At a Glance

Alabama requires most nonprofits to register for charitable solicitation before fundraising within the state. Organizations must file with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, pay a $25 fee, and submit annual renewals within 90 days of their fiscal year-end. Some exemptions apply for religious organizations, educational institutions, and groups raising less than $25,000 annually through volunteers only.

Many organizations mistakenly believe they’re exempt from registration requirements or that having a 501(c)(3) status is sufficient. However, Alabama law requires specific charity registration procedures for most organizations soliciting donations within the state. Fortunately, obtaining your nonprofit license doesn’t have to be complicated when you understand the process—with the right guidance and comprehensive support, nonprofit compliance truly becomes manageable.

Alabama’s charitable solicitation requirements protect both donors and legitimate nonprofits alike. Specifically, they help maintain transparency and accountability in the fundraising landscape. The registration process involves several key steps, from determining if your organization must register to submitting the proper documentation and paying the required fees.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire charitable solicitation registration process in Alabama, breaking down complex requirements into manageable tasks. We’ll cover everything from eligibility criteria to ongoing compliance obligations, ensuring you can focus on what matters most—your mission.

Determine If Your Organization Must Register

Before starting the fundraising process in Alabama, your first task is to determine whether your organization must register for charitable solicitation. Understanding these requirements early will save you from potential legal complications later.

Types of organizations required to register

Alabama law mandates that charitable organizations soliciting contributions within or from Alabama must register with the Attorney General’s Office (334-242-7335, ago.state.al.us). This requirement applies to:

• Benevolent organizations
• Philanthropic groups
• Patriotic organizations
• Any entity collecting funds for charitable purposes

This registration obligation extends to out-of-state nonprofits that solicit donations from Alabama residents. Additionally, organizations must notify the Attorney General within 10 days of any changes to their registration information. For organizations uncertain about their charitable solicitation registration requirements, working with experienced compliance specialists ensures accurate determination of filing obligations and prevents costly oversights.

Common exemptions under Alabama law

Not all organizations need to register. Alabama law outlines several categories of exempt organizations:

1. Educational institutions and their authorized foundations
2. Religious organizations
3. Political organizations
4. Fraternal, patriotic, benevolent, social, educational, alumni, healthcare foundation, historical, and civil rights organizations (including fraternities, sororities, and their auxiliaries)
5. Civic leagues and civic organizations soliciting contributions solely from their own membership
6. Volunteer firefighters, ambulance companies, rescue squads, and veterans organizations where fundraising is conducted by members or volunteers

These exemptions are designed to reduce administrative burden on certain types of organizations while maintaining oversight of general charitable solicitation. Nevertheless, qualifying organizations should still document their exempt status. Some organizations choose to file a formal exemption application through the charitable solicitation process to establish a clear record with regulatory authorities.

Thresholds for contribution amounts

Beyond organizational type, contribution amounts also determine registration requirements:

• Organizations not intending to receive and not actually receiving contributions exceeding $25,000 during a fiscal year are exempt, provided all fundraising is performed by unpaid volunteers
• Organizations must register within 30 days after receiving contributions exceeding $25,000
• Relief efforts for named individuals are exempt if collections don’t exceed $10,000 and all funds are given directly to the beneficiary without deductions
• Organizations receiving allocations from community chests or united funds are exempt if they don’t receive additional contributions exceeding $25,000 and use only unpaid fundraisers

The $25,000 threshold applies to gross contributions before any expenses are deducted. Consequently, it’s essential to track all donations carefully. For organizations approaching this threshold, preparing for nonprofit license requirements in advance can ease the transition and ensure seamless compliance when crossing contribution limits.

Even organizations initially exempt based on contribution amounts must register promptly if their fundraising exceeds these thresholds during the fiscal year. They must submit the registration within 30 days after crossing the $25,000 mark.

Organizations working with professional fundraisers should note that doing so may affect their exemption status regardless of contribution amounts. During fundraising planning, consider how these partnerships might trigger charity registration requirements.

Gather the Required Documents and Information

Once you’ve determined your organization needs to register for charitable solicitation in Alabama, gathering the proper documentation is your next crucial step. The Attorney General’s office requires specific information to process your charitable solicitation registration. Preparing these materials in advance will streamline your application and help avoid delays.

