At a Glance

Charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Alaska must register annually with the Alaska Department of Law (907-269-6600, law.alaska.gov) before fundraising. The registration deadline is September 1st each year, requires a $40 fee, and must be completed online unless you lack reasonable internet access.

Starting fundraising without proper registration is risky—Alaska law imposes significant penalties for non-compliance. However, navigating Alaska’s charity registration requirements doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The charitable solicitation and nonprofit license processes exist to protect donors and maintain transparency in the nonprofit sector. With proper guidance and proven systems, you can complete this essential step efficiently and make nonprofit compliance straightforward.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about registering your organization in Alaska. From determining if you need to register to completing the application and maintaining compliance, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking to simplify the process, charitable solicitation registration services can manage all the paperwork and deadlines while you focus on your mission.

Step 1: Determine If Your Organization Needs to Register

Before starting your fundraising efforts in Alaska, determine whether your organization is legally required to register with the state. Understanding these requirements upfront helps you avoid potential penalties and ensures your nonprofit operates within the law.

Who must register under Alaska law

Alaska law mandates that charitable organizations and paid solicitors must register with the Department of Law before soliciting contributions of money or property within the state. This registration requirement applies to both in-state and out-of-state organizations conducting fundraising activities in Alaska.

Common exemptions and how to qualify

Fortunately, Alaska law provides several exemptions from the registration requirement:

• Religious organizations – Churches or religious organizations exempt from filing federal annual information returns with the IRS under 26 U.S.C. 6033(a)(3)(A).
• Political candidates and organizations – Candidates for national, state, or local office, plus political parties, committees or groups required to file financial information with the Alaska Public Offices Commission or the Federal Election Commission.
• Small charitable organizations – Organizations with no paid employees or board members that don’t intend to raise or receive contributions (excluding government grants) exceeding $5,000 during a fiscal year, or that don’t intend to receive contributions from more than 10 persons annually.
• Gaming permit holders – Organizations with a current gaming permit issued by the Alaska Department of Revenue.

Should your organization qualify for an exemption, keep documentation supporting your exempt status. Although exempt organizations don’t have to register, they may choose to submit a Notice of Exemption to formally notify the Department of Law.

Why registration matters for fundraising success

Completing your charitable solicitation registration goes beyond legal formality—it has significant implications for your organization’s operations and reputation.

First, the consequences of non-compliance are serious. Charitable organizations that fail to register before soliciting contributions are subject to civil penalties under the Alaska Consumer Protection Act. Paid solicitors who fail to register can be charged with a class A misdemeanor and face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation.

Second, registration provides transparency for donors. Though registration does not constitute endorsement by the state, it assures potential supporters that your organization adheres to state regulations and maintains accountability standards.

Third, staying registered keeps your fundraising activities legal and uninterrupted. For continued fundraising authorization, nonprofits must renew their registration annually with the Department of Law, and all registrations expire on September 1 each year. There are no state late fees, but you cannot solicit in Alaska unless and until your registration is approved. Soliciting without registration may result in civil penalties under the Alaska Consumer Protection Act.

Organizations considering multi-state fundraising face even greater challenges, with each state maintaining unique requirements and deadlines. Using professional registration services with dedicated specialists can significantly reduce the administrative burden, allowing you to focus on your mission rather than paperwork.

The initial registration fee in Alaska is $40, certainly less costly than the potential fines for non-compliance. Additionally, unlike some states, Alaska does not require out-of-state nonprofits to qualify to do business in the state solely for charitable registration purposes.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents and Information

Once you’ve determined that your organization needs to register in Alaska, gathering the necessary documentation is your next step. Proper preparation speeds up the registration process and helps ensure your charitable solicitation registration application gets approved without delays.

List of officers and directors

The Alaska Department of Law requires specific information about your nonprofit’s leadership as part of the registration process. You must provide:

• Names, titles, and addresses of all current officials
• Complete contact information for officers, board members, and trustees
• Information about your executive director (or equivalent position)

When entering this information, if an individual’s mailing address is the same as your organization’s address, you can simply select “Same as Mailing” on the registration form, and the system will auto-fill the address fields.

Keeping this information accurate and up-to-date is essential since all documents submitted for registration purposes are publicly available. This transparency helps maintain donor trust and demonstrates your organization’s commitment to accountability.

Paid solicitor details (if applicable)

If your organization uses paid solicitors to fundraise in Alaska, you must disclose this information on your registration form. Specifically, you need to:

• Indicate on the registration form if you used paid solicitors in the past year
• Provide the solicitor’s company name and complete contact information

According to Alaska law, a “paid solicitor” does not include a bona fide salaried officer, employee, or volunteer of a charitable organization.

