Ohio 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!
- Jump To:
- Ohio Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Local Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Ohio Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Ohio Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Ohio Bingo License
Initial Registration
Ohio Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Not required
Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Ohio.
Ohio statutes do not address charitable gift annuities, but the state generally considers charities that issue annuities exempt from insurance regulation.
Ohio Charitable Registration
One-Time Exemption Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: | Charitable Trust Act Exemptions:
Charitable Organizations Act Exemptions:
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Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Law: | |
Notes: |
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Fact Checked: | 1/16/20 |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 for organizations that have not yet solicited in Ohio. Fees range from $0-$200, depending on contributions, for organizations that have previously solicited in Ohio. |
Turnaround: | 1 week |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
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
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0-200, depending on contributions received from Ohio residents during the preceding fiscal year |
Due: | Renewal is due annually 4.5 months after the end of your fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then renewal is due May 15. |
Due Date Extension: | Due dates are automatically extended for 180 days beyond the original due date. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
Penalties: | There is a $200 late fee. |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Fact Checked: | 2/4/20 |
Change of Fiscal Year
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Turnaround: | 1-2 business days |
Notes: | Email the state to inform them of the change. |
Fact Checked: | 12/7/18 |
Cancellation
Notes: | An organization that no longer solicits in Ohio should fill out and return a Solicitation Withdrawal form, which the state provides upon request. Fees and/or final annual reports may be required, depending on when the organization ceased soliciting. |
Fact Checked: | 7/14/20 |
Ohio Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Ohio.
Ohio 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.
Ohio Fundraising Counsel Registration
Agency: | Ohio Attorney General |
Notes: | The fundraising counsel registration is only required of counsels that collect or at any time have custody of charitable contributions. |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Automatic Exemption
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | The registration form must be completed by a fundraising counsel only if it will collect or at any time have custody of charitable contributions from a solicitation conducted in Ohio. |
Fact Checked: | 7/8/20 |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Due: | Annually by March 31. |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Financial Reporting
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 90 days after a campaign has ended and on the anniversary of commencement for campaigns lasting more than a year. |
Notarize: | Required |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Ohio Professional Solicitor Registration
Agency: | Ohio Attorney General |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Due: | Annually by March 31. |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Contract Filing
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | File a solicitation notice prior to the start of each solicitation campaign. |
Notarize: | Required |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Financial Reporting
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 90 days after a campaign has ended and on the anniversary of commencement for campaigns lasting more than a year. |
Notarize: | Required |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Ohio Raffle License
Not required
Charitable Gaming licensure is not required on the State level in Ohio.
There is no state-level raffle license in Ohio, but the law limits which organizations can hold a raffle event.
Local Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
City of Columbus Professional Fundraiser License
Agency: | City of Columbus Department of Public Safety |
Fact Checked: | 4/12/19 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 application fee + $150 license fee. |
Fact Checked: | 4/12/19 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 application fee + $150 license fee. |
Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Fact Checked: | 4/12/19 |
Individual Licenses
Ohio Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Ohio Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Ohio.
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 Ohio.
