At a Glance

Florida requires most charitable organizations soliciting donations in or from the state to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) before asking for contributions. The registration process involves submitting financial documents, organizational information, and paying fees ranging from $10 to $400 based on your contribution levels. Organizations must renew annually on their registration anniversary date to maintain legal fundraising status.

Starting fundraising without proper charity registration isn’t just risky—it’s potentially costly for your organization. Florida law generally requires charitable organizations soliciting in or from Florida to register before asking for donations, unless an exemption applies. Many organizations find the charitable solicitation process overwhelming with its paperwork, deadlines, and technical requirements.

Fortunately, we’ve created this comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you navigate Florida’s registration requirements and make nonprofit compliance easy. You’ll discover exactly what documents you need, how to submit them correctly, and when to complete each step. Specifically designed for nonprofit leaders like you, this guide simplifies the Labyrinth’s charitable registration services process to save you time and help prevent mistakes.

Who Needs to Register for Charitable Solicitation in Florida

Understanding Florida’s charitable solicitation requirements is crucial for nonprofit organizations operating in the state. The Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act establishes clear guidelines on which entities must register and what activities require official authorization.

Types of organizations required to register

Most charitable organizations that solicit donations in or from Florida must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (305-330-2590, fdacs.gov). This requirement applies regardless of where your organization was formed—Florida-based or out-of-state nonprofits are equally subject to these regulations.

Organizations required to register include:

• Nonprofits soliciting contributions within Florida
• Organizations having funds solicited on their behalf by others
• Entities using professional solicitors or fundraising consultants
• Organizations participating in charitable sales promotions

Each chapter, branch, or affiliate of a parent organization must either file a separate registration statement or report required information to its parent organization, which then files a consolidated registration statement.

For organizations managing complex multi-state compliance requirements, working with experienced charitable registration services can streamline the process and ensure accurate filings across all jurisdictions.

What counts as charitable solicitation

Charitable solicitation encompasses any request for contributions made in or from Florida by any means. According to state statutes, solicitation includes requests made by mail, phone, internet, or in-person fundraising. Additionally, having others solicit funds on your behalf also triggers registration requirements.

The state’s regulations aim to protect donors through full public disclosure of:

• The identity of persons soliciting contributions
• The purposes for which contributions are requested
• How contributions are actually used

Furthermore, the law is designed to prohibit deception, fraud, and misrepresentation in solicitation activities. Given these strict requirements, many organizations find that utilizing nonprofit compliance and registration services ensures adherence to all regulations while providing peace of mind through professional oversight.

When registration becomes mandatory

Registration becomes mandatory before your organization begins soliciting contributions in Florida. You must complete the registration process prior to:

• Directly asking for donations within the state
• Having another person or entity solicit on your behalf
• Employing professional solicitors for fundraising
• Participating in charitable sales promotions

Once registered, nonprofits must renew their registration annually to continue legally soliciting donations in Florida. Maintaining proper registration is essential since FDACS has the authority to impose penalties for noncompliance.

If your IRS tax-exempt determination is still pending, you may submit your Florida registration and then provide FDACS with your IRS determination letter within 30 days of receiving it. Note: Florida not-for-profit corporations must have a board with three or more directors, but this corporate governance requirement is separate from the FDACS registration process.

Remember that although some organizations are exempt from registration requirements, small organizations seeking the statutory small-organization exemption must file the required information with FDACS before soliciting. Other statutory exemptions (for example, bona fide religious institutions, educational institutions, and government entities) are excluded from registration by law.

Step-by-Step Florida Charity Registration Process

Registering your nonprofit for charitable solicitation in Florida involves a structured process that requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Following these steps will help you meet legal requirements and avoid potential penalties.

1. Confirm key organizational details

Before applying with Florida authorities, gather:

• Your IRS determination letter confirming 501(c) status, if received (if pending, you may register and must submit the letter to FDACS within 30 days after you receive it)
• Your articles/bylaws and basic organizational information (including directors and officers). If organized as a Florida not-for-profit corporation, your board must consist of three or more directors.

2. Gather required documents

Once ready to register, compile these essential documents and information:

• Financials for the immediately preceding fiscal year via either: IRS Form 990 (and all schedules), Form 990-EZ with Schedule O, or the FDACS annual financial reporting form
• For newly organized charities with no financial history, a current-year budget
• The names, street addresses, and telephone numbers of your officers, directors, and principal salaried executives
• The names and contact details of any professional fundraisers/fundraising consultants and the specific terms of remuneration arrangements (note: the professional fundraising consultant/solicitor must file its contract with FDACS before performing services)

Organizations with limited compliance experience often benefit from professional charitable registration services to ensure complete documentation and proper form preparation.

