Pennsylvania 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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- Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Pennsylvania Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Pennsylvania Charitable Gaming Licenses
Not required
Charitable Gaming licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.
Bingo licenses and small games of chance licenses are issued at the county level in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Not required
Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.
No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities. Pennsylvania certain charities from insurance regulation related to charitable gift annuities if they meet the description offered in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, have been in continuous existence for at least 3 years, and have unrestricted assets of at least $100,000 plus half of the principal value of issued annuities. The charity must also be an educational institution, hospital, senior citizen center, religious institution, or charitable organization registered with the department of state.
Law: | Pennsylvania Charitable Gift Annuity Exemption Act |
Pennsylvania Charitable Organization Registration
One-Time Exemption Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Law: | |
Notes: | If your organization is based in Pennsylvania, it may still be required to file an Institutions of Purely Public Charity Statement. |
Fact Checked: | 1/16/20 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15-250, depending on gross contributions |
Turnaround: | 2-3 weeks |
Notes: |
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Before you Apply: | All 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: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15-250, depending on gross contributions |
Due: | Due annually 10.5 months after the end of the fiscal year every year. |
Due Date Extension: | No extensions are available for charitable registration due dates. |
Penalties: | An organization failing to file a registration by the due date must pay an additional fee of $25 for each calendar month or part of a month after the date on which the registration was due to be filed. |
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
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | To close out your registration, file a non-renewal form with any required attachments. |
Fact Checked: | 7/14/20 |
Pennsylvania Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania Institution of Purely Public Charity Registration
Registration to Obtain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Fact Checked: | 1/16/19 |
Renewal to Maintain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Form: | Purely Public Charity Registration Statement (Exemption Renewal) |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually within 135 days of the organization's fiscal year end. The due date is May 15th for organizations with a fiscal year end date of December 31. |
Fact Checked: | 1/16/19 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Required Attachments: |
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Fact Checked: | 1/16/19 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $15 |
Due: | Annually within 135 days of the organization's fiscal year end. The due date is May 15th for organizations with a fiscal year end date of December 31. |
Required Attachments: |
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Fact Checked: | 1/16/19 |
Pennsylvania Professional Fundraising Counsel Registration
Agency: | Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Initial Registration
Form: | Form BCO-150: Registration Statement for Professional Fundraising Counsel |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Form BCO-150: Registration Statement for Professional Fundraising Counsel (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Due: | Annually |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | File a copy of the written contract between the charity and fundraising counsel at least 10 days prior to the start of each solicitation campaign. |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Pennsylvania Professional Solicitor Registration
Initial Registration
Form: | Form BCO-155: Registration Statement for Professional Solicitor |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Form BCO-155: Registration Statement for Professional Solicitor (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Due: | Annually |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Contract Filing
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $25 |
Due: | File a solicitation notice at least 10 days prior to the start of each solicitation campaign. |
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. |
Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Individual Licenses
Pennsylvania Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Pennsylvania Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.
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 Pennsylvania.
