New Jersey Charity Registration Process Explained

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IntroductionCharity Registration NumberOnline FundraisingUnified Registration Statement (URS)Charitable DisclosuresCharitable Registration Audit RequirementsFundraising With ProfessionalsProfessional Fundraiser DisclosuresCommercial Co-Ventures and Cause Marketing Charitable Registered Agent Closing Licenses vs. Letting Them Lapse
Fundraising Compliance Info by State

Starting a charitable organization in New Jersey requires state registration. The process promotes transparency in fundraising, ensures donors have access to financial information, and helps prevent fraud.

This article outlines the process and guidelines for filing for an NJ charity registration, including the initial registration and annual renewal. We’ll also discuss how Harbor Compliance assists nonprofit organizations by managing their charitable registration and compliance needs and providing a hassle-free filing experience.

What Is New Jersey Charitable Solicitation Registration?

If your charitable organization solicits donations in New Jersey, you must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs Charities Registration. This obligation falls under the Charitable Registration & Investigation Act (CRI Act), which outlines the essential guidelines for compliance.

The act oversees fundraising activities for most charitable organizations, such as professional fundraisers, fundraising counsels, commercial co-ventures, and solicitors operating in the state.

NJ Charitable Registration Requirements

Under the CRI Act, charitable organizations that receive $10,000 or less in annual gross contributions have the option to maintain or forgo registration. Charities at this income level that choose to remain registered must pay a $30 registration fee and file an annual renewal. However, they will no longer be eligible for extensions to file. In case the organization does not want to maintain registration, a One-Time Exemption Registration filing ($0) must be submitted via email or the portal, along with a letter explaining their eligibility for exemption.

If you’re eligible or willing to maintain registration, you must submit a completed registration statement signed by two officers, along with the registration fee. The deadline to file for registration is within 30 days of charity formation, even before the end of the fiscal year. Delaying registration until the fiscal year ends is not allowed under the statute.

The documents required with the registration form include:

  • IRS Form 990 and Certified Audit (based on monetary donations)
  • Amended Formation Documents and/or Bylaws
  • IRS Form 2023 or determination letter
  • Articles of incorporation of your nonprofit organization

If you cannot produce any of the required documents, you need to include a cover letter explaining the reason in your registration form.

Requirements for Charitable Sales Promotions

Charitable organizations permitting charitable sales promotions must also comply with specific requirements as set forth in the CRI Act. One key requirement is submitting a written contract between the charitable organization and the commercial co-venturer. This contract must be filed with the Division of Consumer Affairs Charities Registration Section at least 10 days before the promotion begins.

The charitable sales promotion contract should include, but is not limited to, the following essential details:

  • A description of the charitable sales promotion, including its start and end dates.
  • The name and address of both the charitable organization and the commercial co-venturer.
  • The dollar amount or percentage of sales per unit of goods or services purchased that will benefit the charitable organization. If this cannot be determined in advance, you must provide an estimated amount, which should be based on reasonable, relevant facts known to both parties.
  • A requirement for the commercial co-venturer to report the total income generated by the promotion.
  • A clear statement that both parties are subject to the applicable state laws, including the Charitable Sales Promotions Act.

Additionally, you must file a promotion report within 40 days after the end of the promotion. For contracts lasting longer than 12 months, an interim report is required at the end of each fiscal year. You can file the final report within 40 days of the contract's expiration or the last fiscal year of the promotion.

To comply, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of both the commercial co-venturer and the charity must sign and date the promotion report. You should mail Form CCO-500, along with a $10 filing fee, to the appropriate division.

New Jersey Charity Registration Process

If you’re registering your nonprofit organization for the first time, you must submit either of the following registration forms:

  1. CRI-200 Short Form—For organizations that raised less than $25,000 in gross contributions during the last fiscal year or are bona fide veterans’ organizations
  2. CRI-150I Long Form—For organizations that raised more than $25,000 during their last fiscal year or those that contracted with a professional fundraiser are required to submit Form CRI-150I and CRI-150IC (with addendum)

Note that these forms are provided during the online application, so there is no need to complete them before starting the process.

