required in order to close an organization's registration. |
Fact Checked: | 7/14/20 |
Maryland Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.
Maryland 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.
Maryland Fund-Raising Counsel Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Due: | Annually |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | A Fund-Raising Counsel is required to submit a copy of each fund-raising agreement by the tenth day after the agreement is made or the start of the charitable solicitation, whichever is earlier. |
Fact Checked: | 8/1/19 |
Maryland Professional Solicitor Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $350 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | http://sos.maryland.gov/Charity/Pages/Register-Professional-Solicitor.aspx |
Agency Fee: | $350 |
Due: | Annually |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Contract Filing
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | File a fundraising notice prior to starting a public solicitation campaign. |
Fact Checked: | 8/1/19 |
Financial Reporting
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | A final accounting report is required within three months after the end of each fund-raising campaign and must account for all funds received and disbursed during the entire fund-raising campaign. |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Maryland Public Safety Solicitor Registration
Agency: | Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Notes: | This application must be submitted by a Public Safety Solicitor for each Public Safety Organization with which the Public Safety Solicitor contracts. |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Individual Licenses
Maryland Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Maryland Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.
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 Maryland.
