New Hampshire State Fundraising Registration

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

 

New Hampshire 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.


New Hampshire 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


Company Licenses

New Hampshire Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses

New Hampshire Bingo License

Game Type:

Bingo

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Organization Age Requirement:

2 years of continuous existence in New Hampshire immediately preceeding licensure.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Notes:

Bingo licenses can be issued for monthly or annual periods.

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Form:

Bingo Application and Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$25 per game date.

Registration Renewal

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Form:

Bingo Application and Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$25 per game date.

Due:

Licenses expire on the date of the last approved bingo game date.

New Hampshire Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

Agency:New Hampshire Department of Justice- Charitable Trusts Unit
Law:

NH Stat. Title XXXVII § 403-E:1 et seq.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Organization Age Requirement:

3 years of continuous existence immediately preceeding licensure.

Minimum Unrestricted Cash or Cash Equivalent Requirement:

$300,000

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Certification Required by Charitable Organizations That Issue Charitable Gift Annuities

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

New Hampshire 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 limited to qualified charitable gift annuities, and be signed by an officer or director.

New Hampshire Charitable Organization Registration

Agency:New Hampshire Department of Justice- Charitable Trusts Unit
Law:

1 NH Stat § 7:28

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Automatic Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • Any religious organization which holds property for charitable or religious purposes or their integrated auxiliaries or conventions or associations of churches
  • Government agencies
  • Colleges and universities funded by or associated with state government
Law:

1 NH Stat § 7:19

Notes:
  • Religious organizations that are exempt from IRS 990 filing requirements are automatically exempted.
  • Organizations that are not automatically exempted may file a Request for Pre-Registration Review to see if their organization qualifies for exemption.

Initial Registration

Form:

Form NHCT-11: Application for Registration

Instructions:

Instructions for NHCT-11, Application for Registration

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$25

Turnaround:

4-6 weeks

Notes:
  • Any nonprofit organization that 1) will be applying to the IRS to be a 501(c)(3) organization and/or 2) will solicit donations or distribute funds in the state of N.H. and/or 3) is formed for any purpose enumerated in RSA 7:21, II is required to register with and report to the Attorney General, Charitable Trusts Unit.
  • The president and treasurer must sign. Signatures need not be notarized.
  • Upon approval, you will receive a Certificate of Registration.
  • Some New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire.
  • 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 New Hampshire.
  • 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 New Hampshire, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. Submit an Application for Registration and all required attachments to the New Hampshire Department of Justice- Charitable Trusts Unit.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in New Hampshire. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  3. Submit an Application for Registration and all required attachments to the New Hampshire Department of Justice- Charitable Trusts Unit.
Required Attachments:

  • Either a copy of the most recent bank statement or IRS form 990
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter
  • List of officers and directors
  • Conflict of interest policy

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form NHCT-12: Annual Report

Instructions:

Instructions for NHCT-12, Annual Report

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$75

Due:
  • Annually within 4.5 months after the close of your fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, renewal is due by May 15.
  • 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 6 months beyond the original due date by submitting an Application for Extension of Time to File Annual Report along with the $75 renewal fee.

Notes:
  • Note the list attachments required. Large organizations may need to provide audited financial statements.
  • The president and treasurer must sign. Signatured need not be notarized.
  • The state does not provide confirmation.
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • List of officers and directors

Contract Filing

Form:

Form NHCT-23: Notice of Contract

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

1-2 business days.

Due:

A notice of contract must be filed prior to the commencement of every charitable sales promotion.

Notes:

The agreement must be signed by an authorized representative of the charitable trust and the commercial co-venturer and it must include, at a minimum, the following:

  1. The goods or services to be offered to the public.
  2. The geographic area where, and the starting and final date when, the offering shall be made.
  3. The manner in which the charitable trust's name shall be used, including the representation to be made to the public as to the actual or estimated dollar amount or percent per unit of goods or services purchased or used that shall benefit the charitable trust.
  4. If applicable, the maximum dollar amount that shall benefit the charitable trust.
  5. The estimated number of units of goods or services to be sold or used.
  6. A provision for a final accounting on a per unit basis to be given by the commercial co-venturer to the charitable trust and the date by which it shall be made.
  7. A statement that the charitable sales promotion is subject to the requirements of this subdivision.
  8. The date by, and the manner in which, the benefit shall be conferred on the charitable trust.
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

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

1-2 business days

Notes:

Email charitabletrusts2@doj.nh.gov to update fiscal year.