3. Complete the FDACS application

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) registration application requires detailed information about your organization. On this form, you’ll need to:

• Provide your organization’s legal name and any alternate names
• Explain your charitable purpose and mission
• Indicate your fiscal year end date
• Answer questions about previous regulatory actions or violations
• Identify any professional fundraisers/consultants and the terms of their compensation
• Certify compliance with Florida’s conflict of interest policy requirement if you are a registered organization (charitable organizations required to register must adopt a conflict of interest policy and submit an annual certification; small organizations filing the small-charity application are not required to submit this certification)

Many nonprofits work with experienced charitable registration specialists to navigate this application accurately and avoid common filing errors.

4. Submit financial disclosures and Form 990

Florida law mandates financial transparency for registered charities. You must submit either:

• IRS Form 990 and all schedules
• Form 990-EZ with Schedule O
• FDACS-10122 Solicitation of Contributions Annual Financial Reporting Form
• A budget (for newly formed organizations only)

Organizations receiving between $500,000 and $1 million in annual contributions must have their financial statements reviewed by an independent CPA. Those receiving $1 million or more must have their statements audited.

5. Pay the appropriate registration fee

Your registration fee is based on your organization’s contribution level from the previous fiscal year:

• $10 for contributions under $5,000
• $75 for $5,000–$99,999
• $125 for $100,000–$199,999
• $200 for $200,000–$499,999
• $300 for $500,000–$999,999
• $350 for $1 million–$9,999,999
• $400 for $10 million and above

For newly formed organizations without financial history, you’ll need to submit a proposed budget.

Throughout this process, maintaining accurate timelines and complete documentation is critical. Many organizations find that working with dedicated charitable solicitation specialists helps ensure timely filing and full compliance with Florida’s regulatory requirements.

How to Renew Your Florida Charitable Registration

Maintaining your nonprofit license through annual renewals is essential once you’ve completed your initial charitable solicitation registration in Florida. Regular renewal ensures your organization can continue fundraising activities legally throughout the state.

Annual renewal timeline and deadlines

Every registered charity must complete its renewal by the anniversary date of the original approval. Florida does not align renewal with your fiscal year end, so mark this date carefully on your calendar.

If the department identifies errors or requests additional information, it will notify you. FDACS must act on initial and renewal statements within set statutory timelines.

For organizations managing multiple state compliance deadlines, working with Labyrinth’s charitable registration specialists provides dedicated renewal management and helps prevent missed deadlines across all jurisdictions.

What documents are needed for renewal

To complete your annual renewal successfully, prepare the following:

• Renewal application form (completed and signed by an authorized officer)
• Updated financial reports or IRS Form 990 (or FDACS financial reporting form)
• Information about any changes to your board, address, or fundraising activities
• Payment for the appropriate renewal fee (based on the contribution tiers listed above)

The renewal package must reflect your organization’s actual contributions and expenses from the previous year. As well as updating basic information, you’ll need to disclose any significant changes in your organizational structure or fundraising methods.

Organizations with complex financial reporting requirements can benefit from professional charitable registration services to ensure all documentation meets state requirements and renewals are filed accurately.

How to request an extension

If you need additional time to complete your financial statement, Florida allows you to request an extension that matches the time allowed by the IRS on Form 8868. To request this extension:

1. Check the appropriate box under Question 22 on the registration application
2. Submit a copy of your IRS Form 8868 extension request
3. File all other required registration documents and fees by your original expiration date (the extension applies only to the financial statement)

Organizations using the Small Charitable Organizations/Sponsors Application (FDACS-10110) cannot request extensions for financial statements.

Late fees and penalties explained

If you miss your renewal deadline, a late filing fee of $25 applies for each month or partial month your renewal is overdue. Additional administrative penalties may also apply. By law, administrative fines can be up to $5,000 per violation; however, for section 501(c)(3) organizations, the penalty may not exceed $500 per violation for failure to register or to file a small-organization exemption.

The department must examine registration and renewal statements and notify applicants of any errors or omissions within set timeframes. If FDACS requests additional information and then does not approve or deny the statement within 15 business days after receiving the requested information or corrections, the statement is considered approved by operation of law.

For organizations seeking to minimize compliance risks, working with charitable registration experts provides assurance that renewals are managed proactively and deadlines are tracked consistently to maintain good standing.

