Why we do it…

Not only is charitable registration the right thing to do; it is the law.

Nonprofit organizations are a crucial part of our society.  They provide help to the needy, funds for good causes, education for living skills, social and medical services, environmental advocacy and the list goes on.  Today, nonprofits face powerful accountability pressures.  There are approximately 45 states with laws governing charitable solicitations.  Failure to comply with these state laws can lead to fines, civil suites, and revocation of future fundraising privileges.

Clearly Compliant was formed by professionals experienced in nonprofit governance and philanthropy….we care about nonprofits and believe that increased transparency and accountability leads to increased public confidence and ultimately, increased generosity.  Clearly Compliant believes that all nonprofits, large or small, should have access to information to comply with state solicitation laws and should be able to afford the cost of compliance.  Clearly Compliant promises to boost your organization’s compliance confidence by:

  • Learning about your organization.  We want to make the registration process as simple as possible so you can concentrate on what is really important; your mission!
  • Completing a thorough assessment of your fundraising strategies to determine in which states charitable solicitation registration is required.
  • Completing the registration process, renewals, and extensions so you can have confidence in your nonprofit compliance OR provide the references for you to complete the registrations.
  • Keeping you informed and out of trouble!  We track all due dates and communicate all activities.
  • Keeping confidential information confidential.
    • Providing, at no cost, an e-newsletter with updated information regarding state laws, current news, and articles on best practices for the nonprofit world.

The Internal Revenue Service revised the form 990 in 2008, bringing charitable registration accountability for nonprofits up yet another notch.  The most current form is the 2009 990 which makes only minor changes to the 2008 form.

  • In Part IV, Section C, line 17, your organization must respond to the question, “List the states with which a copy this Form 990 must be filed.”
    • Visit http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990.pdf to read the direction.
    • Note this IRS Tip: Some states require or permit the filing of Form 990 to fulfill state exempt organization or charitable solicitation reporting requirements
  • For the 990-EZ, Part V, question 41 reads, “List the states with which a copy of this return is filed.”
  • Schedule G, Part I, question 3 asks you to, “List all states in which the organization is registered or licensed to solicit funds or has been notified it is exempt from registration or licensing.”

Bottom line: IT IS BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.