Steve Urich explains Georgia's charitable solicitation rules: nonprofits must register with the Secretary of State if they solicit donations from Georgia residents, even if based elsewhere. The $35 registration covers two years; organizations raising under $25,000 nationwide are exempt. Religious, educational, and political groups don't need to register.
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So, your nonprofit is looking to fundraise in Georgia. You might think that having your federal 501 status is like a golden ticket, right? Well, today we're going to unpack why that's not quite the full story and get into exactly what you need to know about Georgia's own specific registration requirements. Hey, before we jump in, just a quick note that this explainer is brought to you by Ironwood Registrations. It's part of our whole series on multistate fundraising compliance, where our goal is to make these really complex rules clear and, you know, actually practical for your organization. You know, it's a super common assumption: once you get that federal tax-exempt letter from the IRS, you're good to go and can fundraise anywhere. But that's just not how it works. See, most states have their own rulebook, and if your organization plans on asking for donations in Georgia, you've got to understand their regulations before you start. Alright, so here's our game plan for the next few minutes: we'll walk through exactly who needs to register in Georgia, what that process actually looks like, and some common exemptions that might apply to you. Then we'll cover renewals and wrap everything up by looking at how this fits into the bigger picture of fundraising in multiple states. Okay, let's get right into it. In Georgia, all charitable fundraising is regulated by the Secretary of State. This is the office that sets the rules of the road and basically makes sure organizations are being transparent with the public. So, and this is the key thing to remember, it really doesn't matter where your nonprofit is physically located. If you are asking people in Georgia for donations, these rules apply. That means organizations based in Georgia, those outside the state reaching in, and even situations where another company is fundraising for you. Now, you might be wondering what exactly counts as solicitation. Well, it's a really broad definition. It covers all the traditional stuff, like direct mail and fundraising dinners, but it also includes all our modern digital methods. Email campaigns, those "Donate Now" buttons on your website, and even fundraising on social media. Bottom line: if you're asking for money, it's almost certainly considered solicitation. Okay, so you've figured out you need to register. Let's get practical. What does the initial registration process actually involve? The good news is, Georgia keeps it pretty straightforward. It's really a 3-step dance. First, you gather your key documents. Second, you fill out the state's application. And third, you can submit it all either online or just by poppin' it in the mail. And when you look at the documents they ask for, it all starts to make sense. You'll need your IRS determination letter to prove your 501 status, your latest Form 990 to show your financials, and a list of your officers and directors. It's all designed to give the state of Georgia a really clear picture of your organization's health and how it's run. And here's a little bit of good news for your budget: the initial registration fee in Georgia is only $35. Which honestly makes it one of the most affordable states in the country to get registered in. But hold on a second, what if you don't have to register at all? Georgia, like a lot of other states, has several exemptions, so let's take a look at who might be able to skip this process. Think of it like this: on one side you have the general rule, which is pretty simple—if you solicit in Georgia, you register. But on the other side, you have these specific exceptions that are based on your organization's type, its financial size, and even how you fundraise. Okay, here's the most common exemption by far. If your organization raises less than $25,000 in total contributions for the year, you might be exempt. Now, this is super important. That number is based on your nationwide revenue, not just what you raise in Georgia. And to qualify, you also can't be using a paid solicitor. Beyond that financial threshold, there are also certain types of organizations that are exempt. This often includes many religious organizations, educational institutions like schools and colleges, political groups, and some membership organizations. And here's a really helpful tip. If you do qualify for an exemption in Georgia, you don't have to file any special paperwork to claim it. You just are exempt. So getting registered is step one. But what about keeping that registration active? Let's talk about how you stay in good standing for the long haul. Okay, now this is something really interesting about Georgia, and it's different from most other states. Instead of making you renew every single year, Georgia's registration is good for 2 years. Your renewal is due on the 2-year anniversary of when you first registered, which definitely simplifies things. The renewal fee is also really reasonable—it's just $20, and that keeps you registered for another 2 years. So when that renewal time comes around, you'll need to submit some updated info, like your latest IRS Form 990 and a heads-up on any changes to your board or officers. And hey, if your financials aren't quite ready by the deadline, you can usually request an extension. Okay, so we've got Georgia pretty well covered, but let's zoom out for a second. What happens when your fundraising efforts go beyond just one state? This is where the picture gets a lot bigger. Is that you? Is your organization fundraising in more than one state? If the answer is yes, then you've really gotta start thinking about compliance on a much bigger, national scale. And if there's one thing you take away from this entire explainer, let it be this: every single state is different. The rules we just went over for Georgia? They're unique to Georgia. You have to check the requirements for every single state where you ask for donations. You know, at the end of the day, it's easy to look at these rules as just red tape, but they're not really there to be a burden. They're designed to build public trust. When you register, you're basically showing donors in Georgia that your organization is serious about being transparent and accountable. Look, if all of this managing different rules for different states feels a little overwhelming, trust me, you are not alone. For expert help with your registrations in Georgia or all across the country, please visit us at ironwoodregistrations.com. You can learn more about how we help nonprofits stay compliant. Thanks so much for joining us.