The filing is done online, and you must complete the registration and pay the fee using a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express). Refer to the table below to learn about the filing fee based on different annual contributions:

Annual Charitable Contribution Registration Fee
Less than $10,000 $30
Between $10,001 and $25,000 $30
Between $25,001 and $100,000 $60
Between $100,001 and $500,000 $150
More than $500,000 $250
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New Jersey Charitable Registration Renewal

To stay compliant with state laws, an annual renewal of registration is mandatory and must be completed within six months after the end of the organization’s fiscal year. For charities with gross contributions over $10,000, it’s possible to request an extension to file.

Follow these steps to renew your charitable registration:

  1. Determine your gross contributions for the fiscal year being reported.
  2. If your organization raised $25,000 or less in gross contributions or if it is a bona fide veterans’ organization, complete Form CRI-200 and submit it along with a copy of the IRS Form 990 or 990EZ.
  3. If your organization raised more than $25,000 in gross contributions or contracted with a professional fundraiser during the fiscal year, complete Form CRI-300R, along with a copy of IRS Form 990 or 990EZ.
  4. Once the appropriate form is completed and signed, submit it for renewal through the NJ Charities Portal.

If you need an extension to file for renewal, you must submit the extension request by the original renewal due date. Only organizations eligible for an extension will be able to see the extension request link within the NJ Charities Portal.

Additionally, IRS extensions for filing Form 990 do not extend the deadline for submitting your charity’s registration renewal. A separate extension request must be filed with the New Jersey Charities Registration Section if you need an extension for both filings.

Potential Complications With Self-Managed Registrations

Self-managing the registration process can be complex. Nonprofits must first determine where their fundraising activities intersect with state registration requirements to make sure they meet the state’s specific regulations. This involves completing the correct forms for every state where fundraising occurs, which can vary in format and content, and preparing payments for associated filing fees.

Additionally, the state requires nonprofits to manage ongoing filings and renewals throughout the year. This includes tracking deadlines for each state, submitting renewals on time, and keeping up with changes in regulations.

Staying on top of these specific requirements can be especially challenging when soliciting donations in multiple states. This is where a reliable service provider like Harbor Compliance can simplify the registration process and manage filing on your behalf.

Take the Stress out of Charity Registration With Harbor Compliance

Managing charitable registration can be a daunting task, but with the right support, it doesn’t have to be. Harbor Compliance brings unparalleled expertise, managing tens of thousands of registrations annually—more than any other compliance provider—to help organizations seamlessly navigate the complexities of fundraising compliance.

Our Charitable Registration Service helps you confidently solicit donations through letters, phone calls, emails, social media, and grant applications without being bogged down by compliance complexities.

Since acquiring Labyrinth, Inc., the largest charitable registration service provider in the U.S., Harbor Compliance now supports over 60% of charitable registrations for organizations operating in at least 38 states.

A dedicated registration specialist handles all your filings, and you have the option of having a Power of Attorney sign applications on your behalf. We also offer tailored managed services for professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-ventures.

We also support organizations with the following services that are ancillary to charity registration:

  • Registered Agent Service—We’ll act as your registered agent, ensuring all your legal communication is promptly received and securely managed.
  • Foreign Qualification Service—If you’re planning on expanding your business into a new state, we can handle the entire foreign qualification process for you, from securing a good standing certificate to sending confirmation after filings are approved.
  • Tax Exemption Status—We help you secure state tax exemptions so your nonprofit organization can benefit from savings without hassle.

