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:
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:
- Before you Apply -
All Applicants:
- 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 -
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:
Due Date Extension: No extensions are available for charitable registration due dates.
Notes:
Required Attachments:
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!
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.
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!!
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:
Required Attachments:
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.
Learn about fundraising in other jurisdictions:
D.C. |
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