Connecticut Fundraising Registration Requirements

Connecticut State Fundraising Registration

Resources for charities, businesses, professional fundraisers, and individuals conducting fundraising activities

 

Connecticut Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses

Labyrinth provides the state fundraising regulations below as a guide to help you apply for and maintain your ability to fundraise. Need help? We can manage your state registrations for you. Contact us today to learn more.


Connecticut defines requirements for:

•  Charitable Organization Registration

•  Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

•  Professional Fundraiser Registration

•  Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

•  Charitable Gift Annuity Registration


Need a different state? Visit our 50-state Compliance Guide


Connecticut Charitable Organization Registration

Agency:   Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

Law:   Connecticut General Statutes § 21a-190a et seq.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:  No

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? No

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:

  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions using curricula that are registered or approved by any state or the United States or that have been accepted by an accrediting body
  • Parent-teacher associations
  • Nonprofit hospitals
  • Government organizations
  • Charities that receive $50,000 or less in contributions annually and do not use paid solicitors
  • Persons who solicit for exempt organizations

    • Form:   Claim of Exemption from Registration

    Agency Fee:  $0

    Notes: Exemptions do not expire as long as the organization continues to qualify under the exemption criteria.

    Initial Registration

    Form: Initial Charitable Organization Registration Application

    Filing Method:   Mail or online

    Agency Fee:  $50

    Turnaround: 2-3 weeks

    Notice:

  • Two authorized representatives must sign. Notarized signatures are not required.
  • Some Connecticut counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

    • - Before you Apply -

    Domestic Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

    • Foreign Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.
  • If you will foreign qualify in Connecticut, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.

    • - How to Apply -

    Domestic Applicants:

  • 1. File entity formation documents with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
  • 2. Submit a Charitable Organization Registration Application and all required attachments to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

    • Foreign Applicants:

  • 1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Connecticut. If not required, skip to number 3.
  • 2. File foreign qualification documents with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
  • 3. Submit a Charitable Organization Registration Application and all required attachments to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

    • Required Attachments:

  • Articles of incorporation or organization
  • A copy of any agreement of association, instrument of trust, constitution, or other organizational instrument
  • A copy of the bylaws adopted by the applicant
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    Registration Renewal

    Form:   Charitable Organization Renewal Notice

    Filing Method:   Mail or online

    Agency Fee:  $50

    Due:  

  • Annually within 11 months after the organization’s fiscal year ends. For example, organizations with December fiscal year-ends are due by November 30.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.

    • Due Date Extension: No extensions are available for charitable registration due dates.

    Penalties: There is a late fee of $25 for each month that passes after the due date. Registrations lapse 65 days after the due date and must then be reinstated.

    Notes: Renewal notices (forms) are sent in the mail approximately 30-45 days prior to the expiration date.

    Required Attachments:

  • Audited financials (if applicable)

    • Contract Filing

    Filing Method:   Email to dcp.publiccharities@ct.gov

    Agency Fee:  $0

    Due: Every charitable organization which agrees to permit a charitable sales promotion to be conducted in its behalf, shall obtain a written agreement from the commercial coventurer and submit a copy of such agreement to the Department of Consumer Protection not less than ten days prior to the commencement of the charitable sales promotion within this state.

     

    Notes: Contracts, at a minimum, must include:

  • 1. The goods or services to be offered to the public;
  • 2. The geographic area where, and the starting and final date when, such offering is to be made;
  • 3. The manner in which the name of the charitable organization is to be used, including any representation to be made to the public as to the amount or per cent per unit of goods or services purchased or used that is to benefit the charitable organization;
  • 4. A provision for a final accounting on a per unit basis to be given by the commercial coventurer to the charitable organization and the date when it is to be made; and
  • 5. The date when and the manner in which the benefit is to be conferred on the charitable organization.

    • How to Apply: The charity must be registered to solicit charitable contributions or otherwise exempt for the contract to be accepted.

    Change of Fiscal Year

    Notes: Fiscal year can be changed during the standard renewal process. Submit the last 990 prior to change and include the short year 990 as well.

    Cancellation

    Agency Fee:  $0

    Notes: Closing a charity registration is optional in Connecticut. The state will accept a letter stating intent to withdraw, but charities can also simply allow their registration to expire.

     
    Home for our Troops
    Labyrinth has taken the stress out of ensuring our organization is current with all state requirements. Their knowledgeable staff are always available to answer questions and provide guidance giving me peace of mind. I can’t say enough about the value they bring to our organization.

    Beth Lyons, Director of Development, Homes for Our Troops

    Connecticut Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

    Agency:   Connecticut Insurance Department

    Law:   CT Stat. § 38a-1030 et seq.

    Organization Age Requirement:   3 years of continuous existence immediately preceding licensure.

    Minimum Unrestricted Cash or Cash Equivalent Requirement:   $300,000

    Initial Registration

    Notes:   Connecticut charities must provide notice on the day they first enter into a charitable gift annuity agreement. Notices must identify the organization, certify that the organization is a charity and that the annuities issued are qualified charitable gift annuities, and be signed by an officer or director.

    Registration Renewal

    NOT REQUIRED

     
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    I’ve had great experiences with Labyrinth across two organizations, I definitely recommend their services!

