Alabama Fundraising Licensing

Resources for charities, businesses, professional fundraisers, and individuals conducting charitable solicitation activities
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Below, you'll find licensing requirements for a range of fundraising activities. At a glance, you can see requirements, fees, filing instructions, and links to forms for everything from charitable gaming and cause marketing to professional fundraisers and charitable gift annuities.

Make sure your fundraising activities meet the unique requirements of each jurisdiction where you’re soliciting. Feel free to explore, bookmark, and share!

Alabama charitable solicitation license, Alabama fundraising license
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Company Licenses

Alabama Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses

Alabama Charitable Gaming License

Not required



Charitable Gaming licensure is not required on the State level in Alabama.

There is no state level licensing for games of chance in Alabama, however, many Alabama counties license charitable organizations for games of bingo.

Alabama Charitable Gift Annuity Registration

Agency:Alabama Securities Commission - Registration Division
Law:

AL Code § 8-6-10 and Securities Commission Administrative Code 830-X-6-.10

Initial Registration

Form:

Form U-4: Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer

Agency Fee:

$60 per agent.

Notes:

Individual agents who solicit on behalf of an organization should register using form U-4. The issuing organization must also submit form U-2 and various supporting documents.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$60

Due:

Annually

A Charitable Organization is any benevolent, philanthropic, or patriotic person, or one purporting to be such, consistent with the then-controlling definition provided in the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America, which solicits and collects funds for charitable purposes and includes each local, county, or area division within this state of the charitable organization; provided the local, county, or area division has authority and discretion to disburse funds or property otherwise than by transfer to any parent organization.

Alabama Charitable Organization Registration

Agency:Alabama Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division
Law:

Alabama Code § 13A-9-71

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • Charities that do not intent to solicit and receive and do not actually receive more than $25,000 in contributions during a fical year and do not use professional fundraisers
  • Educational institutions and their authorized and related foundations
  • Religious organizations
  • Political organizations
  • Fraternal, patriotic, benevolent, social, educational, alumni, health care foundation, historical, and civil rights organizations, including fraternities and sororities and any auxiliaries associated with any such organizations
  • Civic leagues and civic organizations which solicit contributions solely from their own membership
  • Appeals for individuals that raise $10,000 or less
  • Any charitable organization receiving an allocation from an incorporated community chest or united fund, provided the chest or fund is complying with this section relating to registration and filing of annual reports with the Attorney General, the charitable organization does not actually receive, in addition to an allocation, contributions in excess of $25,000 during the fiscal year, and all of the fundraising functions of the charitable organization are carried on by persons who are not paid for such services
  • A local post, camp, chapter, or similarly designated element, or a county unit of such elements of a bona fide veterans organization, which issues charters to local elements throughout this state, or a bona fide organization of volunteer firefighters, ambulance companies, or rescue squads, or a bona fide auxiliary or affiliate of such organizations, provided all of its fundraising activities are carried on by members of the organization, family members of the members of the organization, volunteers, or an affiliate of the organization and the members receive no compensation, directly or indirectly
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Law:

Alabama Code § 13A-9-71

Notes:

Exemptions do not expire as long as the organization continues to qualify under the exemption criteria.

Initial Registration

Form:

Charitable Organization Registration Form

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$25

Turnaround:

2-3 weeks

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:
  • One authorized officer must sign the registration. Alabama does not have a specific title requirement. 
  • Some Alabama counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.
Before you Apply:

All Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Alabama Secretary of State.
  2. Submit the online form or Charitable Organization Registration Form and all required attachments to apply for registration with the Alabama Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Alabama. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with the Alabama Secretary of State.
  3. Submit the online form or Charitable Organization Registration Form and all required attachments to apply for registration with the Alabama Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division.
Required Attachments:
  • Articles of incorporation or organization
  • A copy of any agreement of association, instrument of trust, constitution, or other organizational instrument
  • A copy of the bylaws adopted by the applicant
  • Organizational Charter
  • IRS determination letter
  • List of officers and directors including phone numbers and addresses
  • List of other states where the applicant is registered to solicit donations
  • Names and addresses of any professional fundraisers and commercial coventurers who are acting or have agreed to act on behalf of the applicant

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:
  • Annually within 90 days after the close of your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then the report is due March 31.
Due Date Extension:

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

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Penalties:

There are no late fees if a charity does not renew its registration. The Attorney General will mail the organization a 15-day notice of registration cancellation. The organization will have that period to cease solicitation and if the solicitation is ceased, then no penalties apply.

