Maryland Charitable Registration Process Explained

With nearly 31,800 Maryland nonprofits employing 13% of the state’s workforce, transparency and accountability are critical in the state’s nonprofit sector. If you’re planning to fundraise in the state, registering your charitable organization is a legal requirement that helps build public trust and strengthens your organization’s credibility.

In this article, we’ll discuss the Maryland charitable registration **process**, covering key steps like initial registration and annual reporting. We’ll also explore how Harbor Compliance supports nonprofit organizations to ensure a seamless registration experience.

Maryland Charitable Solicitation Registration

Under the Maryland Solicitations Act, charities and fundraisers must register with the Secretary of State—Charitable Organizations Division before soliciting charitable contributions in Maryland. The law also prohibits deceptive practices in charitable solicitation and requires annual registration and reporting.

You must complete the registration before your organization starts soliciting charity donations. Donations can be requested in many ways, including phone calls, text messages, social media posts, emails, direct mail, or in-person requests at local stores.

Exemptions From MD Charitable Registration

Certain types of charitable organizations are not required to register under the Maryland Solicitations Act. This includes religious organizations, educational institutions, hospital foundations, veterans’ organizations chartered under federal law, volunteer organizations, and firefighters or rescue/ambulance personnel involved in firefighting or rescue operations. However, some of these exemptions apply only if the organization does not use a professional solicitor.
The following documents are required for exemption:

• A written request for exemption
• The organization’s bylaws
• A copy of the IRS tax determination letter confirming tax-exempt status
• Articles of incorporation
• Additional information explaining the organization’s mission

Organizations that solicit donations solely from their members are also exempt from registration. To be eligible, members must receive benefits beyond voting, electing officers, or holding office and provide the following documents:

• A copy of its bylaws detailing member rights
• A statement outlining the individuals or groups from whom donations are solicited

Maryland Nonprofit Registration Requirements

Before starting the process of initial registration for your charitable organization, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete the COR-92 form with the details of your organization and its purpose.
• Obtain the current copy of the organization’s Articles of Incorporation and bylaws.
• Secure a copy of your organization’s IRS tax determination letter or any other documents issued by the IRS.
• Get your financial review performed by an independent certified public accountant if your organization’s contributions are at least $300,000 but less than $750,000. However, for private foundations associated with any Maryland state agency, the threshold is $100,000.
• Get an audit performed by an independent certified public accountant if the contributions are at least $750,000.
• Submit an Audit and Agreed Upon Procedures Report if your organization is affiliated with any Maryland State agency.
• Provide the current list of the board of directors for your organization.
• Submit copies of all contracts with professional solicitors or fundraising consultants, along with any subcontracts or other agreements related to these contracts under which solicitation is carried out in Maryland.

You’re required to submit the documentation only if your organization received over $25,000 in direct support from public and private foundations, corporate grants, or special fundraising events in the last fiscal year. You also need to submit the necessary documents if you used a Professional Solicitor for fundraising, even with under $25,000 raised.

However, if your organization received less than $25,000, you only need to submit the Exempt Organization Fundraising Notice, with no registration fee.

Initial Charitable Registration in Maryland

To register your charitable organization with the secretary of state, follow these steps to fill out the initial registration application:

1. Go to the Maryland OneStop homepage and create an account.
2. Navigate to the Public Profile page for the charities initial registration application.
3. Fill out the initial registration form by inputting information about your organization’s purpose and financial status.
4. Submit the application along with the registration fee (ranging from $50 to $300).

Once you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and the secretary of state’s Charity Officers will also be notified. If everything is in order, your application will be approved, and you will receive a confirmation email from the system.

However, if revisions are needed, you’ll receive a notification from OneStop detailing the required changes. You can then make the necessary adjustments and resubmit your application for review.

Maryland Charitable Registration Renewal

If your charitable organization is registered in the state of Maryland and has an existing record with the secretary of state, you must file for annual renewal to maintain your registration. This annual update must be submitted within six months after your organization’s fiscal year ends. You should note that the renewal to maintain the exemption has a different due date. It must be renewed annually within eight months after the fiscal year ends (there are no extensions).

If you miss the annual registration deadline but have a current registration, it will automatically be extended until the 15th day of the 11th month after the end of your last fiscal year.

