Illinois State Fundraising Registration

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

Illinois 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.

Illinois 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

Illinois Charitable Organization Registration

Agency: Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau

Law: 225 ILCS 460/2 and 760 ILCS 55/5

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: Yes

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? Yes

Automatic Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:

The University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University,Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State Normal University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, all educational institutions that are recognized by the State Board of Education or that are accredited by a regional accrediting association or by an organization affiliated with the National Commission on Accrediting, any foundation having an established identity with any of the aforementioned educational institutions, any other educational institution confining its solicitation of contributions to its student body, alumni, faculty and trustees, and their families

Fraternal, patriotic, social, educational, alumni organizations and historical societies when solicitation of contributions is confined to their membership

Persons requesting any contributions for the relief or benefit of any individual if the contributions collected are turned over to the named beneficiary, first deducting reasonable expenses for costs of banquets, or social gatherings, if any, provided all fundraising functions are carried on by persons who are unpaid, directly or indirectly, for such services

Any bona fide union, bona fide political organization or bona fide political action committee, which does not solicit funds for a charitable purpose

Any charitable organization receiving an allocation from an incorporated community chest or united fund provided certain conditions are met

A bona fide organization of volunteer firemen, or a bona fide auxiliary or affiliate of such organization, provided all its fund raising activities are carried on by members of such an organization or an affiliate thereof and such members receive no compensation, directly or indirectly

Any charitable organization operating a nursery for infants awaiting adoption providing that all its fund raising activities are carried on by members of such an organization or an affiliate thereof and such members receive no compensation, directly or indirectly

Any corporation established by the Federal Congress that is required by federal law to submit annual reports of its activities to Congress

Any boys' club which is affiliated with the Boys' Club of America provided, however, that such an affiliate properly files the reports required by the Boys' Club of America and that the Boys' Club of America files with the Government of the United States the reports required by its federal charter

Any veterans organization chartered or incorporated under federal law and any veterans organization which is affiliated with, and recognized in the bylaws of, a congressionally chartered or incorporated veterans organization

Any parent-teacher organization that is controlled by teachers and parents of children attending a particular public or private school for which the organization is named and solicits contributions for the benefit of that particular school provided that certain conditions are met

Notes: Fax a letter to the charitable trust bureau requesting exemption

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations: Religious Organizations

Form: Form CO-3: Religious Exemption Form

Agency Fee: $0

Notarize: Required

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

Initial Registration

Form: Form CO-1: Registration Statement

Filing Method: Mail

Agency Fee: $15

Turnaround: 4 - 6 weeks

Notes:

President and CFO or another authorized officer must sign.

Some Illinois counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

- Before you Apply -

All Applicants:

Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.

Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

- How to Apply -

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Illinois Secretary of State.

2. Submit the online form or Charitable Organization Registration Form and all required attachments to apply for registration with the Illinois Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division.

Foreign Applicants:

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

2. File foreign qualification documents with the Illinois Secretary of State.

3. Submit the online form or Charitable Organization Registration Form and all required attachments to apply for registration with the Illinois Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division.

- 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

Organizational Charter

IRS determination letter

List of officers and directors including phone numbers and addresses

List of other states where the applicant is registered to solicit donations

Names and addresses of any professional fundraisers and commercial coventurers who are acting or have agreed to act on behalf of the applicant

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Registration Renewal

Form: Form AG990-IL: Illinois Charitable Organization Annual Report

Filing Method: Mail

Agency Fee: $15

Due:

Renewal is due annually within 90 days after the close or your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then the report is due March 31.

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:

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

Notes:

The CFO and the president / other authorized officer must sign.

The organization must also notify the Attorney General throughout the year within 90 days of any change in the information.

Required Attachments:

Either IRS form 990 or audited financials

Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Change of Fiscal Year

Agency Fee: $0

Turnaround: 1-2 business days

Notes: Send a letter indicating change of fiscal year and then draft AG990-IL (unsigned) and letter requesting extension.

Cancellation

Form: AG990-IL Charitable Organization Annual Report

Agency Fee: $15

Notes: To close out your registration, file a final annual report with "FINAL" written across the top and original signatures. Organizations must also provide a letter indicating that they wish to withdraw and proof of dissolution or withdrawal from the Secretary of State.

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

Killjan Anderson – USA BASKETBALL

Illinois Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Illinois. CCVs are not licensed in Illinois, but they must meet contract filing and financial reporting requirements. More information: Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau

NOT REQUIRED

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

Illinois Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Illinois.

NOT REQUIRED

I highly recommend this company for any organization that needs help with state filings. They have excellent customer service, have exceptional pricing, and have a true passion for helping organizations with this service. They are FANTASTIC!!

Jacquelyn Bussotti, Human Resources Manager, Parkinson’s Foundation

Illinois Professional Fundraiser Registration

Agency: Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Bureau

Law: 225 ILCS 460/6

Bond Requirements: $10,000

Initial Registration

Annual Financial Report

Form: Form PFR-01: Professional Fund-Raiser Registration Statement

Agency Fee: $100 + $25 for each contract

Original Ink: Not Required

Notarize: Required

Before you Apply:

Names of chief management personnel

"Professional Fund Raiser (PFR) List of Charities & Contracts" (Form PFR-06)

Required Attachments:

Provide a copy of any articles of incorporation or bylaws adopted by the applicant.

Provide a list of the names, residential addresses, dates of birth, driver license numbers, and the state where licensed of all owners, directors, and managers of the applicant.

Provide a list of the address and telephone number for each location in Alabama from which the applicant will solicit funds.

List the name, address, and telephone number of all banks, savings and loan associations, and all other such financial institutions in which the applicant will deposit the funds received, and identify the names in which the funds will be deposited.

List the names, addresses, dates of birth, driver license numbers and the state where licensed for any persons who will solicit funds.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method: Online

Agency Fee: $100

Due: September 30 of each year.

Original Ink: Not Required

Notarize: Not Required

Contract Filing

Agency Fee: $0

Due: File a copy of all contracts entered into with charitable organizations within 10 days after the beginning of the contract.

Notarize: Not Required

Financial Reporting

Form: Form PFR-02: Professional Fund-Raiser Annual Financial Report

Agency Fee: $25

Due: Annually by April 30.

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

Learn about fundraising in other jurisdictions:

Alabama	Alaska	Arizona	Arkansas	California	Colorado
Connecticut	Delaware	D.C.	Florida	Georgia	Hawaii
Idaho	Illinois	Indiana	Iowa	Kansas	Kentucky
Louisiana	Maine	Maryland	Massachusetts	Michigan	Minnesota
Mississippi	Missouri	Montana	Nebraska	Nevada	New Hampshire
New Jersey	New Mexico	New York	North Carolina	North Dakota	Ohio
Oklahoma	Oregon	Pennsylvania	Rhode Island	South Carolina	South Dakota
Tennessee	Texas	Utah	Vermont	Virginia	Washington
West Virginia	Wisconsin	Wyoming

Trust the #1 Choice
for State Charitable Registration

More nonprofits choose Labyrinth
than any other service provider

Illinois Fundraising Registration Requirements

Illinois State Fundraising Registration

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

Illinois 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.

Illinois 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