West Virginia 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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- West Virginia Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- West Virginia Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
West Virginia Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
West Virginia Charitable Bingo License
Initial Registration
West Virginia Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Initial Registration
Notes: | West Virginia charities must provide notice on the day they first enter into a charitable gift annuity agreement. Notices must identify the organization, certify that the organization is a charity and that the annuities issued are qualified charitable gift annuities, and be signed by an officer or director. |
Fact Checked: | 12/4/17 |
Registration Renewal
Not required
West Virginia Charitable Raffle License
Game Type: | Raffles |
Agency: | West Virginia State Tax Department |
Fact Checked: | 1/10/18 |
Initial Registration
Agency: | West Virginia State Tax Department |
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | Varies by license type: $500 for annual license, $50 for limited license, and $500 for state fair license. |
Fact Checked: | 1/10/18 |
West Virginia Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in West Virginia.
West Virginia 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.
West Virginia Fundraising Counsel Registration
Agency: | West Virginia Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Law: | |
Bond Requirements: | $10,000 |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Notarize: | Not required |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Form CHF: Registration Statement of Fund-Raising Counsel (Renewal) |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Due: | Annually |
Notarize: | Not required |
Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Every written contract or agreement between professional fund-raising counsels or solicitors and charitable organization must be filed with the Secretary of State within 10 days after the parties have entered into such an agreement. |
Fact Checked: | 9/11/20 |
West Virginia Professional Fundraiser Registration
Agency: | West Virginia Secretary of State - Charitable Organizations Division |
Law: | |
Bond Requirements: | $10,000 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Form CHF: Registration Statement of Professional Solicitor (Renewal) |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Due: | Annually |
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Every written contract or agreement between professional fund-raising counsels or solicitors and charitable organization must be filed with the Secretary of State within 10 days after the parties have entered into such an agreement. |
Fact Checked: | 9/11/20 |
West Virginia Registration of Charitable Organization
One-Time Exemption Registration
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Law: | |
Notes: | To claim an exemption, submit a letter that explains why the organization is eligible for exemption including supporting documentation. |
Fact Checked: | 1/16/20 |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $15 if the organization raised less than $1M and $50 if the organization raised more than $1M. |
Turnaround: | 4-6 weeks |
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: | |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $15 if the organization raised less than $1M and $50 if the organization raised more than $1M. |
Due: | Renewal is due annually by the anniverary of your initial registration. |
Due Date Extension: | Due dates can be extended for 90 days beyond the original due date by emailing your request to charities@wvsos.gov. |
Penalties: | There is a late fee of $25 for each month that passes after the due date. |
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
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | To close out your registration, submit a renewal marked "Final" and include financial statements. |
Fact Checked: | 7/14/20 |
Individual Licenses
West Virginia Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
West Virginia Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in West Virginia.
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 West Virginia.
