Washington Fundraising Licensing
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!
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- Washington Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Washington Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Washington Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Washington Charitable Gaming Licenses
Initial Registration
Agency: | Washington State Gambling Commission |
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | |
Notes: | Washington allows charities to conduct a number of gaming activities for charitable purposes. |
Registration Renewal
Agency: | Washington State Gambling Commission |
Form: | Form GC4-055: Application - Annual Renewal - Non-Profit Organization |
Agency Fee: | |
Due: | Annually |
Washington Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $25 |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Notes: | Approved organization must establish a separate reserve fund that follows the standards of RCW § 48.74.030. |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $25 + $5 per annuity issued during the previous calendar year. |
Due: | Annually within 60 days of the organization's fiscal year end. |
Notes: | In addition to filing the annual report, charities must also submit a public inspection copy of their IRS form 990 within 15 days of its filing with the IRS. |
Washington Charitable Organization Registration
Agency: | Washington Secretary of State - Corporations and Charities Division |
Law: | Washington Revised Code Annotated § 19.09.010 et seq.; Washington Administrative Code § 434-120-100 - § 434-120-185 |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Automatic Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Law: | |
Notes: | Exempt organizations can elect to file an Optional Registration for Charitable Organization application with the secretary of state. |
Registration to Obtain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | Charities that qualify for an exemption may, but are not required to, file an optional registration application. |
Required Attachments: |
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Renewal to Maintain Exemption
Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: |
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Due Date Extension: | No extensions are available for optional charitable registration due dates. |
Required Attachments: |
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Initial Registration
Instructions: | Washington Charitable Organization Registration Instructions |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $60 + optional $100 expedite fee for 2-3 business day processing. |
Turnaround: | 1 week |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Notes: |
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Before you Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Instructions: | Washington Charitable Organization Registration Instructions |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $40 + optional $100 expedite fee for 2-3 business day processing |
Due: |
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Due Date Extension: | No extensions are available for charitable registration due dates. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Penalties: | There is a late fee of $50. |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Contract Filing
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Due: | Before a charitable organization may contract with a commercial fund-raiser for any fund-raising service or activity, the charitable organization and commercial fund-raiser shall complete and file a registration form with the secretary. The registration must be filed by the charitable organization on the form approved by the secretary. |
Reinstatement
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $110 re-registration fee + $50 late fee for each year not registered |
Penalties: | Charities suspected of violating Washington Chapter 19.09 are subject to an investigation by the Attorney General who may:
The Secretary of State may assess civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Any violation of this chapter is considered a violation of the Consumer Protection Act and considered an unfair and deceptive act in trade and commerce and an unfair method of competition. Knowingly violating or giving false or incorrect information in any filings required by this chapter is a gross misdemeanor. Violating or giving false or incorrect information is a misdemeanor. |
Notes: | Charities who do not renew their registration on time will become delinquent and have one month to submit the late filing. Organizations that do not submit late filings during the delinquent period will become involuntarily closed and need to complete the re-registration process and pay the applicable fees (re-registration fee + late fee for each year not registered). Charities who have been involuntarily closed for beyond 6 years will need to submit a new registration and a new registration number will be issued. |
Required Attachments: |
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Change of Fiscal Year
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Turnaround: | 1-2 business days |
Cancelation
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: |
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Washington Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Washington.
Washington does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.
Commercial Fundraiser is any entity that for compensation or other consideration directly or indirectly solicits or receives contributions for or on behalf of any charitable organization or charitable purpose, or that is engaged in the business of, or represents to persons as independently engaged in the business of, soliciting or receiving contribution for such purposes. A commercial coventurer, fundraising counsel or consultant is not a commercial fundraiser.
Washington Commercial Fundraiser Registration
Agency: | Washington Secretary of State - Corporations and Charities Division |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Before you Apply: |
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Registration Renewal
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $225 |
Due: | Annually by the end of the 11th month following the entity's fiscal year end. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarization Required?: | Not required |
Contract Filing
Instructions: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Due: | Before a charitable organization may contract with a commercial fund-raiser for any fund-raising service or activity, the charitable organization and commercial fund-raiser shall complete and file a registration form with the secretary. The registration must be filed by the charitable organization on the form approved by the secretary. |
Washington Fundraising Counsel Registration
Not required
Fundraising Counsel licensure is not required on the State level in Washington.
Fundraising counsels are exempt from Washington's registration requirements.
Individual Licenses
Washington Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Washington Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Washington.
Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Washington.