While you don’t need to submit copies of paid solicitor contracts with your initial charitable organization registration, the Department of Law may request additional documentation during review.

For paid solicitors themselves, registration requirements are more extensive, including a $10,000 surety bond and copies of contracts with charitable organizations.

Financial statements and donation plans

Alaska requires financial information as part of your charitable solicitation application. You’ll need to provide:

• The start and end dates of your last complete fiscal or accounting year
• Your organization’s total revenue and expenses for that period

For total revenue, include all funds your organization received from all sources during the accounting year. Similarly, total expenses should reflect all funds paid out during that period. New organizations that haven’t completed a fiscal year can enter “0” for both revenue and expenses.

You must also indicate whether your organization:

• Filed a Form 990 with the IRS (and which type)
• Completed an audited financial statement for the last fiscal year

Fortunately, Alaska doesn’t require you to submit the actual IRS Form 990 or audited financial statements with your registration—these documents are only required if specifically requested by the Department.

For organizations operating across multiple states, managing varying charitable solicitation requirements can become overwhelming, as each state maintains different thresholds for when audited financial statements are required. Most base these thresholds on either annual contributions or total revenue reported on Form 990. Professional specialists can help navigate these complex multi-state requirements while ensuring accuracy across all jurisdictions.

The initial registration fee for charitable organizations in Alaska is $40, and organizations must renew their registration annually.

Step 3: Complete the Alaska Charitable Organization Registration

Now that you’ve gathered your documents, it’s time to complete the actual registration process. The Alaska Department of Law requires charitable organizations to register annually through their online portal, making the process more accessible through streamlined digital processes.

How to access the online registration portal

Alaska requires all charitable organizations to pay and file registration online unless the Department of Law waives this requirement due to lack of reasonable access to the internet or required equipment/software. To begin the charitable solicitation registration process:

• Visit the Alaska Department of Law website’s charitable organization section
• Select “Submit $40 Payment”
• Follow the prompts to initiate your registration
• After payment, you’ll receive an email with a link to complete your registration

First-time applicants will create a new filing, whereas organizations renewing their registration will use their Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and prior confirmation code to log in.

Filing fee and payment process

The registration fee for charitable organizations in Alaska is $40. Payment is typically made by credit card through the online system; if your organization does not have a credit card, email lawcharities@alaska.gov to arrange payment by check or money order.

Once your payment is processed (which may take a few minutes), you’ll receive an email containing a link to complete your registration. Remember that the registration deadline is September 1 each year.

Tips for accurate and complete submission

To ensure your charitable registration is processed smoothly and approved on the first submission:

• Review the filing instructions thoroughly before starting the online process
• Have all required information organized and ready before beginning the online application
• Double-check officer and director information for accuracy to avoid delays
• Remember that no document attachments are needed for the initial application
• Keep your confirmation number secure for next year’s renewal
• Submit by September 1 to avoid your registration lapsing

The Department of Law may reject incomplete or inaccurate applications. Consequently, thorough preparation is essential to avoid delays in your fundraising activities.

Using professional services to simplify the process

Many nonprofits find managing charitable solicitation requirements across multiple states time-consuming and prone to errors. Labyrinth, Inc. offers comprehensive registration services with experienced nonprofit specialists who can help by:

• Handling the entire registration process on your behalf with proven accuracy
• Ensuring complete and correct submission of all required fields the first time
• Managing renewal deadlines proactively to prevent lapses
• Providing reliable document management across all 50 states through our secure, SOC 2 Type II compliant portal

Our unique nonprofit expertise includes regulatory guidance, privacy shielding, and streamlined processes that particularly benefit organizations soliciting in multiple states. One vendor, one invoice, one portal means fewer missed notices and faster responses. Our bulk-change program often discounts or waives fees for volume switches and extends first-year service up to 12 months to avoid double-paying overlapping contracts.

Step 4: Understand Post-Registration Requirements

Completing your initial registration marks the first step in an ongoing process for nonprofits in Alaska. Staying current with post-registration requirements protects your right to fundraise legally throughout the state and maintains your organization’s good standing.

Annual renewal deadlines and fees

The Alaska Department of Law requires all registered charitable organizations to renew their registrations annually. Mark your calendar for these critical deadlines:

• Registration deadline: September 1st each year, regardless of when you initially registered
• Registration period: Opens July 1st annually for the next solicitation period
• Renewal fee: $40, the same as the initial registration fee

Your registration expires automatically on September 1st each year regardless of your initial registration date. For this reason, many organizations rely on professional charitable registration services with dedicated renewal management systems to ensure they never miss crucial deadlines.

