Nonprofit Fundraising Registration

Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Requirements

Unless exempt, a charitable organization must register with the Department of State before soliciting charitable donations in Pennsylvania.

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

Initial Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in Pennsylvania

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

Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Agency: Pennsylvania Department of State – Bureau of Charitable Organizations
Pennsylvania Exempts the Following from Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Less than $25,000 nationwide contributions per year
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Law enforcement, firefighters, public safety organizations
  • PTAs
  • Hospitals
  • veterans organizations chartered under federal law
  • volunteer firemen
  • ambulance associations
  • rescue squad associations
  • nonprofit, tax-exempt senior citizen centers and nursing homes, and Exempt organizations must still file a report with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations
Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Form: URS or Pennsylvania Organizations Registration Statement Form (BCO-10)
Pennsylvania Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Articles of incorporation or formation document
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter
  • IRS Form 990 or Form BCO-23, Pennsylvania Public Disclosure Form, if your organization files IRS Form 990-EZ, IRS Form 990-PF, or IRS Form 990-N with the IRS
  • Audited financial statements by an independent CPA if contributions exceed $300,000; CPA review if contributions are $100,000 to $300,000
  • List of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executives (name, title, and address)
  • List of states where registered
  • List of professional fundraisers, fundraising counsel, and commercial coventurers (name, address, phone, services provided, compensation, dates of contract)
  • List of responsible individuals (name and address of persons charged with custody of records and funds, distribution of funds, check signers, fundraising)
  • List of related-party transactions (names, businesses, and addresses of related parties)
  • List of offices, chapters, branches, and affiliates in Pennsylvania (name, address, and phone).
Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Filing Fee:
  • Gross Contributions
  • Fee
  • $25,000 or less
  • $15
  • $25,001 to $100,000
  • $100
  • $100,000 to $500,000
  • $150
  • Greater than $500,000
  • $250
Registered Agent: Pennsylvania does not require a registered agent for charitable solicitation registration
Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Filing Method: Mail initial charitable registration documents to:
Bureau of Charitable Organizations
Department of State
207 North Office Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Law Governing Pennsylvania Charitable Registration:
  • Pennsylvania Statutes, Title 10, Chapter 4B, §§ 162.1–162.24, The Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act
  • The Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act, 10 Pa. Statutes, §§ 371–385.

Renewal of Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in Pennsylvania

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

Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Renewal Agency: Pennsylvania Department of State – Bureau of Charitable Organizations
Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Renewal Due Date: 4½ months after fiscal year end
Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Renewal Form: URS or Pennsylvania Organizations Registration Statement Form (BCO-10)
Pennsylvania Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration Renewal:
  • IRS Form 990; or Form BCO-23, Pennsylvania Public Disclosure Form, if IRS Form 990-EZ, IRS Form 990-PF, or IRS Form 990-N filed with the IRS
  • Audited financial statements by an independent CPA if contributions exceed $300,000; CPA review if contributions are $100,000 to $300,000.
  • List of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executives (name, title, and address)
  • List of states where registered
  • List of professional fundraisers, fundraising counsel, and commercial coventurers (name, address, phone, services provided, compensation, dates of contract)
  • List of responsible individuals (name and address of persons charged with custody of records and funds, distribution of funds, check signers, fundraising)
  • List of related-party transactions (names, businesses, and addresses of related parties)
  • List of offices, chapters, branches, and affiliates in Pennsylvania (name, address, and phone)
Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Fee:
  • Gross Contributions
  • Fee
  • $25,000 or less
  • $15
  • $25,001 to $100,000
  • $100
  • $100,000 to $500,000
  • $150
  • Greater than $500,000
  • $250
Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Method: Mail charitable registration renewal documents to:
Bureau of Charitable Organizations
Department of State
207 North Office Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

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

Contact a Pennsylvania Charitable Registration Expert at NPSS Corporation Today!

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