Louisiana Nonprofit Compliance

Charities that do not use professional solicitors or fundraising counsels

16 LAC Pt. III §515

• Charities that do not use professional fundraisers or fundraising counsels are automatically exempt from registration.
• If a charity uses a professional solicitor in another state but not when soliciting in Louisiana, they are still eligible for exemption in Louisiana.

• Religious Institutions that include ecclesiastical or denominational organizations, churches, or established physical places for worship in this state at which nonprofit religious services and activities are regularly conducted and carried on and shall also include those bona fide religious groups which do not maintain specific places of worship
• Religious institutions that include such separate groups or corporations which from an integral part of those institutions which are exempt from federal income tax as exempt organizations under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or of a corresponding section of any subsequently enacted Federal Revenue Act, and which are not primarily supported by funds solicited outside its own membership or congregation
• Religious institutions that include such institutions soliciting contributions for construction and maintenance of a house of worship or clergyman's residence
• Educational institutions recognized and/or approved by the State Department of Education or the appropriate state educational board, of the appropriate accrediting agency
• Any hospital organized under the laws of this state, or any voluntary health organization organized under the laws of this state and/or under federal laws

Charitable Exemption Form

Charitable Exemption Checklist

Mail or online.

$0

16 LAC Pt. III §515

Exemptions do not expire as long as the organization continues to qualify under the exemption criteria.

To apply for exemption based upon educational institution:

• Letter of Accreditation from the State Department of Education or the appropriate
  state educational board or accrediting agency;
• Articles of Incorporation;
• Bylaws;
• IRS Determination Letter;
• Copy of all contracts with current professional solicitors or fundraisers

To apply for exemption based upon religious institution:

• IRS Determination letter;
• Articles of Incorporation;
• Bylaws;
• An explanation of how the religious institution/organization meets the religious institution requirement for exemption status. The definition of a religious institution can be found at 16 LAC Pt. III §515;
• Copy of all contracts with current professional solicitors or fundraisers;

Charitable Organization Registration Form

Mail or online.

$25

4-6 weeks

• Include signatures as required in the URS form instructions
• Some Louisiana counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

Domestic Applicants:

• Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
• If filing the URS, appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Louisiana.
• 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 filing the URS, appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Louisiana.
• 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 Louisiana, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State - Commercial Division.
2. Submit an Initial Charitable Registration Form and all required attachments to the Louisiana Department of Justice - Public Protection Division - Charities.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Louisiana. If not required, skip to number 3.
2. File foreign qualification documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State - Commercial Division.
3. Submit an Initial Charitable Registration Form and all required attachments to the Louisiana Department of Justice - Public Protection Division - Charities.

• Articles of incorporation
• Bylaws
• IRS determination letter
• List of officers and directors
• Professional fundraising contracts
• List of other states where registered to solicit

Charitable Organization Registration Form (Renewal)

Mail or online.

$25

Annually by the date of initial registration.

• List of officers and directors
• Professional fundraising contracts
• List of other states where registered to solicit

Charitable Registration Renewal Form

Mail

$0

Your fiscal year can be updated during the standard renewal process. 

Mail

$0

To close out your registration, send a signed letter indicating the organization is no longer required to maintain an active registration (does not use professional solicitors) in Louisiana.