Charitable Solicitations Registration in Florida

State fundraising registration requirements are our expertise—we work with thousands of clients each year to ensure a smooth registration process and compliance. Here are some of the ways we can help your nonprofit meet Florida’s fundraising registration requirements:

• Multi-state charitable solicitations registration: Our experts have experience registering in many states, meaning we can help you with charitable solicitations registration anywhere. Whether you’re fundraising in Florida, every state, or somewhere in between, we’ve got you covered!
• Client representation: Foundation Group’s professional client representation and relationships with state offices ensure a more successful outcome for our clients, making your charitable solicitations registration in Florida a breeze.
• Streamlined communications: We’ll work with your nonprofit to gather the documents we need through our easy-to-use portal. You’ll also have access to track the status of your charitable solicitations registration.

And we don’t just stop after the initial fundraising registration. Our state-specific knowledge and experience can help your nonprofit renew its charitable solicitations registration in Florida annually, as well as maintain compliance with other state and federal filings as needed! We help nonprofit leaders reduce risk and grow their organizations through our other services, such as bookkeeping, Form 990 filing, and much more!

The state of Florida requires nonprofits to submit a charitable solicitations application before fundraising. This application can be submitted online or in person, and both versions are acceptable for registration renewal, as well. There are two different applications:

The Florida Charitable Organizations and Sponsors Registration Application is required for any organization that solicits contributions in or from Florida. Along with this application, your nonprofit should also provide:

• IRS determination letter: Your nonprofit must provide proof of its tax-exemption ruling from the IRS.
• Financial report: Submit IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, or the financial statement from the application form. New nonprofits with no financial history may submit a proposed budget for the current year.
• Audited financial statements: Your nonprofit’s financial statements must be reviewed by an independent CPA if contributions are $500,000 to $1 million and audited if they exceed $1 million. Note that Foundation Group does not conduct CPA audits or reviews. You’ll need to provide us with your final report before your charitable solicitations registration in Florida can be completed.
• Professional fundraiser contracts: List information about any professional solicitors, fundraising counsel, or commercial coventurers your nonprofit employs.
• List of staff: Provide a list of officers, directors, trustees, and principal salaried executive staff including their names, titles, addresses, and phone numbers.

Organizations must also pay a filing fee corresponding to their previous year’s financial report.

This application is required for organizations with less than $25,000 in total revenue. These organizations must not use a professional fundraising consultant, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer and must be run by individuals who don’t receive compensation.

Nonprofits that qualify for the small charitable organizations’ application don’t need to submit a filing fee upon registration.

The Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act does not apply to religious organizations or educational institutions. Political groups and government agencies are also exempt from filing for charitable solicitations registration in Florida.

Nonprofits must renew their charitable solicitations registration in Florida by the anniversary of their original filing. If you miss this deadline, the late filing fee is $25 extra for each month (or part of a month) after the renewal is due.

According to Florida’s Solicitation of Contributions Act, “solicitation” is defined as any request, (direct or indirect) for money, property, financial assistance, or any other thing of value with the claim that said asset will be used for a charitable purpose or to benefit a charitable organization.