At a Glance

In Louisiana, only charitable organizations that use professional solicitors must register with the Louisiana Attorney General before fundraising. The registration costs $25 and requires annual renewal by the anniversary date. Organizations that raise funds exclusively through volunteers are automatically exempt from registration requirements.

Starting your fundraising without proper registration could result in penalties, fines, and damage to your organization’s reputation. The good news? Completing your charity registration in Louisiana doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right guidance from experienced compliance specialists, you can navigate the charitable solicitation requirements and secure your nonprofit license without unnecessary stress or confusion.

Louisiana has specific rules that every nonprofit must follow when raising funds within state boundaries. Fortunately, the process is more straightforward than in many other states, requiring just a $25 filing fee and annual renewal to maintain compliance. Whether you’re launching a new organization or bringing an established nonprofit into compliance, understanding these requirements is essential for your fundraising success.

This guide will walk you through exactly what you need to know about charitable solicitation registration in Louisiana, from determining if your organization needs to register to completing each step of the application process.

Who Needs to Register for Charitable Solicitation in Louisiana

Understanding Louisiana’s charitable solicitation requirements starts with knowing who actually needs to register. Louisiana follows a unique approach compared to many other states regarding nonprofit registration obligations.

What qualifies as charitable solicitation

Charitable solicitation encompasses various activities aimed at requesting money, property, or other items of value for charitable purposes. This includes:

• Direct or indirect oral/written requests for donations
• Media announcements about charitable campaigns
• Distribution of materials seeking public support
• Sales of merchandise, tickets, or subscriptions where proceeds benefit a charitable cause

Most states follow a standardized definition based on the Model Act Concerning the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes, though Louisiana applies this with important modifications.

The solicitation laws cover not just Louisiana-based organizations but also out-of-state nonprofits engaging in fundraising activities within Louisiana borders. Understanding what constitutes charitable solicitation helps determine your registration obligations under state law.

When registration is required

Louisiana stands apart from most states with its distinctive registration requirement: only charitable organizations that use professional solicitors must register with the Louisiana Attorney General before soliciting contributions. This represents a significant departure from practices in other states.

Specifically, any charitable organization employing paid solicitors must complete the registration process prior to beginning fundraising activities in the state. Professional solicitors engaged by a charity must also register with the Louisiana Department of Justice before conducting solicitation activities.

The following organizations are exempt from registration requirements, even if they use professional solicitors:

• Religious institutions
• Educational institutions approved by the Louisiana Department of Education
• Louisiana hospitals and voluntary health organizations

Additionally, organizations that do not use paid solicitors are automatically exempt from charity registration requirements in Louisiana. This exemption remains valid even if your organization uses professional solicitors in other states but not when soliciting in Louisiana.

Role of professional solicitors

Professional solicitors play a crucial role in the registration process. By definition, a professional solicitor is an individual or corporation paid by a charity to raise money or create donation campaigns on the charity’s behalf. This distinction is important since employees or volunteers raising funds directly for their charity are not considered professional solicitors.

Professional solicitors must register separately with the Louisiana Department of Justice before conducting any charitable solicitation activities. Their registration process includes:

• Filing an application with the Department
• Paying a $150 application fee
• Submitting a $25,000 bond with the state treasurer

Each registration remains valid for one year and requires renewal annually. Furthermore, professional solicitors must disclose detailed information about their operations, including names and addresses of officers, directors, and personnel involved in solicitation activities.

Foreign qualification with the Secretary of State is not a prerequisite to charitable registration.

Exemptions from Registration in Louisiana

Louisiana offers several key exemptions from charitable solicitation registration requirements, making it more accessible for certain nonprofits to operate without the administrative burden of registration. Understanding these exemptions can save your organization time and resources while ensuring you remain compliant with state laws.

Religious and educational institutions

Religious organizations enjoy broad exemptions from charitable solicitation registration requirements in Louisiana. These exemptions specifically cover:

• Ecclesiastical or denominational organizations
• Churches or established physical places of worship where nonprofit religious services are regularly conducted
• Bona fide religious groups that don’t maintain specific places of worship
• Religious organizations exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3)
• Institutions soliciting contributions for construction and maintenance of houses of worship or clergy residences

Educational institutions receive similar exemptions provided they are recognized or approved by the Louisiana Department of Education, the appropriate state educational board, or the relevant accrediting agency. Unlike some states that require educational institutions to file exemption applications, Louisiana allows qualified educational organizations to claim this status automatically if they meet the criteria.

