Professional Fundraising Organization Licensing

The following table summarizes registration and licensing requirements for professional fundraising companies across the United States.

Alabama

Alabama Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$100

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$25

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Alaska

Alaska Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$200

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Arizona

Arizona Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for Arizona.

For more information: Arizona Secretary of State - Business Services Division

Arkansas

Arkansas Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$200

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$10

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

California

California Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Colorado

Colorado Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$15,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$175

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$75

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Connecticut

Connecticut Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$50,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Delaware

Delaware Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for Delaware.

For more information: Delaware Department of State - Division of Corporations

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for District of Columbia.

For more information: District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Corporations Division

Florida

Florida Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$50,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$300 by mail or $307.50 online.

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$0

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Georgia

Georgia Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$250

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$50

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$15

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Hawaii

Hawaii Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$250

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Idaho

Idaho Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for Idaho.

For more information: Idaho Secretary of State

Illinois

Illinois Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
Yes
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$100 + $25 for each contract

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$0

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$25

Indiana

Indiana Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$1,000

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Iowa

Iowa Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$10

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Kansas

Kansas Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$25

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$25

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Kentucky

Kentucky Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$300 registration fee + $25 background check fee/solicitor 

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Louisiana

Louisiana Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$150

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Maine

Maine Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$20

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Maryland
Maryland Public Safety Solicitor Registration

Maryland Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes1
Company Initial Filing Fee

$100 per contract

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
-
Contract Filing Fee
-
Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Maryland
Maryland Professional Solicitor Registration

Maryland Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$350

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$1,000

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Michigan

Michigan Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$0

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$0

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Minnesota

Minnesota Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

A $20,000 surety bond is required for entities with custody of or access to contributions.

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$200

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Mississippi

Mississippi Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$250

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$0

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Missouri

Missouri Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$50

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$0

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$25

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Montana

Montana Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for Montana.

For more information: Montana Secretary of State

Nebraska

Nebraska Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for Nebraska.

For more information: Nebraska Secretary of State

Nevada

Nevada Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for Nevada.

For more information: Nevada Secretary of State - Commercial Recordings Division

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$20,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$200

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

New Jersey

New Jersey Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$20,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$250

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$15

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$30

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$10

New Mexico

New Mexico Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$0

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

New York

New York Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$800

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$80

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

North Carolina

North Carolina Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

Bond requirement ranges from $20,000-$50,000.

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$200

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

North Dakota

North Dakota Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
Yes
Bond Amount

$20,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$100

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Ohio

Ohio Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$200

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$215

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$25

Contract Filing Required?
-
Contract Filing Fee
-
Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Oregon

Oregon Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$250

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$250

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$25

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$240

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$0

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

South Carolina

South Carolina Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$15,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$50

Individual License Required?
Yes
Individual Initial Filing Fee

$50

Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

South Dakota

South Dakota Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes2
Company Initial Filing Fee

$0

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Tennessee

Tennessee Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$250

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Texas
Texas Veterans Organization Solicitor Registration

Texas Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
  • $5,000 if the organization solicits in not more than one county;
  • $10,000 if the organization solicits in more than one county but fewer than six counties; or
  • $25,000 if the organization solicits in more than five counties.
Company License Required?
Yes3
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
-
Contract Filing Fee
-
Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$50

Texas
Texas Public Safety Organization, Independent Promoter, or Public Safety Publication Solicitor Registration

Texas Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes4
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
-
Contract Filing Fee
-
Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Utah

Utah Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount
-
Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Vermont

Vermont Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$20,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$200

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Virginia

Virginia Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$20,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$500

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Washington

Washington Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
Yes
Bond Amount

$25,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$300

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$20

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

West Virginia

West Virginia Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$10,000

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$100

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
-
Financial Report Fee
-

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Charitable Registration

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite?
-
Bond Amount

$5,000 for fundraisers that do not have custody of contributions and $20,000 for fundraisers that do have custody of contributions.

Company License Required?
Yes
Company Initial Filing Fee

$50

Individual License Required?
-
Individual Initial Filing Fee
-
Contract Filing Required?
Yes
Contract Filing Fee

$0

Financial Report Required?
Yes
Financial Report Fee

$0

Wyoming

Wyoming Charitable Registration

Not required

There is no professional fundraiser registration requirement for Wyoming.

For more information: Wyoming Secretary of State - Business Division

Footnotes

  1. In addition to a standard professional fundraiser license, Maryland also issues a license specifically for entities that solicit on behalf of public safety organizations.

  2. Only professional fundraisers that solicit by telephone are required to register.

  3. Only professional fundraisers that solicit on behalf of veterans or public safety organizations are required to obtain a license in Texas.

  4. Only professional fundraisers that solicit on behalf of veterans or public safety organizations are required to obtain a license in Texas.