Wisconsin Fundraising Registration

Nonprofit Fundraising Registration

Wisconsin Charitable Registration Requirements

Unless exempt, a charitable organization must register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions before soliciting charitable contributions in Wisconsin.

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

Initial Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in Wisconsin

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

Wisconsin Charitable Registration Agency: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution
Wisconsin Exempts the Following from Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Less than $25,000 nationwide contributions per year
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Membership organizations
  • Political groups and candidates
  • Veterans organizations
  • State agencies
Wisconsin Charitable Registration Form: URS or Wisconsin Charitable Organization Application and Registration Statement Form (# 296)
Wisconsin Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Wisconsin Supplement to Financial Report (Form #1952).
  • Charitable Organization Annual Report (Form #308).
  • Audited financial statements by an independent CPA if contributions are $500,000 or more; CPA review if contribution are $300,000 to $500,000, and only if Form #308 or Form #1952 is filed
  • Articles of incorporation or formation document
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter
  • Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate of Good Standing
Wisconsin Charitable Registration Filing Fee: $15. Make check payable to Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Registered Agent: Wisconsin does not require a registered agent for charitable solicitation registration
Wisconsin Charitable Registration Filing Method: File initial charitable registration application by mail to:
P.O. Box 7879
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7879
By express delivery:
201 W. Washington Avenue, Suite 300
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Law Governing Wisconsin Charitable Registration:
  • Chapter 202, Subchapter Iā€“General Provisions, Subchapter IIā€“Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes, Ā§ 202.12ā€“Charitable Organizations
  • Rule DFI-Bkg 60, Charitable Solicitations.

Renewal of Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in Wisconsin

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

Wisconsin Charitable Registration Renewal Agency: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution
Wisconsin Charitable Registration Renewal Due Date: August 1 for registration renewals; twelve months after fiscal year end for annual reports
Wisconsin Charitable Registration Renewal Form:
  • Form #1943, Affidavit in Lieu of an Annual Financial Report (if contributions are less than $25,000 or if organization operates solely in the county of the principal office is located and received less than $50,000 in contributions)
  • Form #308, Charitable Organization Annual Report (if contributions are more than $25,000 and organization is not including a copy of the IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, or IRS Form 990-PF)
  • Form #1952, Wisconsin Supplement to Financial Report (if contributions are more than $25,000 and organization is including a copy of the IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, or IRS Form 990-PF).
Wisconsin Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration Renewal:
    Required for all annual reports, unless indicated otherwise:
  • IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, or IRS Form 990-PF (only if Form #1952 is filed)
  • Audited financial statements by an independent CPA if contributions are $500,000 or more (excluding government grants and membership dues); CPA review if contribution are $300,000 to $500,000 (only if Form #308 or Form #1952 is filed)
  • List of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried employees (name, title, address, phone, and compensation); compensation can be disregarded if the IRS Form 990 or Schedule J includes this information
  • List of professional fundraisers and fundraising counsel (name, address, phone, and type of fundraiser); you must also indicate if the fundraiser has custody of contributions at any time
  • List of states where registered.
Wisconsin Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Fee: $54. Pay online
Wisconsin Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Method: File renewal online at https://www.wdfi.org/ice/berg/UserLogin.aspx?sid=5778204d21684d1ab88f7a6c96c17ce4 and annual financial report by mail to:
P.O. Box 7879
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7879
By express delivery:
201 W. Washington Avenue, Suite 300
Madison, Wisconsin 53703

NPSS Corporation will handle your organizationā€™s Wisconsin charitable registration for a reasonable flat fee!

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