Wisconsin State Fundraising Registration
Resources for charities, businesses, professional fundraisers, and individuals conducting fundraising activities
Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) - Division of Corporate and Consumer Services - Charitable Organizations and Fund Raisers Section
Law: Wisconsin Statutes Ch.202; Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter RL 5
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? No
Automatic Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations:
- A person that is exempt from filing a federal annual information return under section 6033 (a) (3) (A) (i) and (iii) and (C) (i) of the Internal Revenue Code
- A candidate for national, state, or local office or a political party or other committee or group required to file financial information with the federal elections commission or a filing officer under s.11.0102 (1)
- Charitable organizations which do not intend to raise or actually receive contributions in excess of $25,000 during a fiscal year and all of their functions are performed by volunteers and no assets or income are paid to any officer or member of the charitable organization
- A fraternal, civic, benevolent, patriotic, or social organization that solicits contributions solely from its membership
- If a charitable organization would otherwise be exempt under par. (a) 3., but if it raises or receives more than $25,000, it shall, within 30 days after the date on which its contributions exceed this amount, register as required under sub. (1).
- A veterans organization incorporated under ch. 188 or chartered under federal law or the service foundation of such an organization recognized in the bylaws of the organization
- A nonprofit, postsecondary educational institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency or association approved under 20 USC 1099b, or an educational institution and its authorized charitable foundations that solicit contributions only from its students and their families, alumni, faculty, trustees, corporations, foundations, and patients
- A person soliciting contributions for the relief of a named individual if all contributions, without any deductions, are given to the named individual
- A state agency, as defined in s. 20.001 (1), or a local governmental unit, as defined in s. 605.01 (1)
- A private school, as defined in s. 118.165
- Any corporation established by an act of the United States Congress that is required by federal law to submit to Congress annual reports, fully audited by the United States Department of Defense
Law: WI Stat § 202.12(5)
Initial Registration
Form: Form 296: Charitable Organization Registration Application
Filing Method: Mail
Agency Fee: $15
Turnaround: 4 - 6 weeks
Notes:
- Before you Apply -
Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
- How to Apply -
Domestic Applicants:
1. File entity formation documents with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) - Corporation Section.
2. Submit a Charitable Organization Registration Application and all required attachments to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Division of Banking.
Foreign Applicants:
1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Wisconsin. If not required, skip to number 3.
2. File foreign qualification documents with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) - Corporation Section.
3. Submit a Charitable Organization Registration Application and all required attachments to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - Division of Banking.
- Required Attachments -
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: Online
Agency Fee: $54
Due:
Due Date Extension:
Wisconsin does not grant extensions for charitable organization registration.
Notes:
Required Attachments:
Change of Fiscal Year
Agency Fee: $0
Turnaround: 1-2 business days
Notes: Submit the short year financials during the standard renewal process.
Cancellation
Agency Fee: $0
Notes: To close out your registration, send a letter including the charity name, FEIN, date of closure, and reason for closure in writing.
I’ve had great experiences with Labyrinth across two organizations, I definitely recommend their services!
Wisconsin Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Wisconsin.
No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities.
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!!
Wisconsin Professional Fundraiser Registration
Agency: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) - Division of Corporate and Consumer Services - Charitable Organizations and Fund Raisers Section
Bond Requirements: $5,000 for fundraisers that do not have custody of contributions and $20,000 for fundraisers that do have custody of contributions.
Initial Registration
Form: Form 294: Application for Registration as a Professional Fund-Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel
Agency Fee: $50
Original Ink: Not Required
Notarize: Not Required
Required Attachments:
Registration Renewal
Form: Form 294: Application for Registration as a Professional Fund-Raiser or Fund-Raising Counsel (Renewal)
Agency Fee: $107
Due: Annually by August 31.
Original Ink: Not Required
Notarize: Not Required
Contract Filing
Form: Form 1941: Professional Fund-Raiser Solicitation Notice
Agency Fee: $0
Due: File a solicitation notice prior to the start of the performance of a contract with a charity.
Financial Reporting
Agency Fee: $0
Due:Within 90 days after the close of a fundraising contract and by the anniversary of the signing of a contract lasting more than 1 year.
Notes:A final accounting of each fundraising event should be kept for 3 years and presented upon request.
Wisconsin Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
NOT REQUIRED
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Wisconsin.
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 Wisconsin.
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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