Wisconsin Fundraising Licensing

Bingo License Application

$10 fee for each bingo occasion + $5 fee for the designated member.

Bingo License Application (Renewal)

$10 fee for each bingo occasion + $5 fee for the designated member.

Annually by the end of the 12 month licensing period. Licensing periods begin on the first of the month during which the first bingo event is held.

Bingo reports must be filed every 6 months along with the occupational tax payment.

• A person that is exempt from filing a federal annual information return under section 6033 (a) (3) (A) (i) and (iii) and (C) (i) of the Internal Revenue Code
• A candidate for national, state, or local office or a political party or other committee or group required to file financial information with the federal elections commission or a filing officer under s. 11.0102 (1)
• Charitable organizations which do not intend to raise or actually receive contributions in excess of $25,000 during a fiscal year and all of their functions are performed by volunteers and no assets or income are paid to any officer or member of the charitable organization
• A fraternal, civic, benevolent, patriotic, or social organization that solicits contributions solely from its membership
• A veterans organization incorporated under ch. 188 or chartered under federal law or the service foundation of such an organization recognized in the bylaws of the organization
• A nonprofit, postsecondary educational institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency or association approved under 20 USC 1099b, or an educational institution and its authorized charitable foundations that solicit contributions only from its students and their families, alumni, faculty, trustees, corporations, foundations, and patients
• A person soliciting contributions for the relief of a named individual if all contributions, without any deductions, are given to the named individual
• A state agency, as defined in s. 20.001 (1), or a local governmental unit, as defined in s. 605.01 (1)
• A private school, as defined in s. 118.165
• Any corporation established by an act of the United States Congress that is required by federal law to submit to Congress annual reports, fully audited by the United States Department of Defense

WI Stat § 202.12(5)

Form 296: Charitable Organization Registration Application

Mail

$15

• Note the list of 17 attachments that first-time registrants must attach to the application. This includes disclosing contracts with professional fundraisers.
• The Preseident and CFO must sign. Signatures must be notarized.
• Some Wisconsin counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

Online

$54

Annually by July 31. An organization that files an initial registration on or after June 1 does not need to renew their registration until the following calendar year. If an initial registration is filed before June 1, renewal must be filed by July 31 of the same calendar year.

There is a $25 late fee.

• There are two renewal filings for charitable organizations: charitable registration renewal and charitable organization annual report.
• This annual renewal is different than the corporate annual financial report filed with DFI.
• The renewal period closes September 30th. After this date, you must file a new initial registration.
• You may not file for an extension of the due date.
• A CPA audit is required for large nonprofits.

Annual Financial Reports may be filed on one of three forms that your firm can use based on qualifying factors.

Mail.

$0

You must file an annual financial report within 12 months after the close of your fiscal year if you received >$5,000 in contributions.

• There are two renewal filings for charitable organizations: charitable registration renewal and charitable organization annual report.

Form 1952 or Form 308

$0

1-2 business days

Submit the short year financials during the standard renewal process.