Non-profit in California
Asked by: Bridgett - 3 February, 2012
We are starting a non-profit corporation. We will be seeking donations via mail and internet. The location will be California.

Answered by: Mary Dubitsky - 3 February, 2012
Bridgett,
Soliciting donations via a website means that anyone in any state can donate to your charity. Simply having a ???donate here??? button on your website is viewed as a charitable solicitation in many states.
Some states may not aggressively enforce the registration of this type of solicitation, but it is not safe to take that risk. You will need to obtain charitable solicitation licenses in the 40 or so states that require them. You may also need to register your charity with the secretary of state in some of those states.
We can help you file these initial registrations and navigate this tricky field.

Soliciting donations via a website means that anyone in any state can donate to your charity. Simply having a ???donate here??? button on your website is viewed as a charitable solicitation in many states.
Some states may not aggressively enforce the registration of this type of solicitation, but it is not safe to take that risk. You will need to obtain charitable solicitation licenses in the 40 or so states that require them. You may also need to register your charity with the secretary of state in some of those states.
We can help you file these initial registrations and navigate this tricky field.