Michigan State Fundraising Registration

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

Michigan 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.

Michigan 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

Michigan Charitable Organization Registration

Agency: Michigan Attorney General - Charitable Trust Section

Law: Michigan Compiled Laws §400.271 through 400.292

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: No

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? Yes

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:

Organizations exempt under both the Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act (COSA) and the Supervision of Trustees for Charitable Purposes Act (STCPA):

An organization that requests contributions only for the relief or benefit of a named individual or family with all fundraising conducted by persons who are unpaid for their service

A Michigan educational institution approved by the Michigan Board of Education

A veterans organization incorporated under federal law

A licensed hospital (Health systems and other affiliates are not exempt even if they include a licensed hospital)

A school booster organization operating with the knowledge and approval of an educational institution for the support or promotion of educational, artistic, musical, or athletic programs or events

A governmental unit or instrumentality

An advocacy or lobbying organization, or an organization associated with an advocacy organization, political party, candidate or committee, that does not have 501(c)(3) status (If the organization's IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter requires it to file a Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N, the organization likely does not qualify for this exemption)

An organization that will not have 501(c)(3) status and whose principal purpose is not charitable but that solicits from time to time for a charitable purpose (To qualify for this exemption the organization must not have or intend to receive 501(c)(3) status, all fundraising must be performed by members of the organization who are not paid for their services, and all funds must be wholly used for the purposes for which they were solicited)

Organizations exempt under COSA:

An organization that confines solicitations to drives solely among members, directors and their immediate families, where the general public is not invited to become a member. This includes a private foundation for IRS tax purposes that receives contributions solely from incorporators, directors, stockholders or their families, or from a sponsoring business

An organization whose sole source of contributions is a charitable organization registered with this office to solicit contributions

A hospital-based foundation or auxiliary that solicits contributions solely for 1 or more licensed hospitals

An organization that does not intend to solicit and receive, and does not actually receive, contributions in excess of $25,000 (Excluding grants from government agencies or restricted grants from foundations) during any 12-month period (All fundraising functions must be conducted by persons, whether staff or contractors, who are not paid for their services and the organization must make a financial statement of its activities of its most recent fiscal year available to its members and the public)

A nonprofit corporation whose purpose is the owning and operating of facilities for the aged and chronically ill that is under the sole control of a religious or fraternal society

An organization at least 50% of whose activities are licensed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to serve children and families

Organizations exempt under STCPA:

An organization incorporated or organized in a state other than Michigan that will never hold assets in Michigan, including cash, savings accounts, investment accounts, land, building, equipment, etc.

An organization that receives operating funds from United Way

An amateur theater, band, orchestra, chorale or dance organization

Form: Form CTS-03: Request for Exemption

Filing Method: Mail or email to ct_mail@mi.gov

Agency Fee: $0

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

Initial Registration

Form: Form CTS-01: Initial Solicitation Registration Form

Filing Method: Mail, email to ct_email@michigan.gov, or online.

Agency Fee: $0

Turnaround: 4 - 6 weeks

Notes:

One principal officer or director must sign. Signatures need not be notarized.

Verify that the attorney general's office received the registration form by searching for the organization at www.michigan.gov/AGCharitySearch

Following review if your initial registration or exemption, the Attorney General may instruct your organization to complete additional forms.

Some Michigan 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.

Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Michigan.

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.

Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Michigan.

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 Michigan, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 30 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.

- How to Apply -

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing - Corporations Division.

2. Submit an Initial Solicitation Registration Form and all required attachments to the Michigan Attorney General - Charitable Trust Section.

Foreign Applicants:

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

2. File foreign qualification documents with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing - Corporations Division.

3. Submit an Initial Solicitation Registration Form and all required attachments to the Michigan Attorney General - Charitable Trust Section.

- Required Attachments -

IRS form 990

Audited financials (if applicable)

Articles of incorporation

Bylaws

IRS determination letter

List of officers and directors

Professional fundraising contracts

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Registration Renewal

Form: Form CTS-02: Renewal Solicitation Registration Form

Filing Method: Mail, email to ct_email@michigan.gov, or online.

