Tennessee State Fundraising Registration
Resources for charities, businesses, professional fundraisers, and individuals conducting fundraising activities
Tennessee 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.
Tennessee 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
Tennessee Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming
Law: Tennessee Code Annotated §48-101-501 and following
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? No
Automatic Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations:
Registration to Obtain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: Charities with less than $50,000 in gross contributions during the preceding fiscal year
Form: Form SS-6042: Annual Request for $50,000 and Under Exemption
Agency Fee: $0
Notes: Charities must register within 30 days if they exceed $50,000 in contributions.
Renewal to Maintain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: Charities with less than $50,000 in gross contributions during the preceding fiscal year
Form: Form SS-6042: Annual Request for $50,000 and Under Exemption (Renewal)
Agency Fee: $0
Due: Annually within 6 months of the organization's fiscal year end.
Initial Registration
Form: Form SS-6001: Application for Registration of a Charitable Organization
Filing Method: Mail or Online
Agency Fee: $10
Turnaround: 1 month
Notes:
- Before you Apply -
Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
- How to Apply -
Domestic Applicants:
1. File entity formation documents with the Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Business Services.
2. Submit an Application for Registration of a Charitable Organization, a quarterly or annual summary of financial activites form, and all required attachments to the Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming.
Foreign Applicants:
1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Tennessee. If not required, skip to number 3.
2. File foreign qualification documents with the Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Business Services.
3. Submit an Application for Registration of a Charitable Organization, a quarterly or annual summary of financial activities form, and all required attachments to the Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming.
- Required Attachments -
Registration Renewal
Form: Form SS-6002: Application to Renew Registration of a Charitable Organization
Filing Method: Mail or Online
Agency Fee: $10
Due:
Due Date Extension:
Due dates can be extended for 150 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal. A copy of IRS form 8868 must be included when requesting an extension.
Notes:
Required Attachments:
Change of Fiscal Year
Agency Fee: $0
Turnaround: 1-2 business days
Notes: Send the state a copy of the short IRS 990 once it is available.
Cancellation
Form: Notice of Intent to Cease Solicitation Activity
Agency Fee: $0
Notes: To close out your registration, submit a Notice of Intent to Cease Solicitations, the most recently filed IRS form 990, and a brief letter of explanation.

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Tennessee Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Tennessee.
Tennessee 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.
Tennessee Fundraising Counsel Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Fundraising Counsel licensure is not required on the State level in Tennessee.
Tennessee no longer requires fundraising counsels to register.
More information: Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming

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.
Tennessee Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Agency: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Law: TN Code § 56-52-101 through TN Code § 56-52-111
Audit Requirements: The submitted financial statements must either be audited by an independent CPA or attested to by two officers of the company.
Initial Registration
Form: Charitable Gift Annuity Application Packet
Agency Fee: $675
Notarize: Required
Notes: Charities must maintain a separate reserve fund that contains either 110% of the reserves required by TN Code § 56-52-104(b) or the total amount of donations for outstanding charitable gift annuities.
Registration Renewal
Form: There is no renewal form, instead send a letter of intent to renew to the department along with the renewal fee.
Agency Fee: $100
Due:
Notes:

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Tennessee Professional Fundraiser Registration
Agency: Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming
Bond Requirements: $25,000
Initial Registration
Form: Form SS-6003: Application for Registration of a Professional Solicitor
Agency Fee: $10
Original Ink: Not Required
Notarize: Not Required
Before you Apply:
Required Attachments:
Registration Renewal
Form: Form SS-6003: Application for Registration of a Professional Solicitor (Renewal)
Agency Fee: $10
Due: Annually by December 31.
Contract Filing
Agency Fee: $0
Due: File a solicitation campaign notice before beginning a new campaign.
Financial Reporting
Form: Form SS-6022: Summary of Financial Activities for a Campaign
Agency Fee: $0
Due: Within 90 days after a campaign has ended and within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year for campaigns lasting more than a year.
Notarize: Required
Tennessee Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Tennessee.
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 Tennessee.

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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