    Killjan Anderson – USA BASKETBALL

    Commercial coventurer means a person who for profit is regularly and primarily engaged in trade or commerce in this state other than in connection with the raising of funds for charitable organizations or purposes and who conducts a charitable sales promotion.


    Connecticut Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

    NOT REQUIRED

    Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Connecticut.
    Connecticut does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.

    Contract Filing

    Filing Method: Email to dcp.publiccharities@ct.gov

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due: Every charitable organization which agrees to permit a charitable sales promotion to be conducted in its behalf, shall obtain a written agreement from the commercial coventurer and submit a copy of such agreement to the Department of Consumer Protection not less than ten days prior to the commencement of the charitable sales promotion within this state.

    Law: CT Gen Stat. § 21a-190g.

    Notes: Contracts, at a minimum, must include:

  • 1. The goods or services to be offered to the public;
  • 2. The geographic area where, and the starting and final date when, such offering is to be made;
  • 3. The manner in which the name of the charitable organization is to be used, including any representation to be made to the public as to the amount or per cent per unit of goods or services purchased or used that is to benefit the charitable organization;
  • 4. A provision for a final accounting on a per unit basis to be given by the commercial coventurer to the charitable organization and the date when it is to be made; and
  • 5. The date when and the manner in which the benefit is to be conferred on the charitable organization.

    • Contract Amendment

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due: An amendment filing should be made before the expiration date of a campaign in order to extend the campaign.

    Notes: To report an extension of a campaign or another change to a campaign agreement, submit a cover letter describing the change and include a copy of the amended agreement.

    Connecticut Fundraising Counsel Registration

    Fund-raising counsel means a person who for compensation plans, manages, advises or consults with respect to the solicitation in this state of contributions by a charitable organization, but who does not solicit contributions and who does not directly or indirectly employ, procure or engage any person compensated to solicit contributions. A bona fide nontemporary salaried officer or employee of a charitable organization shall not be deemed to be a fund-raising counsel.


    Agency:   Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

    Law:   CT Stat § 21a-190e

    Bond Requirements: $20,000

    Automatic Exemption

    Exemption Eligible Organizations: Fundraising counsels that do not have custody or control of charitable contributions are exempt from the registration requirement, however, other requirements from the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act apply.

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Law: CT Stat. § 21a-190e

    Initial Registration

    Form: Fundraising Counsel Registration Statement

    Agency Fee:   $120

    Notes: Registration is only required of fundraising counsels that have custody or control of contributions.

    Registration Renewal

    Form: Fundraising Counsel Registration Statement (Renewal)

    Agency Fee:   $120

    Due: Annually by the registration anniversary date.

    Contract Filing

    Filing Method: Email to dcp.publiccharities@ct.gov

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due: Each contract between a charitable organization and a fund-raising counsel shall be in writing and must be filed by the fund-raising counsel with the department at least 15 days prior to the performance by the fund-raising counsel of any material services pursuant to such contract.

    Law:   CT Gen Stat. § 21a-190e.


    Connecticut Paid Solicitor Registration

    Paid solicitor means a person who for any consideration, other than any nonmonetary gift of nominal value awarded to a volunteer solicitor as an incentive or token of appreciation, performs for a charitable organization any service in connection with which contributions are solicited by such person or by any person he directly or indirectly employs, procures or engages to solicit for such compensation. A bona fide nontemporary salaried officer or employee of a charitable organization shall not be deemed to be a paid solicitor.

    Agency:  Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

    Bond Requirements:  $20,000

    Initial Registration

    Form:  Paid Solicitor Registration Statement

    Instructions:   Mail to: Department of Consumer Protection Attn: Public Charities Unit 450 Columbus Blvd, Ste 801 Hartford, CT 06103

    Agency Fee:   $500

    Required Attachments:  

  • Attach a list of the names, residence addresses and titles of all officers, directors
  • Attach a list of persons or entities with a 25% or more ownership interest in the paid solicitor
  • Attach an explanation of any conviction by a court of any state or the United States of any felony, or of any misdemeanor involving dishonesty or arising from the conduct of a solicitation for a charitable organization or purpose for all people listed on your application
  • Attach a list of other states in which you are registered to solicit funds

    • Registration Renewal

    Filing Method:  Online

    Agency Fee:   $500

    Due:   Annually by the registration anniversary date.

    Contract Filing

    Form:  Solicitation Notice

    Filing Method:  Mail or online

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due:   File a solicitation notice at least 20 days prior to the start of the performance of the contract.

    Original lnk:   Not required

    Notarize:   Not required

    Notes:   A contract between a paid solicitor and a charitable organization shall be in writing, shall clearly state the respective obligations of the paid solicitor and the charitable organization and shall state the minimum amount that the charitable organization shall receive as a result of the solicitation campaign, which minimum amount shall be stated as a percentage of the gross revenue. Such minimum amount shall not include any amount that the charitable organization is to pay as expenses of the solicitation campaign.

    Financial Reporting

    Form:   Campaign Report

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due:   Within 90 days after a campaign has ended and on the anniversary of commencement for campaigns lasting more than a year.

    Connecticut Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

    Connecticut Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration

    NOT REQUIRED

    Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Connecticut.
    Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Connecticut.

     
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    Thank you, you truly are amazing! And frankly we would be lost in all of this if it wasn’t for you.

    Lisa Strand, Operations Coordinator, Life is Good Playmakers


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