At a Glance

In Arkansas, most charitable organizations must register with the Secretary of State (501-682-3409, sos.arkansas.gov) before soliciting donations within the state. The registration is free and requires completing Form CR-01 along with supporting documents like your IRS determination letter and articles of incorporation. Organizations that raise less than $50,000 annually and don’t use professional fundraisers may qualify for an exemption but must still file Form EX-01.

Failing to complete your charitable solicitation registration in Arkansas can result in enforcement action and penalties under state law.

Surprisingly, many nonprofit organizations overlook this crucial requirement when operating in Arkansas. Your charity registration isn’t just paperwork—it’s a legal obligation that demonstrates transparency and builds donor trust. Navigating the charitable solicitation process can feel overwhelming with its specific documentation requirements, deadlines, and potential exemptions.

Fortunately, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining your nonprofit license in Arkansas. From determining if you need to register to completing Form CR-01 correctly, we’ve broken down each stage into manageable steps. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, charitable registration services can help streamline this process and ensure your achieving compliance—making nonprofit management easier through personalized guidance from dedicated specialists who handle all the details.

Ready to get your Arkansas nonprofit fully registered? Let’s dive into the registration process!

Determine If Your Organization Needs to Register

Before launching your fundraising efforts in Arkansas, you must determine whether your organization needs to register under the state’s charitable solicitation laws. Understanding these requirements helps you maintain legal standing and build donor trust.

What types of organizations must register?

Arkansas law requires charitable organizations to register with the Secretary of State before soliciting contributions, using fundraising counsel, paid solicitors, professional telemarketers, or conducting sales promotions. This registration requirement applies to all nonprofits that plan to raise funds within state borders, regardless of where your organization is headquartered.

Registration is mandatory for:

• Nonprofit corporations soliciting charitable contributions
• Organizations using professional fundraisers or consultants
• Groups conducting sales promotions with commercial co-venturers
• Entities employing professional telemarketers for fundraising

Unlike many states, Arkansas does not charge a fee for charitable organization registration, making achieving compliance more accessible for nonprofits with limited budgets. However, failing to register can result in penalties and damage to your organization’s reputation. For organizations operating across multiple states, charitable registration services provide nationwide coverage with dedicated renewal management, ensuring you stay compliant in all jurisdictions without the administrative burden.

Common exemptions and who qualifies

While most charitable organizations must register, Arkansas law provides specific exemptions for certain groups. A key exemption applies to charities that do not intend to solicit and receive and do not actually receive more than $50,000 in contributions during a fiscal year and do not use professional fundraisers.

Other exempt categories include:

• Political candidates and organizations required to file with election commissions
• Governmental organizations at federal, state, or local levels
• Nonprofit hospitals licensed in Arkansas or any other state
• Persons who solicit solely for the benefit of exempt organizations

Even if your organization qualifies for an exemption, you must still submit Form EX-01 (Exempt Organization Verification) to the Secretary of State along with supporting documentation to verify your exempt status. Organizations struggling with exemption applications can benefit from professional charitable registration help that includes expert review of eligibility requirements and proper documentation preparation.

Religious and educational institution exemptions

Religious organizations receive special consideration under Arkansas charitable solicitation laws. To qualify for exemption, a religious entity must be:

1. A bona fide, duly constituted religious organization
2. Exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code
3. Structured so no part of its income benefits any individual directly

For educational institutions, the exemption criteria are similarly specific. Qualifying organizations include:

• Educational institutions approved by any state or the United States or by an accrediting body
• Parent-teacher associations connected to qualifying schools

Educational institutions should submit proof of accreditation with their exemption application. Furthermore, both religious and educational organizations must file Form EX-01 along with appropriate documentation such as IRS determination letters and articles of incorporation.

Remember that exemption from registration requirements differs from tax-exempt status. Many organizations mistakenly assume that 501(c)(3) status automatically exempts them from state charitable solicitation registration requirements. For complex cases involving charitable solicitation registration across multiple states, working with experienced specialists ensures accurate determination of exemption eligibility and prevents costly mistakes.

Gather Required Documents and Information

Once you’ve determined your organization needs to register for charitable solicitation in Arkansas, assembling the correct documentation becomes your next critical step. The Arkansas Secretary of State requires specific documents to process your registration properly. Organizing these materials beforehand will save you time and prevent delays in obtaining your nonprofit license.

IRS determination letter and tax ID

The cornerstone of your Arkansas charitable registration is your IRS determination letter, which confirms your tax-exempt status. This document must be included with your Form CR-01 (Charitable Organization Registration Form). For organizations established after January 2014, you can download copies of your determination letter through the Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool on the IRS website.