Agency Fee: $0

Due:

Annually within 7 months after the close of your nonprofit's fiscal year. So if your fiscal calendar ends December 31, then the renewal is due by July 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 5 months beyond the original due date by emailing ct_email@michigan.gov with an explanation of your request for extension. A copy of IRS form 8868 must be included when requesting an extension.

Required Attachments:

IRS form 990

Audited accrual basis financials (if applicable)

List of officers and directors

Professional fundraising contracts

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

Change of Fiscal Year

Form: Form CTS-02: Renewal Solicitation Registration Form

Agency Fee: $0

Notes: Fiscal year can be changed during the standard renewal process.

Cancellation

Agency Fee: $0

Notes: TTo close out your registration, submit a letter indicating the organization will no longer accept contributions from Michigan sources (including via internet). The process may be different for organizations that hold assets in Michigan.

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

Killjan Anderson – USA BASKETBALL

Michigan Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Michigan.
Michigan 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.

Michigan Fundraising Counsel Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Fundraising Counsel licensure is not required on the State level in Michigan.
Michigan no longer requires fundraising counsels to register.
More information: Michigan Attorney General - Charitable Trust Section

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

Michigan Professional Fundraiser Registration

Agency: Michigan Attorney General - Charitable Trust Section

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? Yes

Bond Requirements: $10,000

Initial Registration

Form: Form CTS-07: Application for License of Professional Fundraiser

Agency Fee: $0

Original Ink: Not Required

Notarize: Not Required

Notes: Only solicitation/ events contracts must be filed. If you meet the following qualifications for a consultant, a professional fundraiser license is not required.

Before you Apply:

Provide the names and addresses of the applicant's officers, directors, and all shareholders, members, and others with a 5% or more ownership interest in the entity

You must designate a resident agent located in Michigan to receive official mail sent to your organization

Provide the street addresses of all call centers and other offices located in Michigan

List all assumed names, dba's, and other names used by the entity

List all related entities of the applicant and entities owned or operated by immediate family members of officers, directors, managers, or owners of the applicant that provide services to clients of the applicant

Complete the Current Contract Schedule

- Provide a fully completed Campaign Financial Statement for each contract

Each individual solicitor who is soliciting funds in the state of Michgan must complete a Registration of Professional Solicitor form.

Required Attachments:

Copies of contracts, extensions, and addenda for all charitable or religious organizations currently under contract which intend to solicit contributions or raise funds in Michigan

Surety bond of $10,000

Articles of Incorporation

REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL SOLICITOR form for each solicitor retained to solicit contributions in the State of Michigan. These forms must be submitted to this office for approval prior to solicitation activity

CAMPAIGN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for all solicitations in Michigan that were concluded over the past year and on which you have not yet reported

Registration Renewal

Form: Form CTS-07: Application for License of Professional Fundraiser (Renewal)

Agency Fee: $0

Due: Annually by June 30.

Original Ink: Not Required

Notarize: Not Required

Contract Filing

Form: Form CTS-11: Professional Fundraiser Contract Summary Sheet

Agency Fee: $0

Due: File a contract summary sheet within 10 days after the date of execution of the contract.

Financial Reporting

Form: Form CTS-10: Campaign Financial Statement

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.

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

Michigan Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

A Professional Solicitor is any person who is employed or retained for compensation by a professional fund raiser to solicit contributions for charitable purposes in this state.

Michigan Professional Solicitor Registration

Agency: Michigan Attorney General - Charitable Trust Section

Initial Registration

Form: Form CTS-09: Registration of Professional Solicitor

Agency Fee: $0

Original Ink: Not required

Notarize: Not Required

Registration Renewal

Form: Professional Solicitor Registration Statement (Renewal)

Agency Fee: $0

Due: Annually by June 30.

Original Ink: Not required

Notarize: Not Required

Michigan Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Michigan.
Michigan statutes do not address charitable gift annuities, however, an attorney general opinion that exempted the Michigan State University Foundation from insurance regulation related to charitable gift annuities is also applied to other charitable organizations so long as the issuance of annuities remains secondary to the object and purpose of the organization.

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

Michigan Fundraising Registration Requirements

Michigan State Fundraising Registration

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

Michigan 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.

Michigan 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