Hospitals and voluntary health organizations

Hospitals organized under Louisiana state law receive automatic exemptions from charitable registration requirements. This exemption applies regardless of whether they employ professional solicitors or fundraising counsel—a significant benefit compared to most other organization types.

Similarly, voluntary health organizations established under Louisiana state law or federal laws are exempt from registration requirements. These organizations can conduct fundraising activities without registration, even when working with professional solicitors—a notable exception to the general rule.

For both hospitals and voluntary health organizations, these exemptions are permanent as long as the organization continues to qualify under the exemption criteria. There’s no need to renew or reapply for exempt status annually, reducing administrative burdens for these essential service providers.

Organizations not using paid solicitors

Perhaps the most significant exemption in Louisiana applies to any charitable organization that doesn’t use professional solicitors or fundraising counsel. This represents a major departure from the approach taken by many other states and significantly reduces the registration burden for smaller nonprofits.

Under this broad exemption:

• Organizations raising funds exclusively through volunteer efforts are automatically exempt
• No application or filing is required to claim this automatic exemption
• The exemption remains valid indefinitely as long as the organization continues to avoid using paid solicitors

Notably, if your organization uses professional solicitors in other states but not when soliciting in Louisiana, you still qualify for this exemption in Louisiana. This provision offers flexibility for organizations operating across multiple states with different fundraising strategies.

For organizations unsure about their exemption status or needing documentation of exempt status, charitable registration services can help determine eligibility and navigate any necessary paperwork. While most exemptions are automatic, having proper documentation can be valuable when working with donors, grantmakers, or other stakeholders.

Remember that exemptions from registration requirements are separate from tax exemptions—qualifying for one doesn’t automatically qualify you for the other. For comprehensive charitable solicitation compliance, consider consulting with registration experts who can ensure your organization meets all applicable requirements across multiple states.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Registering for charitable solicitation in Louisiana involves several straightforward steps for organizations using professional solicitors. The process requires attention to detail but remains less complicated than in many other states, ensuring your nonprofit compliance is achievable.

Prepare required documents

First, you’ll need to gather several essential documents before beginning your registration process:

• Articles of incorporation or formation documents
• Bylaws of the organization
• IRS determination letter (501(c)(3) status)
• List of officers and directors
• List of other states where your organization is registered
• All contracts with professional solicitors

Having these documents ready in advance will streamline your charitable registration services process and prevent delays. Organizations often find that proper preparation is the most time-consuming aspect of registration.

Complete the Unified Registration Statement (URS)

Louisiana accepts either the state Charitable Organization Registration Form or the Unified Registration Statement (URS) for charitable solicitation registration. When completing your filing, you will provide information such as:

• Organization name and purpose
• Principal address and any Louisiana offices
• Estimated fundraising amounts and costs
• Any previous legal issues related to solicitation
• Purpose for which contributions will be used
• Names under which you’ll solicit funds
• Names of individuals responsible for fund disbursement

Many organizations work with charitable solicitation registration specialists to ensure their filing is properly completed, as errors can delay approval and waste valuable time.

Submit contracts with professional solicitors

Next, you must include copies of all contracts with professional solicitors as part of your registration package. These contracts should detail the relationship between your organization and any paid fundraisers. Louisiana law requires disclosure of:

• Professional solicitor names and addresses
• Estimated fundraising amounts
• All costs and expenses related to solicitation
• Fee arrangements and compensation structures

Pay the $25 filing fee

The registration fee in Louisiana is $25.00, payable to the Louisiana Department of Justice. This fee must accompany your registration materials.

Where and how to file

Submit your registration package to:

Public Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
1885 N. 3rd Street, 4th Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

You may file by mail or online through the Louisiana Department of Justice. Charities using professional solicitors should ensure registration is approved before soliciting. In addition, professional solicitors must file a notice of commencement of solicitation at least 10 days prior to performing under a contract.

Upon receipt, the Louisiana Department of Justice will review your application. For organizations with complex structures or those registering in multiple states, nonprofit license services can provide valuable assistance in navigating different state requirements efficiently.

Annual Renewal and Ongoing Compliance

Once registered, maintaining compliance with Louisiana’s charitable solicitation laws requires regular attention to renewal deadlines and ongoing requirements. Keeping your registration active ensures your organization can continue fundraising legally throughout the state.

