Pennsylvania Charitable Registration — Requirements and Filing Process

If you’re planning on soliciting donations in Pennsylvania, you must register your nonprofit organization with the state. Beyond compliance, registering enhances your credibility with donors, grantmakers, and corporate sponsors and showcases your organization’s accountability and professionalism.

This article will go over the Pennsylvania charitable registration requirements and break down the initial registration and annual renewal steps. We’ll also explore how Harbor Compliance’s expertise in charitable registration helps organizations manage their filings and ensures a stress-free process.

What Does Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Entail?

Under the Pennsylvania Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, organizations soliciting contributions from residents are required to register with the Department of State’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. The registration ensures transparency and accountability in the charity solicitation process, helping protect donors and maintain public trust in nonprofit organizations.

Criteria for PA Charitable Registration Exemption

Certain organizations in Pennsylvania may be exempt from charitable registration requirements if they meet specific criteria. This includes the following organizations or groups:

• Law enforcement, firefighter, or public safety groups whose benefits are exclusively for active members
• Religious institutions primarily funded by grants, membership, or service fees
• Schools or their affiliates with curricula approved by the Department of Education
• Hospitals and foundations regulated by the Department of Health or Public Welfare
• Federally chartered or volunteer organizations conducting fundraising exclusively through unpaid members
• Public nonprofit libraries receiving state or municipal funding and filing annual fiscal reports
• Senior centers and nursing homes conducting fundraising through unpaid individuals
• Congressional corporations established by federal law
• Small charities receiving $25,000 or less annually

Even if your organization is exempt from registration and located in Pennsylvania, you are required to file an Institutions of Purely Public Charity Registration Statement annually unless it qualifies for one of the following exemptions:

1. Being a bona fied religious institution and is exempt from filing an IRS 990
2. Receiving less than $25,000 annually, with program service revenue under $5,000,000

Pennsylvania Charity Registration Requirements

Charitable organizations must complete their initial registration before any paid individual begins soliciting contributions on their behalf. For organizations that rely solely on volunteers or unpaid solicitors, registration is required within 30 days of surpassing $25,000 in gross contributions.

Before proceeding with the initial registration, make sure to gather the following documents:

• A copy of the organization’s IRS 990, 990EZ, 990PF, or 990N for the previous fiscal year
• Professional fundraising contacts, list of other states where the organization is registered to solicit, BCO-23 public disclosure statement (if applicable)
• Internally prepared, compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statements for the prior fiscal year
• An IRS exemption letter, organizational documents (e.g., articles of incorporation), and bylaws (for first-time registrants only)

Additionally, based on the amount your organization solicits every year, the requirements for submitting internally prepared financial statements vary. Refer to the table below to understand the requirements clearly:

PA Charitable Registration Instructions

Once you have these documents with you, register your charitable organization by following these steps:

1. Download the BC0-10 form (you can also find it on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website).
2. Fill out details about your organization, such as the date on your submitted IRS 990, 990EZ, 990PF, or 990N, Employer Identification Number (EIN), organization’s legal name, contact information, principal addresses of the organization, and more.
3. Have your registration statement signed by two different officers of the organization, including the chief fiscal officer of the organization.
4. Attach all the required documents and mail them to the regulating department, along with the registration fee.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations also has an online filing system for initial registrations of charitable organizations.

Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Renewal

Registration renewals must be submitted by the 15th day of the 11th month after the organization’s fiscal year ends. You’ll find the renewal date written on the certificate of registration sent to you once your registration is approved.

The same BCO-10 form can be used to renew your registration as well. Alternatively, you can also file for renewal online using the Department of State website.

Challenges of DIY Charitable Registration in Pennsylvania

Self-registering as a charitable organization can be draining due to the state’s specific and detailed requirements. From understanding exemptions to preparing accurate documentation—including IRS forms, registration forms, and financial statements that meet tiered thresholds—the process requires thorough knowledge of state regulations.

Moreover, strict deadlines, such as filing within 30 days of surpassing $25,000 in contributions or before hiring solicitors, further increase the pressure as delays can lead to penalties or delayed approvals.

In addition, organizations must manage annual renewals and prepare detailed financial disclosures to maintain compliance with state laws. To make this process less overwhelming, charitable organizations can outsource the registration process to a reliable service provider, such as Harbor Compliance, and reduce their workload.

Trust Harbor Compliance for a Smooth Charitable Registration

Harbor Compliance offers unmatched expertise in charitable registration, managing tens of thousands of registrations annually—more than any other compliance provider. Our Charitable Registration Service simplifies the charitable registration process, allowing you to solicit donations through letters, phone calls, emails, social media, and grant applications.

After acquiring Labyrinth, Inc., the leading charitable registration provider in the U.S., Harbor Compliance now handles over 60% of charitable registrations for organizations operating in at least 38 states.

A dedicated registration specialist oversees all your filings, and with the option of granting Power of Attorney, we can even sign applications on your behalf. For professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-ventures, we provide tailored, managed solutions to meet your unique needs.

We offer additional services ancillary to charitable registration, including:

• Registered Agent Service—We ensure all legal communications are securely received on your behalf and promptly forwarded to you.
• Foreign Qualification Service—Expanding into a new state? We’ll handle the entire process, from securing a good standing certificate to confirming your approved filings.
• Tax Exemption Status—We help secure state tax exemptions, enabling nonprofits to save money without the administrative burden.

Ordering the Charitable Registration Service

If you’d like our team to review your state’s charitable registration requirements, here’s how to get in touch with us:

1. Visit the Charitable Registration Service page.
2. Share your details, including your contact information, legal organization name, and business structure.
3. Submit the form.

Want to dive deeper into charitable registration and compliance management? Explore our free white papers—Charitable Solicitation Compliance and Charitable Registration - Navigating the Complexities.

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

Charitable registration is just one aspect of our expertise. We offer a wide array of compliance services designed to help organizations stay fully compliant with regulatory requirements. Here’s a selection of our additional solutions:

Pennsylvania Charitable Registration FAQs

Below, we’ve addressed some frequently asked questions about registering your Pennsylvania charitable organization. If you need more information, visit our Information Center.

Enjoy Seamless Charitable Organization With Harbor Compliance

Pennsylvania’s charitable registration process can seem overwhelming, but with the right support, it can be fairly simple to navigate. Whether you’re registering your new charity in Pennsylvania or filing for renewal, Harbor Compliance is here to simplify the process and provide expert support every step of the way.

Order Harbor Compliance’s Charitable Registration Service and let us handle the registration complexities while you confidently raise funds, staying focused on your organization’s mission. Our team of experts helps you manage the entire process—from registration to renewals, ensuring you remain compliant with the state. Through our dedicated specialists, flexible services, and streamlined systems, we handle your ongoing compliance needs and state tax exemptions.

Interested in learning more? Use our FREE Harbor Compliance Score™ to check your organization’s regulatory standing. If you need assistance, contact us to get started with our other services and schedule a free demo to explore our software.

For more details on charity registration requirements in other states, see the table below:

• Jump To:
• Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
• Pennsylvania Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

Learn about fundraising in other jurisdictions: