Florida Fundraising Registration Requirements

Florida State Fundraising Registration

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

 

Florida 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.


Florida 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

Florida Charitable Organizations/Sponsors Registration

Agency:  Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services

Law:   Florida Statutes § 496.405 et seq.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:  No

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? No

Initial Registration

Form:   Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application

Filing Method:   Mail or Online

Agency Fee:  $10-400, depending on contributions received during the prior fiscal year ($0 if exempt)

Turnaround:  2 - 3 weeks

Notes:

  • Notarized signature of the CFO or treasurer is required.
  • Nonprofits who will solicit at Florida highway rest stops must obtain permission from their local Department of Transportation Maintenance Unit. Use Form #850-040-70, Permit Application for Public Use of Rest Areas, Wayside Parks and Solicitation on State Highways. Start by identifying local maintenance units at the Florida Department of Transportation Office of Maintenance.
  • Some Florida 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 Florida, 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:

    File formation documents to form an entity with the Florida Department of State.

    2. Submit a completed Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application and all required attachments to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services.


    Foreign Applicants:

    1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Florida. If not required, skip to number 3.

    2. File foreign qualification documents with the Florida Department of State.

    3. Submit a completed Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application and all required attachments to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services.


    - Required Attachments -

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • IRS determination letter
  • List of officers and directors
  • Professional fundraising contracts
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    Registration Renewal

    Filing Method:   Mail or Online

    Agency Fee:  $10-400, depending on contributions received during the prior fiscal year

    Due:  Annually by the registration anniversary date. Renewals may be filed up to 60 days prior to the expiration date.

    Due Date Extension:

    Due dates can be extended for 180 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

    Notes:

  • Renewal forms are sent in the mail about 30 days prior to the expiration date of the license.
  • Carefully ensure you include all required attachments, including yoru annual financial report.

    • Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • List of officers and directors
  • Professional fundraising contracts
  • IRS determination letter

    • Change of Fiscal Year

    Agency Fee:  $0

    Turnaround:   1-2 business days

    Notes: Email the state to inform them of the change.

    Cancellation

    Agency Fee:  $0

    Notes: To close out your registration, submit a letter stating that your organization no longer solicits in Florida along with documentation supporting this claim. The department will typically accept a disclaimer on the organization's donation page that they will not accept funds from residents of Florida.

     
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    Florida Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

    NOT REQUIRED

    Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Florida.
    Florida 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.
    More information: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services

     
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    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


    Florida Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration

    Agency:   Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services

    Law:   FL Stat. § 496.409

    Initial Registration

    Form: Registration for Professional Fundraising Consultants

    Agency Fee:   $300

    Turnaround: 14-21 days


    Registration Renewal

    Form:  Registration for Professional Fundraising Consultants (Renewal)

    Agency Fee:   $300

    Due: Annually.


    Contract Filing

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due: Every contract or agreement between a professional fundraising consultant and a charitable organization or sponsor must be in writing, signed by two authorized officials of the charitable organization or sponsor, and filed by the professional fundraising consultant at least 5 days prior to the performance of any material service by the professional fundraising consultant.

    Law: FL Stat. § 496.409(4)

    Notes: Contracts must contain all of the following provisions:

    1. A statement of the charitable or sponsor purpose for which the solicitation campaign is being conducted.

    2. A statement of the respective obligations of the professional fundraising consultant and the charitable organization or sponsor.

    3. A clear statement of the fee that will be paid to the professional fundraising consultant.

    4. The effective and termination dates.

    5. A statement that the professional fundraising consultant will not, at any time, have control or custody of contributions.


    Amendment

    Form:   FC, SS and SI Sample Material Change

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due: Professional Fundraising Consultants must report to the department any material change in the information filed, in writing, within 7 working days after the change occurs.



    Florida Individual Professional Solicitor License

    Florida Individual Professional Solicitor License

    Agency:  Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services

    Law:  FL Stat. § 496.4101

    Initial Registration

    Form:   Registration for Professional Solicitor Individuals

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Original Ink:   Not required

    Notarize: Not Required

    Notes: There is no registration fee, but there may be a fee for a background check.


    Registration Renewal

    Form:   Registration for Professional Solicitor Individuals (Renewal)

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due:   Annually

    Original Ink:   Not required

    Notarize: Not Required


    Amendment

    Form:   FC, SS and SI Sample Material Change

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due:   Licensed professional solicitor individuals must notify the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services within 10 days of any material changes in information which was submitted as a condition for license.

     
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    Florida Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

    Agency:   Florida Office of Insurance Regulation

    Law:   FL Stat. § 627.481

    Organization Age Requirement:   5 years of continuous existence immediately preceeding licensure.

    Initial Registration

    Form:   There is no application form.

    Agency Fee:  $0

    Notes:   Charities must submit a notice to the office that identifies the charity, certifies that the organization meets the requirement to issue annuities, and bear the signature of two or more officers or directors. Organizations must have a separated reserve fund and qualify as a 501(c)(3).

    Registration Renewal

    Agency Fee:   $0

    Due:   Annually within 60 days of the charity's fiscal year end.

    Notes:   The charity must file annual sworn statements which follow the rules set by the office of insurance regulation.

    One-Time Exemption Registration

    Exemption Eligible Organizations:

  • Charities that do not intent to solicit and receive and do not actually receive more than $25,000 in contributions during a fical year and do not use professional fundraisers
  • Educational institutions and their authorized and related foundations
  • Religious organizations
  • Political organizations
  • Fraternal, patriotic, benevolent, social, educational, alumni, health care foundation, historical, and civil rights organizations, including fraternities and sororities and any auxiliaries associated with any such organizations
  • Civic leagues and civic organizations which solicit contributions solely from their own membership
  • Appeals for individuals that raise $10,000 or less
  • Any charitable organization receiving an allocation from an incorporated community chest or united fund, provided the chest or fund is complying with this section relating to registration and filing of annual reports with the Attorney General, the charitable organization does not actually receive, in addition to an allocation, contributions in excess of $25,000 during the fiscal year, and all of the fundraising functions of the charitable organization are carried on by persons who are not paid for such services
  • A local post, camp, chapter, or similarly designated element, or a county unit of such elements of a bona fide veterans organization, which issues charters to local elements throughout this state, or a bona fide organization of volunteer firefighters, ambulance companies, or rescue squads, or a bona fide auxiliary or affiliate of such organizations, provided all of its fundraising activities are carried on by members of the organization, family members of the members of the organization, volunteers, or an affiliate of the organization and the members receive no compensation, directly or indirectly

    • Filing Method   Online

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

    Agency Fee:  $0

     
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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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