Washington DC State Fundraising Registration

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

Washington DC 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.

Washington DC 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

Washington DC Charitable Organization Registration

Agency: Washington DC Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division

Law: District of Columbia Code Ann. § 44-1703

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: No

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? Yes

Registration to Obtain Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:

Charities that raise less than $25,000 in contributions per calendar year provided that all functions, including fundraising functions, are carried on by individuals who are unpaid and that no part of the contributions shall insure to the benefit of any officer, member, or solicitor.

Religious institutions

Membership organizations

Entities making solicitations solely for the American National Red Cross

Filing Method: Online

Agency Fee: $0

Law: District of Columbia Code Ann. § 44-1703

Renewal to Obtain Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:

Religious institutions

Membership organizations

Entities making solicitations solely for the American National Red Cross

Filing Method: Online

Agency Fee: $0

Due: Biennially by the end of the month prior to your registration month. If you registered for the first time in September, your report will be due by the end of August two years later

Law: District of Columbia Code Ann. § 44-1703

Initial Registration

Form: Charitable Organization Registration Form

Filing Method: Online

Agency Fee: $412.50

Turnaround: 2 - 3 weeks

Notes:

President and CFO or another authorized officer must sign.

Some District of Columbia 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.

Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

- How to Apply -

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the D.C. Secretary of State.

2. Submit the online form or Charitable Organization Registration Form and all required attachments to apply for registration with the D.C. Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division.

Foreign Applicants:

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

2. File foreign qualification documents with the D.C. Secretary of State.

3. Submit the online form or Charitable Organization Registration Form and all required attachments to apply for registration with the D.C. Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division.

- 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 determination letter

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

Filing Method: Online

Agency Fee: $412.50

Due:

Renewal is due annually within 90 days after the close or your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then the report is due March 31.

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 180 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

Notes:

The CFO and the president / other authorized officer must sign.

The organization must also notify the Attorney General throughout the year within 90 days of any change in the information.

Required Attachments:

Either IRS form 990 or audited financials

Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Cancellation

Form: Online

Agency Fee: $0

Notes: To close out your registration, submit a BBL cancellation request form online.

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

Killjan Anderson – USA BASKETBALL

District of Columbia Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.
District of Columbia 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

District of Columbia Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.
The District of Columbia does not distinguish between annuities issued by charitable and for-profit entities.

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

District of Columbia Professional Fundraiser Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Professional Fundraiser licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.
District of Columbia does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for professional fundraisers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.

District of Columbia Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration

NOT REQUIRED

Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.
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 District of Columbia.

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

Washington DC Fundraising Registration Requirements

Washington DC State Fundraising Registration

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

Washington DC 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.

Washington DC 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