Organizational details and leadership info

The Alabama Attorney General’s office requires comprehensive information about your organization’s structure and leadership. Your application must include:

• Complete legal name and all other names under which your organization will solicit funds
• Business address, mailing address, and contact information
• Names, residential addresses, and telephone numbers of all officers, directors, trustees, and executive personnel
• The name and address of the person responsible for financial records if your organization doesn’t maintain an office
• Website and email addresses for official communications

These details establish your organization’s identity and accountability structure. Furthermore, you’ll need to list any Alabama offices maintained by your organization to establish your physical presence in the state.

Tax-exempt status and formation documents

Prior to submitting your charity registration, gather these essential formation documents:

• Articles of incorporation or organization
• Any agreement of association, instrument of trust, constitution, or other organizational documents
• Bylaws adopted by the applicant
• Organizational charter
• IRS determination letter confirming tax-exempt status
• Certificate of name reservation (mandatory before filing formation documents)

Your application must clearly identify your business structure (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.), state of formation, date established, and fiscal year-end date. Moreover, you’ll need to specify the IRS Code subsection under which you qualify (typically 501(c)(3)) and confirm whether contributions to your organization are tax-deductible.

Fundraising partners and fiscal year data

The final category of required information focuses on your fundraising operations:

• Names and residential addresses of any professional fundraisers and commercial co-venturers acting on your behalf
• List of other states where your organization is registered to solicit donations
• Date of your fiscal year-end (critical for determining annual report deadlines)
• Purposes for which contributions will be used

This information helps regulators understand the scope of your charitable solicitation activities. Additionally, your fiscal year-end date is particularly important as it determines your annual renewal deadline, which falls 90 days after the close of your fiscal year.

Thorough preparation of these materials will facilitate a smooth nonprofit license application process. Keep in mind that after initial registration, you must notify the Attorney General within 10 days of any changes to this information. Creating a comprehensive documentation file now will therefore simplify both your initial registration and ongoing compliance requirements.

Complete the Registration Process

Now that you’ve gathered all necessary documents, it’s time to complete the actual charitable solicitation registration process in Alabama. This straightforward procedure requires attention to detail but isn’t overly complex when approached systematically.

Filling out the Attorney General’s form

The cornerstone of Alabama’s charitable solicitation registration is the Attorney General’s Charitable Organization Registration Statement. You have two options for submitting this application:

• Online submission: The Alabama Attorney General’s Office offers an electronic filing option through their website, which many organizations find more convenient.
• Paper submission: Alternatively, you can complete the form manually.

The form requires several key pieces of information:

• Your organization’s legal name and any alternate names used for solicitation
• Business and mailing addresses
• Contact information including phone, email, and website
• List of officers, directors, trustees, and executive personnel
• Business structure and formation details
• Fiscal year-end date

Throughout the process, carefully review each section to ensure accuracy. For comprehensive guidance on charitable solicitation registration across multiple states, working with compliance specialists can provide the expertise needed to navigate state-specific requirements efficiently.

Signing and submitting the application

After completing the form, an authorized officer must sign the application. Alabama does not require notarization of the registration form, simplifying the submission process.

When submitting your application, attach all required supporting documentation:

• Articles of Incorporation
• Bylaws
• IRS Determination letter confirming tax-exempt status
• List of board members with contact information
• AND, any other document required by Alabama’s guidelines.

Paying the $25 registration fee

A one-time registration fee of $25 must accompany your initial filing. This same amount applies to subsequent annual filings. For online submissions, you can pay electronically through the portal.

Unlike some states, Alabama does not impose late fees if you miss a registration deadline. Instead, the Attorney General will mail a 15-day notice of registration cancellation if you fail to renew on time. During that period, you must either cease solicitation or complete your renewal to avoid penalties.

Where to file and how to track your submission

For online submissions, visit the Attorney General’s website and follow their electronic filing procedure. For organizations preferring postal submissions, send your completed application to:

By mail:
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection
Attn: Charitable Organization Registration
P.O. Box 300152
Montgomery, AL 36130

By express delivery:
501 Washington Ave.
Montgomery, Alabama 36104

After submission, expect a processing time of approximately 2-3 weeks. Although Alabama doesn’t offer real-time tracking, you can contact the Consumer Protection Division at (334) 242-7335 to check your application status.

For organizations managing nonprofit license requirements across multiple states, establishing a compliance calendar is essential. Following submission, keep copies of all registration materials for your records. As a best practice, consider setting reminders for your annual renewal deadline, which falls 90 days after your fiscal year-end.