For older organizations with determination letters issued before 2014, you’ll need to:

• Submit Form 4506-B to request a copy
• Allow up to 60 days for processing
• Contact IRS Customer Service (877-829-5500) if your request exceeds this timeframe

Consequently, obtaining this document early in the process is essential. Many nonprofits find that charitable registration services can expedite this step through 1-on-1 guidance from nonprofit specialists who know exactly which documents are required and how to obtain them efficiently.

Articles of incorporation and bylaws

Your articles of incorporation must accompany your charitable registration application. This foundational document:

• Creates your legal nonprofit entity
• Secures your corporate name
• Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption

Moreover, Arkansas requires nonprofits to adopt bylaws at their organizational meetings, which establish:

• Directors’ responsibilities (minimum of 3 directors required)
• Officers’ duties (president, secretary, and treasurer positions)
• Membership constraints and governance procedures

First-time applicants often overlook the specific language required in these documents for charitable organizations. Professional Arkansas charitable solicitation help provides experienced specialists who review your foundational documents to ensure they contain all necessary elements for smooth registration processing.

Financial statements and IRS Form 990

Arkansas law requires financial transparency for registered nonprofits. You must submit:

• Form CR-03 (Annual Financial Reporting Form)
• A copy of your IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N (if required to file)

Financial reporting requirements become more rigorous as your organization grows:

• Organizations receiving between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in contributions must have financial statements reviewed by an independent CPA
• Organizations receiving over $1,000,000 must submit fully audited financial statements

Contracts with fundraisers or solicitors

Finally, if your nonprofit works with outside fundraising professionals, you must submit copies of these agreements with your registration. Specifically, you need to provide:

• Current contracts with paid solicitors, fund-raising counsel, or commercial co-venturers
• For fund-raising counsel: report changes, including new contract agreements, within 30 days of the change occurring

Each paid solicitor contract must clearly state:

• The respective obligations of both parties
• Compensation arrangements
• Requirements for delivering donor information (names, addresses, contribution amounts)

For organizations working across multiple states, charitable registration services help manage these complex contractual requirements through a centralized client portal where you can securely store and track all documentation.

Remember that documentation may be submitted via email to charities@sos.arkansas.gov. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted, so thorough preparation is critical. Additionally, promptly notify the Secretary of State if there are material changes to your registration information.

Complete the Arkansas Charitable Registration Form

After collecting the necessary documents, your next step is filing Form CR-01, the official Charitable Organization Registration Form for Arkansas. This document serves as your nonprofit license, allowing you to legally solicit donations within state borders.

How to fill out Form CR-01

Form CR-01 requires detailed organizational information that must be completed accurately. The form is divided into several key sections:

• Basic identification details including organization name, address, and contact information
• Mission statement and purpose of your organization
• Names and addresses of officers, directors, and executive personnel
• Fiscal year information and financial data overview
• Disclosure of relationships with professional fundraisers or solicitors
• Signature of an authorized organizational representative

Notably, you must report if your organization uses paid solicitors, fund-raising counsel, or commercial co-venturers. The form also requires disclosure of your organization’s tax status and incorporation details. First-time applicants often struggle with the signature section—ensure an officer or director signs the form, as unsigned applications will be rejected.

Where and how to submit the form

Submitting your charitable solicitation registration in Arkansas is straightforward:

1. Email your completed Form CR-01 and all attachments to charities@sos.arkansas.gov
2. Include “Charitable Registration” in the subject line
3. Ensure all required attachments are included in the email

Primarily, Arkansas prefers electronic submission via email rather than paper forms. Unlike many states, there is no fee to register a charitable organization in Arkansas, making achieving compliance more accessible for small nonprofits. For organizations managing charitable registration across multiple states, this can represent significant savings.

Tips for avoiding common mistakes

To ensure smooth processing of your charity registration:

Always include all required attachments—incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Common omissions include:

• Missing IRS determination letters
• Forgetting to attach Articles of Incorporation
• Omitting current fundraising contracts
• Not including Form CR-03 with financial information (if applicable)

Additionally, keep your registration information current with the Secretary of State whenever changes occur.

How professional services can help

For organizations seeking efficiency and accuracy, professional charitable solicitation services offer significant advantages. These specialists:

• Ensure complete and accurate form preparation the first time
• Handle deadline tracking for initial registrations and renewals
• Manage complex multi-state registration requirements through dedicated expertise
• Provide 1-on-1 guidance throughout the entire process

Organizations operating across multiple states particularly benefit from Arkansas charitable solicitation help, as requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions. With experienced nonprofit specialists managing your filings, you can focus on your mission while ensuring your organization remains fully compliant to fundraise confidently.

