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

The following is a summary of the initial charitable solicitation registration requirements in California:

California Charitable Registration Agency: California Attorney General – Registry of Charitable Trusts
California Exempts the Following from Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Nonprofit hospitals
  • Licensed health care service plans
  • Political committees
  • Cemetery corporations
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:
  • Articles of incorporation or formation document
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter
  • IRS Form 1023 ((if available)
  • List of officers and directors (names and addresses)
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:
  • California Law on the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes, Government Code §§ 12580–12599.8
  • California Regulations on the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes, Title 11, Division 1, Chapter 4, §§ 300–312.1
  • California Law On Charitable Solicitations, Business and Professions Code §§ 17510–17510.95
  • California Regulations on Nonprofit Corporations Relating to Transactions Requiring Notice to or Approval by Attorney General, Title 11, Chapter 15, §§ 999.1–999.8
  • California Regulations on Administrative Review of Refusal, Suspension, and Revocation of Registrations With the Registry of Charitable Trusts, Title 11, Division 1, Chapter 15, §§ 999.6–999.8.

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
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:
  • IRS Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 990-PF
  • Schedule B, Schedule of Contributors, from IRS Form 990 or IRS Form 990-EZ, which should be sent separately and marked “confidential.”
  • Audited financial statements by an independent CPA if revenue exceeds $2 million.
  • IRS Form 8868, if filed
  • List of professional fundraisers, fundraising counsel, and commercial coventurers (names, addresses, and phone numbers)
California Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Fee:
Sliding scale based on nonprofit’s gross income:
  • Gross Annual Revenue
  • Fee
  • Less than $25,000
  • $0
  • Between $25,000 and $100,000
  • $25
  • Between $100,001 and $250,000
  • $50
  • Between $250,001 and $1 million
  • $75
  • Between $1,000,001 and $10 million
  • $150
  • Between $10,000,001and $50 million
  • $225
  • Greater than $50 million
  • $300
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

NPSS Corporation will handle your organization’s California charitable registration for a reasonable flat fee!

Contact a California Charitable Registration Expert at NPSS Corporation Today!

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