For comprehensive charitable solicitation guidance across all states, professional compliance services can help ensure your organization meets all regulatory requirements while providing centralized tracking and renewal management.

Understand Ongoing Compliance Requirements

Maintaining your charitable solicitation registration in Alabama requires ongoing attention to compliance requirements beyond the initial application process. These obligations ensure your organization remains in good standing with state authorities and can focus resources on mission-critical activities rather than administrative burdens.

Annual financial reporting (Form 990 or equivalent)

All registered charitable organizations must submit annual financial reports to maintain charitable solicitation compliance. You have two options to satisfy this requirement:

• Submit a copy of your most recently filed IRS Form 990
• Provide a written financial statement covering your fiscal year that includes:
  • Gross income
  • Expenses and net income
  • Balance sheet as of fiscal year close
  • Schedule of activities performed and amounts spent

Updating changes in organizational information

According to Alabama law, your organization must notify the Attorney General within 10 days of any change to information provided in your initial registration. This includes:

• Leadership changes
• Address modifications
• Name changes
• Purpose alterations
• Fiscal year adjustments

Failing to update this information could jeopardize your charity registration status. As a best practice, designate someone in your organization to track and promptly report such changes. Organizations working with dedicated compliance specialists benefit from proactive monitoring and timely filing of all required updates.

Renewal timelines and late penalties

Your annual renewal is due within 90 days after your fiscal year ends. For example, organizations with a December 31 fiscal year-end must file by March 31. Each renewal requires a $25 fee.

Need more time? You may request a 180-day extension through the online portal.

Alabama doesn’t impose late fees for missing renewal deadlines. In place of penalties, the Attorney General will mail a 15-day notice of registration cancellation. During this period, you must either complete your renewal or cease solicitation activities to avoid further complications.

Know the Rules for Fundraisers and Solicitors

Who must register as a professional fundraiser

Professional fundraisers operating in Alabama face additional registration requirements beyond those for charitable organizations. Understanding these rules is essential to avoid penalties.

Alabama law identifies three distinct categories that require registration:

• Professional Fundraisers: Entities that plan, conduct, or manage campaigns soliciting charitable contributions
• Professional Solicitors: Individuals employed by professional fundraisers to solicit donations
• Commercial Co-venturers: Businesses conducting sales or events that benefit charitable organizations

Each category has specific fees—professional fundraisers and commercial co-venturers pay $100 annually, whereas professional solicitors pay $25.

Bond and contract requirements

All professional fundraisers and commercial co-venturers must secure a $10,000 surety bond before registration. In addition, a copy of each contract with a charitable organization must be filed within 10 days after the beginning of the contract, and fundraising may not begin until 15 days after the contract is filed with the Attorney General.

Disclosure rules during solicitation

Within 90 days after contract termination, professional fundraisers must submit a closing statement to the Attorney General detailing all gross receipts and expenditures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating Alabama’s charitable solicitation requirements might seem daunting at first, but following this step-by-step process ensures your nonprofit stays compliant while focusing on its mission. Understanding whether your organization must register based on exemption criteria and contribution thresholds serves as your essential first step.

Once you determine registration necessity, gathering proper documentation becomes straightforward with the right preparation. Your organization’s details, leadership information, tax-exempt status documents, and fundraising partnership data form the foundation of a successful application. Thorough preparation significantly streamlines the charitable solicitation registration process.

After submitting your application with the $25 fee, your responsibility continues with ongoing compliance requirements. Annual financial reporting, timely updates to organizational information, and adherence to renewal deadlines remain crucial for maintaining your nonprofit license status in Alabama. For organizations operating in multiple states, working with compliance specialists who track renewal deadlines and manage filings nationwide can eliminate administrative burden and ensure consistent compliance.

Remember, different rules apply if your organization works with professional fundraisers or solicitors. These partners must meet additional registration, bonding, and disclosure requirements to operate legally within the state.

Most importantly, maintaining proper charitable registration protects both your organization and its donors. Achieving compliance builds trust with supporters and prevents potentially costly penalties. Though the process requires attention to detail, the benefits of transparency and legal operation far outweigh the administrative effort involved—especially when you have reliable guidance and support throughout the process.

Start your registration journey today and establish a solid compliance foundation that allows your nonprofit to focus on what truly matters—fulfilling your charitable mission in Alabama and beyond.