Washington State Fundraising Registration
Resources for charities, businesses, professional fundraisers, and individuals conducting fundraising activities
Washington 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 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 Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: Washington Secretary of State - Charities Program
Law: Washington Revised Code Annotated §19.09.020 and following; Washington Administrative Code §434-120-100 through 434-120-175
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? No
Automatic Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations:
Law: RCW 19.09.020 and RCW 19.09.081
Notes: Exempt organizations can elect to file an Optional Registration for Charitable Organization application with the secretary of state.
Initial Registration
Form: Charitable Organization Registration / Renewal (Including the WA State Combined Fund Drive)
Instructions: Washington Charitable Organization Registration Instructions
Filing Method: Mail or Online
Agency Fee: $60 + optional $50 expedite fee for 2-3 business day processing.
Turnaround: 1 week
Notes:
- Before you Apply -
Domestic 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.
Foreign 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.
If you will foreign qualify in Washington, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
- How to Apply -
Domestic Applicants:
1. File entity formation documents with the Washington Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
2. Submit a Charitable Organization Registration form and all required attachments to the Washington Secretary of State - Charities Program.
Foreign Applicants:
1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Washington. If not required, skip to number 3.
2. File foreign qualification documents with the Washington Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
3.Submit a Charitable Organization Registration form and all required attachments to the Washington Secretary of State - Charities Program.
- Required Attachments -
Registration Renewal
Form: Charitable Organization Registration / Renewal
Instructions: Washington Charitable Organization Registration Instructions
Filing Method: Mail or Online
Agency Fee: $40 + optional $50 expedite fee for 2-3 business day processing
Due:
Due Date Extension: No extensions are available for charitable registration due dates.
Penalties: There is a late fee of $50.
Notes:
Required Attachments:
Contract Filing
Form: Fundraising Service Contract Registration
Agency Fee: $20
Due: Before a charitable organization may contract with a commercial fund-raiser for any fund-raising service or activity, the charitable organization and commercial fund-raiser shall complete and file a registration form with the secretary. The registration must be filed by the charitable organization on the form approved by the secretary.
Change of Fiscal Year
Form: Charitable Organization Amendment
Filing Method: Mail or online.
Agency Fee: $0 by mail or $20 online.
Turnaround: 1-2 business days
Cancellation
Form: Charitable Organization Closure
Agency Fee: $0
Notes: To close out your registration, submit a closure application with the required attachments.
I’ve had great experiences with Labyrinth across two organizations, I definitely recommend their services!
Washington Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Washington.
Washington 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.
Washington Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Agency: Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Law: RCW § 48.38.010 through RCW § 48.38.075 and WAC § 284-38
Organization Age Requirement: 3 years of continuous existence immediately preceding licensure.
Minimum Unrestricted Cash or Cash Equivalent Requirement: $500,000
Audit Requirements: Audited financial statements are required within 9 months after the organization's fiscal year end.
Initial Registration
Form: Charitable Gift Annuity Application Packet
Agency Fee: $25
Notarize: Required
Notes: Approved organization must establish a separate reserve fund that follows the standards of RCW § 48.74.030.
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: Online
Agency Fee: $25 + $5 per annuity issued during the previous calendar year.
Due: Annually within 60 days of the organization's fiscal year end.
Notes: In addition to filing the annual report, charities must also submit a public inspection copy of their IRS form 990 within 15 days of its filing with the IRS.
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!!
Washington Commercial Fundraiser Registration
Commercial Fundraiser is any entity that for compensation or other consideration directly or indirectly solicits or receives contributions for or on behalf of any charitable organization or charitable purpose, or that is engaged in the business of, or represents to persons as independently engaged in the business of, soliciting or receiving contribution for such purposes. A commercial coventurer, fundraising counsel or consultant is not a commercial fundraiser.
Agency: Washington Secretary of State - Charities Program
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: Yes
Bond Requirements: $25,000
Initial Registration
Form: Commercial Fundraiser Registration
Agency Fee: $300
Original Ink: Not required
Notarize: Not required
Before you Apply:
- In the Solicitation Report the accounting year and all financial fields must be completed. If there is no financial information to report for a specific line write “0” or a line through that field. If any financial fields are left blank, the filing will be returned.
- If the organization has not completed a full accounting year provide the first accounting year end date only and continue to section (13) Types of Solicitation.
Registration Renewal
Form: Commercial Fundraiser Renewal
Agency Fee: $225
Due: Annually
Original Ink: Not required
Notarize: Not required
Contract Filing
Form: Fundraising Service Contract Registration
Agency Fee: $20
Due: Before a charitable organization may contract with a commercial fund-raiser for any fund-raising service or activity, the charitable organization and commercial fund-raiser shall complete and file a registration form with the secretary. The registration must be filed by the charitable organization on the form approved by the secretary.
Washington Fundraising Counsel Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Fundraising Counsel licensure is not required on the State level in Washington.
Fundraising counsels are exempt from Washington's registration requirements.
Washington Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Washington Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Washington.
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 Washington.
Thank you, you truly are amazing! And frankly we would be lost in all of this if it wasn’t for you.
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