The following is a summary of the initial charitable solicitation registration requirements in California:
California Fundraising Registration
Nonprofit Fundraising Registration
California Charitable Registration Requirements
Unless exempt, a charitable organization must register with the California Attorney General within 30 days after it receives charitable contributions in California.
Out-of-state nonprofits must register to do business in California by obtaining a Certificate of Qualification. To obtain a Certificate of Qualification, mail a California Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation Form along with a $30 filing fee to the California Secretary of State, Business Entities, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, California 94244. A Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Secretary of State or similar official from your nonprofit’s state of incorporation must be attached to the Statement. Your organization must appoint an agent for service of process in California when qualifying to do business.
An out-of-state nonprofit must also apply for tax-exempt status with the California Franchise Tax Board. To obtain tax-exempt status from the California Franchise Tax Board, submit a California Submission of Exemption Request Form (FTB 3500A) with a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter to the Franchise Tax Board, Exempt Organizations Unit, MS F120, P.O. Box 1286, Rancho Cordova, California 95741. There is no filing fee for this form.
Initial Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in California
| California Charitable Registration Agency: | California Attorney General – Registry of Charitable Trusts |
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| California Exempts the Following from Charitable Solicitation Registration: |
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| California Charitable Registration Form: | Out-of-state organizations: California Initial Registration Form (CT-1) or URS In state organizations: California Initial Registration Form (CT-1) |
| California Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration: |
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| California Charitable Registration Filing Fee: | $25. Make check payable to California Department of Justice. |
| Registered Agent: | A registered agent is required to qualify to do business in California. |
| California Charitable Registration Filing Method: |
Initial California Charitable Registration is submitted by mail: Office of Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts P.O. Box 903447 Sacramento, California 94203 By express delivery: 1300 I Street Sacramento, California 95814 |
| Law Governing California Charitable Registration: |
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Renewal of Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in California
A California charitable solicitation registration must be renewed each year. The following is a summary of the charitable solicitation registration renewal requirements in California:
| California Charitable Registration Renewal Agency: | California Attorney General – Registry of Charitable Trusts |
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| California Charitable Registration Renewal Due Date: | 4½ months after fiscal year end |
| California Charitable Registration Renewal Form: | California Annual Registration Renewal Fee Report Form (RRF-1), and California Annual Financial Solicitation Report Form (CT-694), if more than 50% of annual income and more tha n $1 million in charitable contributions is from donors in California during the previous year and more than 25% of annual income was spent on non-program activities |
| California Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration Renewal: |
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| California Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Fee: |
Sliding scale based on nonprofit’s gross income:
Make check payable to California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts |
| California Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Method: |
Renewal of California Charitable Registration is submitted by mail: Office of Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts P.O. Box 903447 By express delivery: 1300 I Street Sacramento, California 95814 |