How To Order Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service

If you need to speak with our team and have them review your state’s charitable registration requirements, follow these steps:

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

Curious to learn more about charitable registration and compliance management? Download our free white papers:

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

Charitable registration is one of our many specialties. We provide a broad range of services to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements. Below are some of our most popular solutions:

Category Services
Licensing support General business licenses Industry-specific licenses (construction, engineering, architecture, etc.)
Entity lifecycle management Name reservation DBA registration Amendments Initial and annual reports
Document filing and retrieval Drop-off filing Articles of reinstatement Certificate of good standing Certificate of Authority Certified copies
Nonprofit formation Incorporation 501(c) tax exemption
Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting BOI reporting Records Manager
Tax services Payroll tax registration Sales and use tax registration Employer Identification Number (EIN)
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NJ Charity Registration FAQs

This section answers frequently asked questions about New Jersey charitable registration. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for, visit Harbor Compliance’s Information Center.

The annual renewal registrations for New Jersey charitable organizations are due six months after the end of the organization’s fiscal year.

Registration renewals submitted after the deadline must include a $25 late fee. This fee applies to all filers, regardless of the form used or the amount of gross contributions reported.

If your charitable organization conducts fundraising in multiple states, you must register in each state that requires it. To simplify this process, many states, including New Jersey, accept the Unified Registration Statement (URS) as a standardized registration form.

Harbor Compliance—The Smart Way To Navigate Charitable Registration

Nonprofit charitable registration can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate independently. From understanding the right forms to meeting strict deadlines, the process demands significant staff time and financial resources. The added challenges of maintaining ongoing filings, handling fees, and ensuring adherence to ever-changing laws only further complicate the process.

Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service allows you to solicit donations in your state so you can focus on your mission without worrying about legal complications. Our dedicated specialists, flexible services, and efficient systems are designed to simplify everything from initial registration to ongoing renewals and state tax exemptions.

Ready to get started with our services? Use our FREE Harbor Compliance Score™ to check whether your organization meets other state regulations, and we’ll assist with the rest. Contact us to get started with our solutions and schedule a free demo to explore our proprietary Software Suite.

Additionally, for more information on the charity registration requirements in other states, refer to the table below:

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Company Licenses

New Jersey Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses

New Jersey Bingo, Raffle, and Casino Nights Licenses

Game Type:

Bingo, raffles, and casino nights.

Agency:New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission
Age Restrictions:

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Initial Registration

Agency:New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission
Form:

Initial Affidavit and Application for Biennial Registration

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

Charities must register as a qualified organization with the commission before applying for local level charitable gaming permits.

Registration Renewal

Agency:New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission
Form:

Initial Affidavit and Application for Biennial Registration (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially

New Jersey Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

Agency:New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance - Division of Insurance
Law:

NJ Rev. Stat. § 17B:17-13.1

Audit Requirements:

Audited financial statements are required with the annual permit renewal.

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Special Permit

Agency Fee:

$100

Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:

Proof of entity registration and charitable registration are required with the application. Charities must maintain a segregated reserve fund that covers the current value of all outstanding annuity payments plus the greater of $100,000 or 10% of the reserve fund.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Annual Statement

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 120 days of the end of the calendar year. Permission may be granted for the filing to be made on a fiscal year basis.

Notes:

An annual statement should be filed even if the organization did not issue annuities.

New Jersey Charitable Organization Registration

Agency:New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Charities Registration Section
Law:

New Jersey Statutes Ann. § 45:17A-18 et seq.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • Any religious corporation, trust, foundation, association or organization incorporated under the provisions of Title 15 or 16 of the Revised Statutes or Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes or established for religious purposes
  • Any agency or organization incorporated or established for charitable purposes and engaged in effectuating one or more charitable purposes, which is affiliated with, operated by or supervised or controlled by a corporation, trust, foundation, association, or organization incorporated or established for religious purposes, or any other religious agency or organization
  • Any educational institution, the curricula of which in whole or in part are registered or approved by the Department of Education or the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, either directly or by acceptance of accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by these agencies
  • An educational institution confining its solicitation to its student body, alumni, faculty and trustees, and their families
  • A library registered by the Department of Education, provided that the annual financial report of that library shall be filed with the Department of Education, where it shall be open for public inspection
  • A local unit registered by a parent organization in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:48-6
  • A charitable organization engaged in charitable fund raising that did not receive gross contributions in excess of $10,000 during its most recent fiscal year, if all of its functions, including fund raising activities, are carried on by persons who are not compensated for soliciting contributions
Filing Method:

