Florida Nonprofit Compliance

• Religious organizations
• Educational organizations
• Government entities
• Blood establishments as defined in FL Stat § 381.06014
• Membership organizations
• Political groups
• Appeals for individuals

Organizations must email the state to receive an exemption, but no registration is required.

Charities with less than $25,000 in total revenue during the preceding fiscal year and no professional solicitors

Small Charitable Organizations Application

$0

Charities with less than $25,000 in total revenue during the preceding fiscal year and no professional solicitors

Small Charitable Organizations Application (Renewal)

$0

Annually by the date of initial registration.

Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application

Mail or online

$10-400, depending on contributions received during the prior fiscal year ($0 if exempt)

2-3 weeks

• Notarized signature of the CFO or treasurer is required.
• Nonprofits who will solicit at Florida highway rest stops must obtain permission from their local Department of Transportation Maintenance Unit. Use Form #850-040-70, Permit Application for Public Use of Rest Areas, Wayside Parks and Solicitation on State Highways. Start by identifying local maintenance units at the Florida Department of Transportation Office of Maintenance.
• Some Florida counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

Domestic Applicants:

• Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
• If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
• 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.
• If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
• 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 Florida, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.

Domestic Applicants:

1. File formation documents to form an entity with the Florida Department of State.
2. Submit a completed Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application and all required attachments to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Florida. If not required, skip to number 3.
2. File foreign qualification documents with the Florida Department of State.
3. Submit a completed Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application and all required attachments to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services.

• IRS form 990
• Audited financials (if applicable)
• IRS determination letter
• List of officers and directors
• Professional fundraising contracts

Mail or online.

$10-400, depending on contributions received during the prior fiscal year

Annually by the registration anniversary date. Renewals may be filed up to 60 days prior to the expiration date.

Due dates can be extended for 180 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

There is a late fee of $25 for each month that passes after the due date.

• Renewal forms are sent in the mail about 30 days prior to the expiration date of the license.
• Carefully ensure you include all required attachments, including yoru annual financial report.

• IRS form 990
• Audited financials (if applicable)
• List of officers and directors
• Professional fundraising contracts
• IRS determination letter

$0

Charities must submit all contracts they have with professional solicitors, professional fundraising consultants, and commercial co-venturers during initial charitable registration and during renewal for their charitable registration.

$0

1-2 business days

Email the state to inform them of the change.

$0

To close out your registration, submit a letter stating that your organization no longer solicits in Florida along with documentation supporting this claim. The department will typically accept a disclaimer on the organization's donation page that they will not accept funds from residents of Florida.