What to include in your renewal filing

Renewing your charitable solicitation registration requires less information than your initial filing. To complete your renewal:

• Log in using your FEIN and confirmation code from the prior year
• Review auto-filled information from your previous registration and update as needed
• Provide your most recent financial information—don’t wait for updated numbers past the September 1st deadline

Unlike some states, Alaska doesn’t require you to attach additional documents like IRS Form 990 or audited financial statements unless specifically requested by the Department of Law. Nevertheless, these documents must be available upon request.

First-time renewers should note that on July 1st, you’ll receive an email reminder containing your confirmation code needed for renewal.

Avoiding penalties and late fees

While Alaska doesn’t impose late fees for registrations received after September 1st, the consequences of missing deadlines are serious:

• Your organization will not be registered to solicit in Alaska until the proper registration forms are submitted and approved
• Soliciting without registration is prohibited by law
• Prolonged unregistered solicitation may trigger additional penalties

Organizations that allow registrations to lapse face greater scrutiny than those that simply file late. To restore good standing, you must submit any missed filings plus applicable fees. Using professional tools with automated deadline tracking can help you avoid these situations entirely.

Remember that charitable registration is separate from your biennial report filed with the Alaska Division of Corporations (due by July 2nd of even or odd years depending on your incorporation date). This corporate filing carries its own $25 fee and a small late penalty if filed after the due date.

Ultimately, maintaining these separate regulatory requirements protects your nonprofit’s reputation and legal standing in Alaska.

Step 5: Stay Compliant with Ongoing State and Federal Rules

Maintaining your charitable registration beyond initial filing involves several ongoing federal and state requirements. Proper management of these obligations ensures your nonprofit can continue its mission without interruption while meeting all regulatory expectations.

Filing IRS Form 990 and state copies

The IRS requires most tax-exempt organizations to file an annual return, typically due 4½ months after your fiscal year ends. Which form you must file depends on your financial activity:

• Form 990-N (e-Postcard): Organizations with gross receipts normally ≤$50,000
• Form 990-EZ: Gross receipts <$200,000 and total assets <$500,000
• Form 990: Gross receipts ≥$200,000 or total assets ≥$500,000

Alaska doesn’t require you to submit copies of your Form 990 with your registration unless specifically requested, but having current filings helps demonstrate your organization’s ongoing tax-exempt status.

Maintaining a registered agent in Alaska

Every nonprofit must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical location in Alaska. This agent receives legal documents and official notices on your behalf.

Failure to maintain a proper registered agent may result in involuntary dissolution. We provide reliable registered agent services as part of our comprehensive approach, ensuring continuous good standing while offering privacy shielding and professional document management.

When to update your registration information

Submit updates to your registration whenever important information changes:

• Email lawcharities@alaska.gov to update registration details
• Include your organization’s name and EIN in all correspondence
• Promptly report changes to your registered agent by filing a Statement of Change ($25 fee)

Timely updates help ensure you receive important notices and maintain good standing with both the Department of Law and the Division of Corporations.

How Labyrinth’s tools can help you stay on track

Tracking multiple requirements simultaneously can overwhelm nonprofit teams already stretched thin. Our comprehensive services with experienced specialists help by:

• Monitoring filing deadlines across all jurisdictions with automated tracking systems
• Providing reliable registered agent services with privacy protection
• Managing document submissions accurately and on time
• Offering secure, centralized access to documentation through our SOC 2 Type II compliant portal
• Providing regulatory guidance specific to nonprofit operations

Using our dedicated resources allows your organization to focus on advancing your mission rather than navigating complex regulatory paperwork. Our consolidation benefits mean one vendor, one invoice, one portal—resulting in fewer missed notices and faster responses to state requirements.

Conclusion

Navigating Alaska’s charitable solicitation requirements might seem complex at first, but following these five steps with proper guidance simplifies the entire process. Determining whether your nonprofit needs to register, gathering the necessary documentation, completing the online application, understanding renewal deadlines, and maintaining ongoing requirements form the foundation of your fundraising legitimacy in Alaska.

Remember that penalties for non-compliance can severely impact your organization’s ability to operate and fundraise. The $40 registration fee certainly costs less than potential fines or the damage to your reputation from operating without proper authorization. Additionally, your donors deserve the confidence that comes from supporting a fully registered organization.

For nonprofits managing registrations across multiple states, consider partnering with experienced specialists who can handle the administrative burden while ensuring accuracy and timeliness. With proper registration and ongoing management, you can fundraise confidently throughout Alaska while focusing your energy on advancing your mission.

Frequently Asked Questions