Email to charitiesportalsupport@dca.njoag.gov or online

Law:

NJ Admin Code 13:48-3.3

Notes:

To claim an exemption, submit a letter explaining why your organization is eligible for exemption.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Depends on gross contributions for the preceding year:

 

  • $30 for $25,000 or less in contributions
  • $60 for more than $25,000 but less than $100,000 in contributions
  • $150 for more than $100,000 but less than $500,000 in contributions
  • $250 for more than $500,000 in contributions
Turnaround:

6-8 months

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Notes:
  • The CFO and another authorized officer must sign. Signatured need not be notarized.
  • Some New Jersey counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • If you will foreign qualify in New Jersey, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 30 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. Form an entity by completing the online form on the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website.
  2. Create a My New Jersey account online and complete the charity registration application through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Charities Registration Section.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in New Jersey. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. Foreign qualify by completing the online form on the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website.
  3. Create a My New Jersey account online and complete the charity registration application through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Charities Registration Section.
Required Attachments:
  • IRS Form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Either IRS determination letter or IRS form 1023
  • Bylaws
  • List of officers and directors

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Depends on gross contributions for the preceding year:

 

  • $30 for $25,000 or less in contributions
  • $60 for more than $25,000 but less than $100,000 in contributions
  • $150 for more than $100,000 but less than $500,000 in contributions
  • $250 for more than $500,000 in contributions
Due:
  • Annually within 6 months after the close of your fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, renewal is due by June 30.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Due Date Extension:

Due dates can be extended for 6 months beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal along with the expected renewal fee.

Charities whose gross contributions are less than $10,000 cannot be granted an extension and should file by the original due date. If a charity of this type is late in filing, a $25 late fee should be included with the registration fee of $30.

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Penalties:
  • There is a one-time $25 late fee for renewals filed after the due date.
  • Charities who do not submit their renewal by the due date or approved extension will have their registration placed in a delinquent status, requiring additional steps to get back in good standing. 
Notes:
  • Note the list of attachments required. Large organizations may need to provide audited financial statements.
  • Charities who wish to renew a delinquent registration should submit a renewal filing and fee for each year out of compliance, up to the 3 most recent fiscal years. If the charity has been out of compliance for more than 3 years they must pay the missing renewal fees for each additional year but are not required to submit financials for those years. Charities must also pay the one-time $25 late fee.
Required Attachments:
  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials, if applicable
  • List of officers and directors
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws
  • Certificate of Merger (must include state's stamp or have the seal affixed), if applicable

Contract Filing

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$30

Due:

Every charitable organization which permits a charitable sales promotion to be conducted on its behalf, shall obtain a written contract from the commercial co-venturer and shall file a copy of the agreement with the Division of Consumer Affairs Charities Registration Section at least 10 days prior to the initiation of that charitable sales promotion.