Understand Renewal and Ongoing Requirements

Securing your initial charitable solicitation registration is only the beginning of your responsibilities in Arkansas. Maintaining good standing requires diligent attention to renewal deadlines and ongoing reporting requirements.

Annual financial reporting (Form CR-03)

Arkansas law mandates that every registered charitable organization must file an Annual Financial Report (Form CR-03) with the Secretary of State. This form serves as your yearly renewal and must include:

• A completed CR-03 form
• A copy of your organization’s IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N (if required to file)
• New or updated contracts with fundraising counsel, paid solicitors, or commercial co-venturers

For larger organizations, additional financial documentation is necessary. If your nonprofit receives between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in contributions annually, your financial statements must be reviewed by an independent certified public accountant. Organizations receiving over $1,000,000 must submit fully audited financial statements.

Deadlines and extension options

Upon enactment of Act 137 in 2019, Arkansas changed its filing deadline. Currently, all charitable organizations must submit their annual reports within 180 days after the end of their fiscal year. This replaced the previous uniform August 1st deadline with organization-specific timeframes.

The Secretary of State offers flexibility through extension options. You may request an additional six months beyond your original due date by emailing charities@sos.arkansas.gov with “Annual Financial Report Extension” in the subject line. These extensions are typically granted upon showing good cause.

Organizations managing registrations across multiple states often benefit from charitable registration services that provide dedicated renewal management, tracking every due date across all jurisdictions to keep your organization in good standing automatically.

When to update contracts or documents

Throughout the year, your organization should promptly update any information submitted during registration if changes occur. This includes:

• New fundraising relationships with paid solicitors or consultants
• Changes to organizational leadership or contact information
• Updates to bylaws or articles of incorporation
• New commercial co-venturer agreements

For commercial co-venturers specifically, Form CR-04 (Notice of Sales Promotion with Coventurer) must be filed before commencing any charitable sales promotion. Maintaining current documentation helps avoid issues that could interrupt your charitable solicitation activities.

How to reinstate a lapsed registration

If your nonprofit license lapses in Arkansas, the reinstatement process varies depending on how long you’ve been non-compliant:

1. Organizations out of standing for less than 5 years must submit renewal filings and required financials for each unregistered year
2. Those non-compliant for over 5 years must submit a new initial filing along with financial statements for the past 5 years
3. Organizations that voluntarily closed need only submit a new initial registration without historical financials

Unlike some states, Arkansas does not charge additional penalties for reinstatement. Nevertheless, professional Arkansas charitable solicitation help can expedite this process through experienced specialists who ensure accurate reinstatement filings and implement systems to prevent future lapses.

Special Cases: Paid Solicitors, Gaming, and Co-Venturers

Beyond standard charity registration, Arkansas has special requirements for organizations using professional fundraisers, conducting gaming activities, or partnering with businesses for promotions.

Registering as a paid solicitor (Form PS-01)

Anyone hired to solicit contributions for a charity must register as a paid solicitor. The registration process requires:

• Submitting Form PS-01 with a $200 fee
• Securing a $10,000 surety bond (Form PS-02)
• Filing at least 15 days before beginning fundraising activities

Paid solicitors must provide a copy of every contract with charitable organizations they represent, plus Form PS-04 (Notice of Entry Into Contract). Your registration remains valid for one year and must be renewed annually. For complex registration requirements, Arkansas charitable solicitation help can ensure proper achieving compliance through comprehensive fundraising support.

Filing for charitable gaming licenses

Nonprofits conducting bingo games or raffles need proper licensing. Arkansas offers several licensing options:

• Annual license covering both bingo and raffles: $100
• Temporary bingo session license: $25
• Class B raffle permit for prizes under $5,000: $25
• Class A raffle permit for prizes over $5,000: $100

All gaming activities must comply with Arkansas charitable gaming laws, which include restrictions on frequency, prize amounts, and operational procedures. Organizations planning gaming events should consult with the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office (501-682-3409) for specific guidance on licensing requirements.

Commercial co-venturer partnerships

When your nonprofit partners with a business for promotional fundraising, both parties must register the arrangement. The commercial co-venturer must:

• File Form CR-04 (Notice of Sales Promotion with Coventurer) before the promotion begins
• Submit contracts and promotional materials for review
• Provide detailed accounting of funds raised and distributed

These partnerships can be valuable fundraising tools, but they require careful legal structuring to ensure proper donor disclosure and fund distribution. Professional charitable registration services can help navigate these complex requirements while ensuring your organization maintains good standing with Arkansas regulators.

Frequently Asked Questions