Massachusetts 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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- Massachusetts Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Massachusetts Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Massachusetts Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Massachusetts Bingo License (Single Event)
Game Type: | Bingo |
Agency: | Massachusetts State Lottery Commission |
Fact Checked: | 1/10/18 |
Massachusetts Bingo License (Weekly)
Game Type: | Bingo |
Agency: | Massachusetts State Lottery Commission |
Fact Checked: | 1/10/18 |
Massachusetts Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Not required
Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Massachusetts.
No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities. Massachusetts statutes exempt educational, charitable, benevolent, and religious organizations from life insurance company regulation related to charitable gift annuities.
Law: | MA Gen. Law Chapter 175 § 118 |
Massachusetts Charity Registration
Automatic Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Fact Checked: | 1/16/20 |
Initial Registration
Form: | Charity Registration Form (and Form PC if filing after the initial fiscal year end date of the charity). |
Filing Method: | Mail or email. |
Agency Fee: | Initial registration fee of $100 plus:
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Turnaround: | 4-6 months |
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: | Form PC. Even exempt organizations must file. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $35-$2,000, depending on gross support and revenue. |
Due: | Due annually by 4.5 months after the close of your nonprofit's fiscal year. So if your fiscal calendar ends December 31, then the renewal is due May 15. |
Due Date Extension: | Due dates can be extended for 6 months beyond the original due date by emailing charitiesextensions@state.ma.us with an explanation of your request for extension. |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Fact Checked: | 2/4/20 |
Change of Fiscal Year
Form: | |
Notes: | Send a cover letter explaining the change in fiscal year along with the Form PC and a copy of the amended Articles of Incorporation. |
Fact Checked: | 12/7/18 |
Cancellation
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | To close out your registration, submit a letter indicating the desire to withdraw and include the date Massachusetts solicitations will end. If soliciting took place in a partial fiscal year, submit a renewal for that year. |
Fact Checked: | 7/14/20 |
Massachusetts Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Agency: | Massachusetts Attorney General - Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Form: | Form 10: Registration Statement to be filed by Commercial Co-Venturers |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Form 10: Registration Statement to be filed by Commercial Co-Venturers (Renewal) |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Contract Filing
Form: | Form 10B: Addendum to Registration Statement to be Filed by Commercial Co-venturers |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 10 days of signing and prior to the commencement of any new co-venturing activity. |
How to Apply: | The charity must be registered to solicit charitable contributions or otherwise exempt for the contract to be accepted. |
Fact Checked: | 8/1/19 |
Contract Amendment
Agency Fee: | $0 |
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. |
Fact Checked: | 8/12/20 |
Financial Reporting
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually by February 28 of the year following the reporting year. |
Original Ink: | Required |
Notarize: | Required |
Notes: | Annual financial reports need to be filed for every campaign the co-venturer engages in. |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Massachusetts Fundraising Counsel Registration
Agency: | Massachusetts Attorney General - Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $400 |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $400 |
Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | File a copy of each additional fundraising contract within 10 days of signing. |
Fact Checked: | 8/1/19 |
Massachusetts Professional Solicitor Registration
Agency: | Massachusetts Attorney General - Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Contract Filing
Form: | Form 10A: Addendum to Registration Statement to be Filed by Professional Solicitors |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 10 days of signing and prior to the commencement of any new solicitation contract. |
Fact Checked: | 8/1/19 |
Financial Reporting
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually by February 28 of the year following the reporting year. |
Notarize: | Required |
Notes: | Annual financial reports need to be filed for every charitable campaign the solicitor works on. |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Massachusetts Raffle and Casino Night Licenses
Not required
Charitable Gaming licensure is not required on the State level in Massachusetts.
Raffle and casino night permits are issued at the municipal level.
Individual Licenses
Massachusetts Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Massachusetts Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Massachusetts.
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 Massachusetts.