Notes:

The charitable sales promotion contract must include, but is not limited to, the following information:

  1. A description of the charitable sales promotion, solicitation, or venture undertaken, and dates to be commenced and terminated;
  2. The name and address of the charitable organization and of the commercial co-venturer;
  3. The dollar amount or percent per unit of goods or services purchased or used that will benefit the charitable organization or purpose. If the actual dollar amount or percent cannot reasonably be determined prior to the final date of the charitable sales promotion, the commercial co-venturer shall disclose an estimated dollar amount or percent. Any such estimate shall be reasonable and shall be based upon all of the relevant facts known to the commercial co-venturer and the charitable organization regarding the charitable sales promotion;
  4. A requirement that the commercial co-venturer provide the charitable organization with the gross amount of income received by the commercial co-venturer attributable to the charitable sales promotion, solicitation or venture undertaken; and
  5. A provision clearly and conspicuously stating that the parties are subject to the Act and the rules of this chapter.
How to Apply:

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

Financial Reporting

Form:

Form CCO-500

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$10

Due:

Charities must file a promotion report within 40 days of the expiration of every commercial co-venture charitable sales promotion. For campaign contracts lasting more than 12 months, a charitable organization shall file an interim report within 40 days of the end of each of the charitable organization’s fiscal years. The charitable organization may file the final report within 40 days after the expiration of the contract or service agreement or at the end of the last fiscal year of the contract.

Reinstatement

Not required



Formal Reinstatement is not required. Charities who wish to renew a delinquent registration should submit renewal filings and fees for each year out of compliance, up to the 3 most recent fiscal years. If out of compliance for more than 3 years, charities must pay the missing renewal fees for each additional year but are not required to submit financials for those years.

Change of Fiscal Year

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

Use the DCA portal and start a renewal registration. You can enter the new fiscal year end month and renew for that year.

Cancelation

Filing Method:

Email to charitiesportalsupport@dca.njoag.gov or online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

To withdraw a registration you must submit a withdrawal request via email or the online portal. The withdraw request must detail the reason for withdrawal and must be signed by 2 officers of the organization. All annual reports bust be up to date reflecting the last day solicitations took place in New Jersey.

Commercial co-venturer means any person, including, but not limited to, any assignee, subcontractor, independent contractor or successor in interest, who, for profit or other consideration is regularly and primarily engaged in trade or commerce other than in connection with the raising of funds or any other thing of value for a charitable organization, and who advertises that the purchase or use of his goods, services, entertainment or any other thing of value will benefit a charitable organization or charitable purpose.

New Jersey Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

Not required



Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in New Jersey.

New Jersey 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.

More information: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Charities Registration Section

Contract Filing

Form:

There is no form, simply submit a cover letter and a copy of the charitable sales agreement with the required fee.

Agency Fee:

$30

Due:

A copy of the written agreement between the charity and commercial coventurer must be filed with the Division of Consumer Affairs Charities Registration Section at least 10 days prior to the initiation of a charitable sales promotion.

Notes:

The charitable sales promotion contract must include, but is not limited to, the following information:

  1. A description of the charitable sales promotion, solicitation, or venture undertaken, and dates to be commenced and terminated;
  2. The name and address of the charitable organization and of the commercial co-venturer;
  3. The dollar amount or percent per unit of goods or services purchased or used that will benefit the charitable organization or purpose. If the actual dollar amount or percent cannot reasonably be determined prior to the final date of the charitable sales promotion, the commercial co-venturer shall disclose an estimated dollar amount or percent. Any such estimate shall be reasonable and shall be based upon all of the relevant facts known to the commercial co-venturer and the charitable organization regarding the charitable sales promotion;
  4. A requirement that the commercial co-venturer provide the charitable organization with the gross amount of income received by the commercial co-venturer attributable to the charitable sales promotion, solicitation or venture undertaken; and
  5. A provision clearly and conspicuously stating that the parties are subject to the Act and the rules of this chapter.

Contract Amendment

Agency Fee:

$30

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.

Financial Reporting

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$10

Due:

Charities must file a promotion report within 40 days of the expiration of every commercial co-venture charitable sales promotion. For campaign contracts lasting more than 12 months, a charitable organization shall file an interim report within 40 days of the end of each of the charitable organization’s fiscal years. The charitable organization may file the final report within 40 days after the expiration of the contract or service agreement or at the end of the last fiscal year of the contract.

