North Carolina Fundraising Registration

Nonprofit Fundraising Registration

North Carolina Charitable Registration Requirements

Unless exempt, a charitable organization must register with the North Carolina Secretary of State before soliciting charitable contributions in North Carolina.

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

Initial Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in North Carolina

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

North Carolina Charitable Registration Agency: North Carolina Secretary of State – Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division
North Carolina Exempts the Following from Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Less than $25,000 nationwide contributions per year
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • licensed hospitals and affiliated foundations
  • all government agencies
  • noncommercial radio or television stations
  • volunteer fire departments, REACT (Radio Emergency AssociatedCommunications Teams), rescue squads, or emergency medical services
  • Young Men’s Christian Association or Young Women’s Christian Association
  • nonprofit continuing care facilities licensed under North Carolina law
  • any tax-exempt nonprofit fire or emergency medical service organization involved in the sale of goods or services that does not ask for donations
North Carolina Charitable Registration Form: URS or North Carolina Solicitation License Application (Initial/Renewal License Application)
North Carolina Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Fundraising Disclosure Form for each fundraising consultants, solicitors, or coventurers
  • Proof of entity’s legal existence. Articles of incorporation or formation document, Certificate of Good Standing or Existence, dated no more than six months prior to date of signing of application
  • IRS determination letter
  • IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, IRS Form 990-PF, audited financial statements by an independent CPA, or Annual Financial Report Form.
  • List of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executive staff for current fiscal year (name, title, and address)
  • List of states where registered
  • List of responsible individuals (name, address, and phone number of persons charged with custody of records and funds, distribution of funds, check signers, fundraising).
North Carolina Charitable Registration Filing Fee:
  • Contributions
  • Fee
  • under $5,000
  • $0
  • $25,000 to $100,000
  • $50
  • $100,001 to $200,000
  • $100
  • over $200,000
  • $200
Registered Agent: North Carolina does not require a registered agent for charitable solicitation registration
North Carolina Charitable Registration Filing Method: Online registration at http://www.sosnc.gov/forms/csl or mail initial registration application documents to:
Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division
Department of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 29622
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626
By express delivery:
2 South Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Law Governing North Carolina Charitable Registration:
  • NCGS Chapter 131F-1–131F-33, Solicitation of Contributions
  • 18 NCAC 11, The Solicitation Licensing Program

Renewal of Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in North Carolina

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

North Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Agency: North Carolina Secretary of State – Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division
North Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Due Date: 4½ months after fiscal year end
North Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Form: URS or North Carolina Solicitation License Application (Initial/Renewal License Application)
North Carolina Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration Renewal:
  • Fundraising Disclosure Form for each fundraising consultants, solicitors, or coventurers
  • Proof of entity’s legal existence (Certificate of Good Standing or Existence, dated no more than six months prior to date of signing of application, or a Web page screenshot)
  • IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, IRS Form 990-PF, audited financial statements by an independent CPA, or Annual Financial Report Form
  • List of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executive staff for current fiscal year (name, title, and address)
  • List of states where registered
  • List of responsible individuals (name, address, and phone of persons charged with custody of records and funds, distribution of funds, check signers, fundraising).
North Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Fee:
  • Contributions
  • Fee
  • under $5,000
  • $0
  • $25,000 to $100,000
  • $50
  • $100,001 to $200,000
  • $100
  • over $200,000
  • $200
North Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Method: Online renewal at http://www.sosnc.gov/forms/csl or mail renewal registration documents to:
Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division
Department of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 29622
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626
By express delivery:
2 South Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601

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

Contact a North Carolina Charitable Registration Expert at NPSS Corporation Today!

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