When are renewals due?

In Louisiana, charitable solicitation registration renewals must be submitted annually by the anniversary date of your initial registration. For instance, if you initially registered on March 15, your renewal would be due each year by that same date.

What needs to be submitted?

During the renewal process, charitable organizations typically submit:

• Completed renewal through the Charitable Organization Registration Form (or URS)
• List of officers and directors
• Copies of all professional fundraising contracts
• List of other states where your organization is registered to solicit
• $25 filing fee made payable to “Louisiana Department of Justice”

Materials can be mailed or submitted online to the Public Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General in Baton Rouge.

Penalties for non-compliance

The Louisiana Department of Justice may take enforcement actions under state law if a required registration or renewal is not maintained, which can include restricting solicitation and other remedies. To avoid interruptions, many organizations utilize professional charitable registration assistance to track deadlines and ensure timely compliance year-round.

Financial statements

Louisiana charitable organization registration filings do not require audited financial statements, which simplifies the renewal process compared to other states that mandate detailed financial reporting.

For organizations registering in multiple states, nonprofit license experts can help navigate the varying requirements across different jurisdictions while ensuring consistent compliance across all required states.

Helpful Resources and Support Options

Navigating the charity registration process in Louisiana becomes much simpler with the right resources at your disposal. We will explore the support options available to help your organization maintain compliance.

Using charitable registration services

For many organizations, charitable solicitation registration can consume approximately 200 hours of work annually. Professional registration services handle the paperwork, track deadlines, and ensure compliance across multiple states—freeing your team to focus on mission work rather than administrative tasks. This option proves especially valuable if your nonprofit solicits in several jurisdictions beyond Louisiana.

As a commercial registered agent, Labyrinth, Inc. brings unique nonprofit expertise to charitable registration, offering regulatory guidance, privacy shielding, and reliable document management. We consolidate your compliance needs into one vendor, one invoice, and one portal, which leads to fewer missed notices and faster responses.

Louisiana Department of Justice contact information

The Louisiana Department of Justice’s Public Protection Division oversees charitable registration. Contact them at:

• Mailing address: 1885 N. 3rd Street, 4th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
• Phone: 225-326-6400
• Email: constituentservices@ag.louisiana.gov

Avoiding common mistakes

Common registration errors include:

• Failing to disclose contracts with professional solicitors
• Making false claims about charitable status or membership characteristics
• Using unauthorized names of bona fide charitable organizations
• Missing annual renewal deadlines
• Submitting incomplete documentation

How can you stay updated on changes?

To remain informed about regulatory changes, consider:

• Subscribing to the Louisiana Department of Justice newsletter
• Partnering with nonprofit compliance specialists who monitor regulatory changes across all states
• Checking the Louisiana Department of Justice website for updates
• Joining nonprofit professional associations that track legislative changes

Properly managing your charitable registration requirements helps maintain your nonprofit’s good standing and fundraising capabilities while avoiding costly compliance issues.

Conclusion

Registering for charitable solicitation in Louisiana offers a more straightforward process compared to many other states. The state’s unique approach—requiring registration only when using professional solicitors—creates fewer barriers for smaller organizations while maintaining necessary oversight. This distinctive characteristic makes Louisiana an easier state to navigate in your nonprofit compliance journey.

Throughout this guide, you’ve learned that proper registration protects your organization and preserves your reputation with donors. You now understand the broad exemptions available for religious institutions, educational organizations, hospitals, and nonprofits operating without paid solicitors. These exemptions significantly reduce administrative burdens for qualifying organizations.

The registration process itself requires minimal documentation and a $25 filing fee, making it one of the more affordable states for charitable registration. Nevertheless, failure to comply when required can result in enforcement actions under state law.

Many organizations find value in working with charitable solicitation specialists who track deadlines, prepare documentation, and ensure ongoing compliance across all required jurisdictions. Through our bulk-change program, we often discount or waive our fees for volume switches and may cover state fees while extending first-year service up to 12 months to help clients avoid double-paying overlapping contracts.

Remember that registration requirements can change, so staying informed about Louisiana’s regulations remains essential for your fundraising success. Proper charitable registration management ultimately allows your nonprofit to focus on its mission rather than regulatory concerns. Your diligence in following these steps ensures your organization can confidently and legally raise funds to support your important work throughout Louisiana.

Frequently Asked Questions