Exemptions from Florida Charitable Registration

While many nonprofits must register with Florida authorities, certain organizations qualify for exemptions from the standard charitable solicitation registration requirements. Understanding these exceptions can save your organization time and resources if you meet specific criteria.

Religious, educational, and government exemptions

Florida’s Solicitation of Contributions Act has statutory exclusions for several categories of institutions. These include bona fide religious institutions, educational institutions, and state agencies or other government entities. Political contributions solicited in accordance with Florida election laws are also outside the scope of the Act. Blood establishments, as defined in state statutes, are likewise excluded from the registration requirements that apply to most other charitable organizations.

For many organizations with complex structures, determining exemption eligibility can be challenging. In such cases, consulting with charitable registration experts helps ensure proper compliance classification and appropriate filing strategy.

Small organization exemption under $50,000

Florida law provides a small-organization exemption based on total contributions during a fiscal year. Your organization may qualify if:

• Total contributions are less than $50,000 during the fiscal year
• Fundraising activities are carried out exclusively by volunteers, members, or officers who receive no compensation, and no assets or income inure to the benefit of officers or members
• No professional fundraising consultant, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer is used

If your organization exceeds the $50,000 contribution threshold at any point during the fiscal year, you must register within 30 days of reaching that amount.

How to apply for an exemption

Organizations using the small-organization exemption must submit an annual filing to FDACS before soliciting, including basic organizational information and a financial statement or permitted IRS form. Other exempt entities (such as bona fide religious institutions, educational institutions, or government entities) are excluded by statute and are not required to register.

Even if your organization qualifies for an exemption, the burden of proving exemption status rests with your charity. Therefore, maintaining proper documentation of your exemption claim is essential for avoiding potential compliance issues in the future.

Avoiding Mistakes and Getting Help

Managing Florida’s charitable solicitation registration can be complex, with errors potentially leading to serious consequences. Many nonprofits discover this complexity only after facing penalties or compliance gaps.

Common errors in self-managed filings

Self-managed charitable registrations often contain critical mistakes including missed deadlines, incomplete financial disclosures, and misunderstood state requirements. These errors can trigger state fines, civil actions against directors, revocation of tax-exempt status, and damaged donor relationships.

Why professional management saves time and reduces risk

Charitable registration typically consumes significant staff time for organizations managing it internally. Professional services allow your team to focus on mission-critical activities rather than compliance paperwork. Expert management helps you avoid costly penalties that can impact your fundraising abilities while providing reliable, accurate filings.

How to leverage charitable registration services for compliance

Professional charitable solicitation registration services handle the entire process—from form preparation to deadline management. These specialists stay current with changing regulations and provide personalized guidance throughout the registration process, reducing your compliance risks through experienced oversight.

Benefits of working with Labyrinth’s experts

With over 35 years of experience helping nonprofits stay compliant, Labyrinth, Inc. offers comprehensive support including registration preparation, renewal management, and direct state filings. Our Nonprofit Compliance Specialists work one-on-one with organizations to ensure accurate submissions and timely renewals. Through our secure client portal, you can track filing status and access documentation while our dedicated team manages all compliance deadlines. As a trusted charity registration services partner, we file thousands of registrations annually nationwide, helping nonprofits maintain good standing so they can focus on their mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Navigating Florida’s charitable solicitation requirements might seem overwhelming at first, but following this step-by-step guide simplifies the process significantly. Your organization should prioritize compliance before soliciting donations to avoid fines and legal issues. Additionally, understanding the renewal process ensures your nonprofit maintains its fundraising abilities without interruption.

Remember that proper documentation forms the backbone of successful registration. Therefore, gathering all necessary materials—from tax exemption letters to financial disclosures—becomes essential before submission. Small organizations and certain religious or educational institutions should review their exemption eligibility; small organizations must file the required information with FDACS before soliciting.

Many nonprofits discover that self-managed filings lead to unexpected complications and penalties. Professional charitable registration services offer specialized expertise that helps prevent common errors while providing dedicated support throughout the compliance process. These specialists handle deadline management, form preparation, and state communications efficiently, allowing your team to focus on mission work.

Ultimately, charitable solicitation registration represents more than just regulatory compliance—it builds donor trust through transparency. Whether you manage registration internally or partner with experienced charitable registration experts, this guide equips you with the knowledge needed to maintain proper standing with Florida authorities while supporting your organization’s fundraising goals.