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

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:

Any charitable organization which receives contributions of $25,000 or less annually, provided that such organization does not compensate any person who conducts solicitations

Educational institutions, the curricula of which in whole or in part are registered with or approved by the Department of Education, either directly or by acceptance of accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education, and any auxiliary associations, foundations and support groups which are directly responsible to educational institutions

Hospitals which are subject to regulation by the Department of Health or the Department of Public Welfare and the hospital foundation, if any, which is an integral part thereof

A local post, camp, chapter or similarly designated element or a county unit of such elements of any veterans' organization chartered under Federal law and any service foundation recognized in the bylaws of such organization; a bona fide organization of volunteer firemen; a bona fide ambulance association; a bona fide rescue squad association; or a bona fide auxiliary or affiliate of any of the above mentioned organizations (provided that all fundraising activities are carried on by volunteers, members or an auxiliary or affiliate thereof, and those volunteers, members or affiliates receive no compensation directly or indirectly for the fundraising activities)

Public nonprofit library organizations which receive financial aid from State and municipal governments and file an annual fiscal report with the State Library System

Senior citizen centers and nursing homes which are nonprofit and charitable and which have been granted tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provided that all fundraising activities are carried on by volunteers, members or officers of the Senior Citizen Center and those volunteers, members or officers receive no compensation, directly or indirectly, for the fundraising activities

Bona fide parent/teacher associations or parent/teacher organizations as recognized in a notarized letter from the school district in which they are located

Any corporation established by an act of Congress of the United States that is required by Federal law to submit annual reports of its activities to Congress containing itemized accounts of all receipts and expenditures after being fully audited by the Department of Defense

Form: Form PCO-9: Request for Approval of Exemption/Exclusion

Agency Fee: $0

Law: 10 PA Stat § 162.6

Notes: If your organization is based in Pennsylvania, it still may be required to file an institutions of Purely Public Charity Statement

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

Trust the #1 Choice for State Charitable Registration
Contact Us Today

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.

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

Killjan Anderson – USA BASKETBALL

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

Pennsylvania Professional Fundraiser Registration

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

Bond Requirements: $25,000

Initial Registration

Annual Financial Report

Form: Form BCO-155: Registration Statement for Professional Solicitor

Agency Fee: $250

Original Ink: Not Required

Notarize: Not Required

Before you Apply:

The address of the principal place of business of the applicant and any Pennsylvania addresses, if the principal place of business is located outside this Commonwealth.

The form of the applicant's business.

The names and residence addresses of all principals of the applicant, including all officers, directors and owners.

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.

Whether any of the owners, directors, officers or employees of the applicant are related by blood, marriage or adoption to any other directors, officers, owners or employees of the applicant, any officer, director, trustee or employee of any charitable organization under contract to the applicant or any supplier or vendor providing goods or services to any charitable organization under contract to the applicant.

Registration Renewal

Form: Form BCO-155: Registration Statement for Professional Solicitor (Renewal)

Agency Fee: $250

Due: Annually

Original Ink: Not Required

Notarize: Not Required

Contract Filing

Agency Fee: $25

Due: File a solicitation notice at least 10 days prior to the start of each solicitation campaign.

Law: Alabama Code § 13A-9-71(i)

Notarize: Not Required

Financial Reporting

Form: Form BCO-165: 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.

Pennsylvania Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration

NOT REQUIRED

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

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

Pennsylvania Fundraising Registration Requirements

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