Pennsylvania State Fundraising Registration

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

Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania 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

Pennsylvania Charitable Organization Registration

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations - Charities Section

Law: 10 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 4B, § 162.1 - 162.7

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: No

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? No

Initial Registration

Form: Form BCO-10: Charitable Organization Registration Statement

Filing Method: Mail or Online

Agency Fee: $15-250, depending on gross contributions

Turnaround: 2 - 3 weeks

Notes:

Read the exemptions chart carefully and check to see if you still need to file the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Statement.

Some Pennsylvania 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.

If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.

- How to Apply -

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.

2. Submit a Charitable Organization Registration Statement and all required attachments to the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations - Charities Section.

Foreign Applicants:

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

2. File foreign qualification documents with the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.

3. Submit a Charitable Organization Registration Statement and all required attachments to the Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations - Charities Section.

- 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 form 990

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 BCO-10: Charitable Organization Registration Statement (Renewal)

Filing Method: Mail or Online

Agency Fee: $15-250, depending on gross contributions

Due:

Annually within 10.5 months after the end of the organization's fiscal year.

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.

Notes:

The renewal due date is indicated on the certificate of registration you receive after your initial filing.

You must attach an annual financial report.

Required Attachments:

IRS form 990

Audited financials (if applicable)

List of officers and directors

Professional fundraising contracts

Change of Fiscal Year

Agency Fee: Varies

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

Cancellation

Form: Form BCO-2: Non-Renewal Form

Agency Fee: $0

Notes: To close out your registration, file a non-renewal form with any required attachments.

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Pennsylvania Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

NOT REQUIRED

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

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

Pennsylvania Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania.
No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities. Pennsylvania certain charities from insurance regulation related to charitable gift annuities if they meet the description offered in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, have been in continuous existence for at least 3 years, and have unrestricted assets of at least $100,000 plus half of the principal value of issued annuities. The charity must also be an educational institution, hospital, senior citizen center, religious institution, or charitable organization registered with the department of state.

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