Fundraising Out of State

If your organization solicits donations, make sure they are registered with your state's office of the Attorney General, division of public charities. If your organization solicits donations from individuals who reside outside your organization's domicile, make sure that the organization registers with each state in which it solicits donations. The National Association of Charity Officials (NASCO) states that "organizations that specifically focus solicitations in particular states should be required to register; file the applicable documents; and, where applicable, pay registration and annual fees in those states. Organizations that regularly receive substantial contributions from a particular state, even if solicitation is not specifically targeting that state, should also be required to register within that state." Don't put this off. It is as important as filing your form 990 with the IRS.