Cancellation

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

New Hampshire organizations are allowed to withdraw their registration because of merger, dissolution, etc.  File will be closed once this form has been filed and a final annual report has been received.  Out-of-State organizations are allowed to withdraw their registrations if they no longer plan to solicit donations from New Hampshire citizens.

New Hampshire Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

Not required



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

New Hampshire 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

Form:

Form PFR-8: Notice of Contract

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

A notice of contract must be filed prior to the commencement of every charitable sales promotion.

Notes:

The agreement must be signed by an authorized representative of the charitable trust and the commercial co-venturer and it must include, at a minimum, the following:

  1. The goods or services to be offered to the public.
  2. The geographic area where, and the starting and final date when, the offering shall be made.
  3. The manner in which the charitable trust's name shall be used, including the representation to be made to the public as to the actual or estimated dollar amount or percent per unit of goods or services purchased or used that shall benefit the charitable trust.
  4. If applicable, the maximum dollar amount that shall benefit the charitable trust.
  5. The estimated number of units of goods or services to be sold or used.
  6. A provision for a final accounting on a per unit basis to be given by the commercial co-venturer to the charitable trust and the date by which it shall be made.
  7. A statement that the charitable sales promotion is subject to the requirements of this subdivision.
  8. The date by, and the manner in which, the benefit shall be conferred on the charitable trust.

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.

Fund Raising Counsel are individuals or entities that are hired by a charitable organization to plan a fundraising campaign, but who do not solicit or collect funds for the charity. Fund Raising Counsel are required to register with the Charitable Trusts Unit annually, pay a filing fee, and submit copies of any contracts between the Fund Raising Counsel and the charitable organization.

New Hampshire Fundraising Counsel Registration

Agency:New Hampshire Department of Justice- Charitable Trusts Unit
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Registration of Fund Raising Counsel

Agency Fee:

$150

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Application for Renewal of Fund Raising Counsel

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Required

Contract Filing

Form:

Notice of Contract

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

File a notice of contract or the contract prior to the start of the performance of a contract with a charity.

New Hampshire Games of Chance License

Game Type:

Various games of chance

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Form:

Games of Chance Application

Agency Fee:

$25 per game date.

Registration Renewal

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Form:

Games of Chance Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$25 per game date.

Due:

Annually by December 31.

New Hampshire Lucky 7 License

Game Type:

Lucky 7

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Notes:

Lucky 7 licenses are issued for monthly periods, but organizations can apply for as many as 12 months at a time, so long as the licensing period is within a single calendar year.

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Form:

Lucky 7 Application

Agency Fee:

$10 per month.

Registration Renewal

Agency:New Hampshire Lottery Commission - Racing and Charitable Gaming Division
Form:

Lucky 7 Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$10 per month.

Due:

Due by the end of the month that concludes the licensing period.

Paid Solicitors are individuals or entities that are hired by a charitable organization to conduct a fundraising campaign on behalf of the charity. Paid Solicitors generally retain a percentage of the funds raised as payment for their services. Paid Solicitors are required to register with the Charitable Trusts Unit annually, post a $20,000 bond, and pay a filing fee. Paid Solicitors seeking to conduct a telemarketing or fundraising campaign on behalf of a charitable organization must first obtain a permit from the Charitable Trusts Unit. The Paid Solicitor must file an application and pay a filing fee for each campaign.

New Hampshire Paid Solicitor Registration

Agency:New Hampshire Department of Justice- Charitable Trusts Unit
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Bond Requirements:

$20,000

Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Form NHCT-21: Application for Registration of Paid Solicitor

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$500

Notarize:Required
Before you Apply:
  • Telemarketers: 
    • Do you intend to use an “automatic telephone dialing system” as defined in NH RSA 359-E:1, I
    • Do you intend to engage in solicitation as defined in NH RSA 359-E:1, II
    • If yes to either of these, you must register separately as a telemarketer

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form NHCT-21: Application for Registration of Paid Solicitor (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$500

Due:

Annually

Notarize:Required

Contract Filing

Form:

Solicitation Notice

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Prior to the commencement of each solicitation campaign, the paid solicitor shall file with the attorney general a completed "solicitation notice'' on forms prescribed by the attorney general.

Financial Reporting

Form:

Paid Solicitor Joint Financial 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.

Notarize:Required

Individual Licenses

New Hampshire Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

New Hampshire Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration

Not required



Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in New Hampshire.

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 New Hampshire.



Learn about fundraising in other jurisdictions: