Massachusetts Fundraising Registration

Nonprofit Fundraising Registration

Massachusetts Charitable Registration Requirements

Unless exempt, charitable organizations must register with the Massachusetts Attorney General before soliciting charitable contributions in Massachusetts.

Out-of-state nonprofits that register under the Massachusetts charitable registration laws are not required to qualify to do business in Massachusetts. However, engaging in other business activities such as having an office or employees in Massachusetts may trigger the requirement to register to do business in Massachusetts.

Initial Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in Massachusetts

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

Massachusetts Charitable Registration Agency: Massachusetts Attorney General – Nonprofit Organizations and Public Charities Division
Massachusetts Exempts the Following from Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Less than $5,000 nationwide contributions per year
  • Less than 10 contributors
  • Religious organizations
  • Fundraising organizations
  • Certain named organizations
Massachusetts Charitable Registration Form: Massachusetts entities:
  • Massachusetts Entity, Registering After Initial FYE Date
  • Massachusetts Entity, Registering Before Initial FYE Date.
    • Out of state entities:
  • Out-of-State Charity, Registering After Initial FYE Date in Massachusetts
  • Out-of-State Charity, Registering Before Initial FYE Date in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Articles of incorporation or formation document
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter.
  • IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, or IRS Form 990-PF.
  • Audited financial statements by independent CPA if revenue exceeds $500,000; reviewed financial statements by an independent CPA if revenue is $200,000 to $500,000
  • List of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executives (name, title and address). Include only if filing the URS or Form PC:
  • List of states where registered
  • List of responsible individuals (name, title, and address) including persons charged with custody of records and funds, distribution of funds, check signers, fundraising
  • List of related-party transactions (name and address, nature, value, and procedure for authorizing the transaction)
  • List of offices, chapters, branches, and affiliates (name, address, and phone).
Massachusetts Charitable Registration Filing Fee:
  • Gross Support and Revenue
  • Fee
  • Less than $100,000
  • $35
  • $100,001 to $250,000
  • $70
  • $250,001 to $500,000
  • $125
  • $500,001 to $1 million
  • $250
  • $1,000,001 to $10 million
  • $500
  • $10,000,001 to $100 million
  • $1,000
  • $100 million+
  • $2,000
Registered Agent: Massachusetts does not require a registered agent for charitable solicitation registration
Massachusetts Charitable Registration Filing Method: Mail Massachusetts Charitable Registration Documents to:
Non-Profit Organizations and Public Charities Division
Office of Attorney General
One Ashburton Pl., Room 1413
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Law Governing Massachusetts Charitable Registration:
  • Massachusetts Gen. Law, Chapters 12 and 68
  • 940 CMR 2.00, Regulations of The Director of Public Charities.

Renewal of Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in Massachusetts

A Massachusetts charitable solicitation registration must be renewed each year. The following is a summary of the charitable solicitation registration renewal requirements in Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Charitable Registration Renewal Agency: Massachusetts Attorney General – Nonprofit Organizations and Public Charities Division
Massachusetts Charitable Registration Renewal Due Date: 4½ months after fiscal year end
Massachusetts Charitable Registration Renewal Form: Massachusetts Form PC
Massachusetts Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration Renewal:
  • IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, or IRS Form 990-PF.
  • Audited financial statements by independent CPA if revenue exceeds $500,000; reviewed financial statements by an independent CPA if revenue is $200,000 to $500,000
  • List of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executives (name, title and address). Include only if filing the URS or Form PC:
  • List of states where registered
  • List of responsible individuals (name, title, and address) including persons charged with custody of records and funds, distribution of funds, check signers, fundraising
  • List of related-party transactions (name and address, nature, value, and procedure for authorizing the transaction)
  • List of offices, chapters, branches, and affiliates (name, address, and phone).
Massachusetts Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Fee:
  • Gross Support and Revenue
  • Fee
  • Less than $100,000
  • $35
  • $100,001 to $250,000
  • $70
  • $250,001 to $500,000
  • $125
  • $500,001 to $1 million
  • $250
  • $1,000,001 to $10 million
  • $500
  • $10,000,001 to $100 million
  • $1,000
  • $100 million+
  • $2,000
Massachusetts Charitable Registration renewal Filing Method: Mail Massachusetts Charitable Registration Renewal Documents to:
Non-Profit Organizations and Public Charities Division
Office of Attorney General
One Ashburton Pl., Room 1413
Boston, Massachusetts 02108

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