Fund raising counsel means any person, including, but not limited to, any assignee, subcontractor, independent contractor or successor in interest, who is retained by a charitable organization for a fixed fee or rate to plan, manage, advise, consult or prepare material for or with respect to the solicitation in this State of contributions for a charitable organization, but who does not solicit contributions or employ, procure or engage any compensated person to solicit contributions.  A bona fide salaried officer, employee, or volunteer of a charitable organization shall not be deemed to be a fund raising counsel.  No attorney, accountant or banker who renders professional services to a charitable organization or advises a person to make a charitable contribution during the course of rendering professional services to that person shall be deemed, as a result of the professional service or advice rendered, to be a fund raising counsel.

New Jersey Fund-Raising Counsel Registration

Agency:New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Charities Registration Section
Law:

45 NJ Stat. § 17A-27

Bond Requirements:

$20,000

Notes:

The bond is only required if the fundraising counsel will have custody or access to the charitable organization's money.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Contract Filing

Form:

Form CRI-500A: Contract Filing Form

Agency Fee:

$30

Due:

File a contract filing form at least 10 days prior to the start of each solicitation campaign.

Financial Reporting

Form:

Form SR1: Campaign Report of Charitable Solicitation by an Independent Paid Fund Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel (With custody of contributions) or Form SR2: Campaign Report of Charitable Solicitation by an Independent Paid Fund Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel (Without custody of contributions)

Agency Fee:

$10

Due:

Within 40 days after a campaign has ended and within 40 days after the end of each of the charitable organization's fiscal years for multi-year contracts.

Independent paid fund raiser means any person, including, but not limited to, any assignee, subcontractor, independent contractor or successor in interest, who for compensation performs for or on behalf of a charitable organization any service in connection with which contributions are or will be solicited in this State by that compensated person or by any compensated person he employs, procures, or engages, directly or indirectly to solicit contributions. A bona fide salaried officer, employee, or volunteer of a charitable organization shall not be deemed to be an independent paid fund raiser. No attorney, accountant or banker who advises a person to make a charitable contribution during the course of rendering professional services to that person shall be deemed, as a result of that advice, to be an independent paid fund raiser.

New Jersey Paid Fund-Raiser Registration

Agency:New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Charities Registration Section
Law:

45 NJ Stat. § 17A-27

Bond Requirements:

$20,000

Initial Registration

Form:

Form CRI-500P: Independent Paid Fund Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel Initial Registration Statement

Agency Fee:

$250

Before you Apply:
  • The application must be be signed and sworn to by the principal officer of the organization
  • The fundraising firm is required to individually register all employees prior to the person acting as a solicitor for their organization.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form CRI-500PR: Independent Paid Fund Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel Renewal Registration Statement

Agency Fee:

$250

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Contract Filing

Form:

Form CRI-500A: Contract Filing Form

Agency Fee:

$30

Due:

File a contract filing form at least 10 days prior to the start of each solicitation campaign.

Financial Reporting

Form:

Form SR1: Campaign Report of Charitable Solicitation by an Independent Paid Fund Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel (With custody of contributions) or Form SR2: Campaign Report of Charitable Solicitation by an Independent Paid Fund Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel (Without custody of contributions)

Agency Fee:

$10

Due:

Within 40 days after a campaign has ended and within 40 days after the end of each of the charitable organization's fiscal years for multi-year contracts.

Individual Licenses

New Jersey Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

New Jersey Solicitor of an Independent Paid Fund Raiser Registration

Agency:New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Charities Registration Section

Initial Registration

Form:

Form CRI-500S: Solicitor of an Independent Paid Fund Raiser Initial Registration and Renewal Registration

Agency Fee:

$15

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form CRI-500S: Solicitor of an Independent Paid Fund Raiser Initial Registration and Renewal Registration (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$15

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
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Charitable Solicitation Compliance
An explanation of increasingly complex state charity requirements.

Revised February 10, 2025. Complete data last reviewed June 13, 2021.
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