Notes:

One authorized officer must sign the renewal. Alabama does not require a specific title. 

Required Attachments:

  • Either IRS form 990 or audited financials
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Amendment

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

The organization must notify the Attorney General within 10 days of any change in the information required for registration.

Reinstatement

Not required



Formal reinstatement is not required. Charities who wish to renew a lapsed registration should submit a renewal filing along with the required financials, attachments, and fee(s) for each year not registered. 

Change of Fiscal Year

Filing Method:

Email to consumerinterest@alabamaag.gov

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

1-2 business days

Notes:

To update your fiscal year submit a letter to the Attorney General's office requesting the change. Make sure to include the full name of the charity and either the Alabama License number or your organization's FEIN. 

Cancelation

Form:

Charitable Organization Notice of Non Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

To close out your registration, submit a notice of non-renewal on the state's portal. It will require a reason for withdrawal and the date that solicitations will be discontinued. 

A Commercial Co-Venturer is any person who for profit or other commercial consideration conducts, promotes, underwrites, arranges, or sponsors a sale, performance, or event of any kind which is advertised, and which will benefit, to any extent, a charitable or religious organization. However, any such person who will benefit in good will only is not a commercial co-venturer if the collection and distribution of the proceeds of the sale, performance, or event are supervised and controlled by the benefiting charitable or religious organization.

Alabama Commercial Co-Venturer Registration

Agency:Alabama Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division
Law:

Alabama Code § 13A-9-70(h)

Bond Requirements:

$10,000

Notes:

Organizations cannot begin to fundraise until 15 days after a contract has been filed with the attorney general.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

2-3 business days

Bond Amount:

$10,000

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

1-3 business days

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Bond Amount:

$10,000

Contract Filing

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

File a copy of all contracts entered into with charitable organizations within 10 days after the beginning of the contract.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:

The charity must be registered to solicit charitable contributions or otherwise exempt for the contract to be accepted.

Contract Amendment

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

Changes to a filed contract should be made using the online system.

Financial Reporting

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

CCVs must file a closing statement within 90 days of the termination of a contract with a charitable organization.

Professional Fund Raisers plan, conduct, manage, or carry-on a drive or campaign for the purposes of soliciting charitable contributions in this state.

Alabama Professional Fundraiser Registration

Agency:Alabama Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division
Law:

Alabama Code § 13A-9-70(h)

Bond Requirements:

$10,000

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Required
Before you Apply:
  • Describe the terms under which the applicant will be compensated for its charitable solicitation activities, whether for monetary compensation or other consideration (advertising, gifts, etc).
  • Describe the type of solicitation programs that will be utilized by the applicant, e.g., personal contact, direct mail, radio, newspaper, television, internet, etc.
Required Attachments:
  • Provide a copy of any articles of incorporation or bylaws adopted by the applicant.
  • Provide a list of the names, residential addresses, dates of birth, driver license numbers, and the state where licensed of all owners, directors, and managers of the applicant.
  • Provide a list of the address and telephone number for each location in Alabama from which the applicant will solicit funds.
  • List the name, address, and telephone number of all banks, savings and loan associations, and all other such financial institutions in which the applicant will deposit the funds received, and identify the names in which the funds will be deposited. 
  • List the names, addresses, dates of birth, driver license numbers and the state where licensed for any persons who will solicit funds.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Contract Filing

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

File a copy of all contracts entered into with charitable organizations within 10 days after the beginning of the contract.

Law:

Alabama Code § 13A-9-71(i)

Financial Reporting

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

File a closing statement form within 90 days after the close of charitable organization contracts.

Individual Licenses

Alabama Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

A Professional Solicitor is any person who is employed or retained for compensation by a professional fund raiser to solicit contributions for charitable purposes in this state.

Alabama Professional Solicitor Registration

Agency:Alabama Attorney General - Consumer Interest Division

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Solicitor Registration Statement

Agency Fee:

$25

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Professional Solicitor Registration Statement (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
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