Here are the steps to submit the annual update:

1. In your Charity Record, select Complete Renewal Application from the Actions dropdown.
2. Review the form; some fields (like the organization address) will be pre-filled and editable, while others (such as the expiration date and charity ID) will not be.
3. Fill in all required fields and upload any necessary documents.
4. Click Submit at the end of the form.
5. If a fee is required, you will be directed to the payment step.

Soliciting Charitable Contributions in Multiple States

Organizations fundraising in multiple states must submit the Unified Registration Statement (URS) form, along with any necessary supporting documents, to all the states where the solicitation is taking place. This eliminates the need to complete separate forms for each state, simplifying and speeding up the registration process.

The filing process is straightforward:

1. Complete the URS following the provided instructions.
2. Make a copy of the completed URS, leaving state-specific sections (like signature lines) blank.
3. Fill in the required state-specific details.
4. Sign the form (with or without notarization) according to each state’s rules.
5. Attach the necessary documents, including governance documents for initial filings.
6. Pay the required registration fee (if applicable) by check.
7. Send the completed package, including the URS, to the appropriate state agency for processing.

Why Self-Managed Registration Can Be Tricky

Nonprofit registration in Maryland comes with its own set of challenges, and the requirements can be difficult to manage without guidance. Organizations must carefully track registration and reporting deadlines while keeping their records updated with the Maryland secretary of state’s office.

Navigating the exemption process adds another layer of complexity. This involves understanding the online system, submitting all necessary documents, and waiting for approval. Incomplete submissions or missed deadlines can lead to rejection, making the process even more frustrating.

Working with a professional service provider—like Harbor Compliance—who is familiar with Maryland’s charitable regulations can take the burden off your shoulders and save valuable time.

Outsource Charitable Registration to Harbor Compliance

Harbor Compliance offers comprehensive services to help you maintain good standing with Maryland’s secretary of state and handle charitable registrations with ease. Our Charitable Registration Service assists nonprofit organizations in soliciting charity through letters, calls, emails, social media, and grant applications.

With unmatched experience handling tens of thousands of charitable registrations each year—more than any other provider—we take the burden off your shoulders, managing the entire process so you can stay focused on advancing your mission.

Following our acquisition of Labyrinth, Inc., we now manage over 60% of registrations for organizations operating in over 38 states.

Our services include assigning a dedicated registration specialist to handle all filings. For added convenience, we provide the option to grant Power of Attorney, allowing us to sign applications on your behalf. We also offer tailored managed services for professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-ventures, delivering efficient solutions for all charitable registration needs.

In addition, we assist charitable organizations with the following services completing charitable registration:

• Registered Agent Service—We act as your registered agent, ensuring prompt receipt and handling of your legal documents.
• Foreign Qualification Service—Planning to expand into a new state? We manage the entire foreign qualification process, from obtaining certificates of good standing to confirming filing approvals.
• Tax Exemption Status—We simplify the process of securing state tax exemptions for your nonprofit organization.

How To Order Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service

To order our charitable registration services, follow the below steps:

1. Go to the Charitable Registration Service page.
2. Provide the required information, including your contact details, legal company name, business structure, etc.
3. Submit the form.

Explore our free white papers to gain insights into navigating charitable solicitation compliance and mastering its complexities.

Additional Harbor Compliance Services

Besides charitable registration, we assist you in navigating a wide variety of legal obligations. Explore the table below to learn about our other range of services:

Maryland Charitable Registration FAQs

Below, we’ve covered some of the frequently asked questions about registering a charitable organization in Maryland. For additional details, visit our Information Center.

Harbor Compliance—Your Reliable Partner in Simplifying Compliance

Harbor Compliance makes the charitable registration process less complex, where you don’t need to worry about meeting deadlines or obtaining the right documentation. Just provide us with details about your nonprofit organization, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Order our Charitable Registration Service to solicit donations for your good cause without worry with our dedicated registration specialists and a user-friendly online platform.

Use our FREE Harbor Compliance Score™ to check whether your nonprofit meets other state regulatory requirements. If there are areas that need improvement, we’ll assist you with our other solutions. Contact us to get started with our other services and schedule a free demo to explore our software.

For more details on charity registration requirements in other states, see the table below:

• Jump To:
• Maryland Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
• Maryland Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

Learn about fundraising in other jurisdictions: