CHARITABLE SOLICITATION REGISTRATION
All charitable organizations that intend to solicit contributions within the Commonwealth of Virginia or have funds solicited on its behalf, unless exempt under the Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Law (VSOC), are required to file an initial registration statement prior to any solicitation. Registration is filed with the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP), which is responsible for the administration of the VSOC. Registration with OCRP does not imply endorsement of a public solicitation for contributions.
Registered Charitable Organization Database
Transparency is important for donors and organizations. Find a registered charitable organization or professional solicitor in Virginia now.
Search VDACS Evoke Database
Instructions to Register a Charitable Organization
Read registration instructions and additional information for charitable organizations.
Registration, Application and Payment Options
Organizations may register for charitable solicitation and submit payments through the following options:
Option 1: Online Registration and Payment
Registered organizations may access the online system using their registration code and submit applications and payments through the Evoke platform.
Option 2: Paper Registration and Payment
Mail your completed application and check (payable to " Treasurer of Virginia ") to:
Mailing Address:
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
P.O. Box 526
Richmond, VA 23218-0526
Note: All Charitable Solicitation Forms are located in the forms section.
Fees
| Forms | Initial Fee | Annual Fee |
Late /
Lapsed Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 100 Exempt Charitable/Civic Organization |
$10.00
|
n/a | n/a |
| Form 102 Charitable Organization | $100.00 | Variable, based on financial information | Late filers must file initial registration |
| Form 103 Professional Fundraising Counsel | $100.00 | $100.00 | n/a |
| Form 104 Professional Solicitor | $500.00 | $500.00 | $250.00 |
Definitions
Read all Solicitation of Contributions Definitions in accordance with the Code of Virginia.
- Charitable organization
- means any person that is or holds itself out to be organized or operated for any charitable purpose, or any person that solicits or obtains contributions solicited from the public. Charitable organization does not include (i) any church or convention or association of churches, primarily operated for nonsecular purposes and no part of the net income of which insures to the direct benefit of any individual; (ii) any political party as defined in § 24.2-101 or any political campaign committee or political action committee or other political committee required by state or federal law to file a report or statement of contributions and expenditures; or (iii) any authorized individual who solicits, by authority of such organization, solely on behalf of a registered or exempt charitable organization or on behalf of an organization excluded from the definition of charitable organization.
- Solicit and solicitation
-
mean the request or appeal, directly or indirectly,
for any contribution on the plea or representation
that such contribution will be used for a charitable
purpose, including, without limitation, the following
methods of requesting such contribution:
- Any oral or written request,
- Any announcement to the press, over the radio or television, or by telephone or telegraph concerning an appeal or campaign to which the public is requested to make a contribution for any charitable purpose connected therewith;
- The distribution, circulation, posting, or publishing of any handbill, written advertisement, or other publication that directly or by implication seeks to obtain public support; or
- The sale of, offer, or attempt to sell, any advertisement, advertising space, subscription, ticket, or any service or tangible item in connection with which any appeal is made for any charitable purpose or where the name of any charitable or civic organization is used or referred to in any such appeal as an inducement or reason for making any such sale, or when or where in connection with any such sale, any statement is made that the whole or any part of the proceeds from any such sale will be donated to any charitable purpose
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does my organization have to register?
- Every charitable organization (not required to be non-profit) that intends to solicit contributions within the Commonwealth, or have funds solicited on its behalf, must file an initial registration statement with the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP) prior to any solicitation, unless the organization falls under the exclusions listed in the definition of “charitable organization.”
- What if my organization’s financial statements are not going to be ready by our renewal date?
- If the organization’s financial statements are not going to be completed in time to file the renewal registration on or before the renewal date, the organization may request an extension of time to file. Missing the deadline without an extension leads to an organization being lapsed, and they must file an initial registration rather than renewal.
- How can a request for an extension be made?
- Email: OCARPUnit.VDACS@vdacs.virginia.gov
- Fax: 804-225-2666
-
Mail:
Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
102 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
The postmark must be on or before the renewal date. - Should we file on the Form 100 or the Form 102?
-
It is important for each organization to first review
the Form 100 to determine if the organization’s entire
activities fits under one of the exemption categories.
If the organization finds an exemption that it feels
qualified for, the organization should complete and
file the Form 100. If it is determined the
organization does not qualify for the exemption from
filing, the organization would then be required to
file using the Form 102.
If after reviewing the Form 100, the organization recognizes they do not qualify for any of the exemption categories, the organization should file the Form 102. - Does the registration to solicit have to be renewed?
- If the organization filed Form 100 and was granted an exemption to the filing requirements, the registration does not have to be renewed. If the organization filed on the Form 102, a yearly renewal is required.
An organization may request an extension by submitting a written request to the OCRP. The request for extension may be submitted by one of the following methods:
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
102 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Multiple State Charitable Solicitations
Are you a Charitable Organization Soliciting in Multiple States?
If your charitable organization is soliciting contributions in multiple states, you may utilize the Unified Registration Statement (URS) to register in Virginia and other states that accept the URS. For more information about the URS, please visit the National Association of State Charities Officials (NASCO) website.
Register Online: Evoke Platform
Learn how to register and submit payments online through Evoke. Instructions, video tutorials, and frequently asked questions are below.
How to Register and Submit Payments Online
Follow these steps to register and submit charitable solicitation applications and payments online using the Evoke system.
Step 1: Create a Charitable Solicitation Evoke Account
- Register for an Evoke account to access the online charitable solicitation system.
Step 2: Log in to the Charitable Solicitation Registration Application
- Sign in to the Charitable Solicitation Registration Application to Start an Initial Registration, track submissions, and submit payments securely online.
Note: If your organization is already registered, enter the registration code and choose the person or business/organization to Link to Entity and access your information.
Step 3: Select, Complete, and Submit the Appropriate Application
- Choose the correct charitable solicitation application type, complete all required information, and submit your application and payment online.
Evoke Tutorials
Video Guides for VDACS Evoke
Evoke Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I access the system?
- Registered organizations will receive instructions and a registration code to link to their information in the new system. New applicants may visit the site to register for an account, submit applications and pay fees. Third party filers should create an account and contact their registered organization for the corresponding registration code.
- How do I receive my registration code?
- Currently registered organizations will receive their registration code at the email address on file or by mail. The registration code should be shared with those needing access.
- Can I still submit paper forms?
- Yes, paper forms and payments are still accepted.
Charitable Solicitation Forms
Find downloadable forms and instructions for filing charitable solicitation registrations.
Professional Solicitor Registration Forms
- Professional Solicitor Registration (Form 104)
- Professional Solicitor Bond Template (Form 105)
- Solicitation Notice (Form 120)
- Consent to Solicit (Form 121)
- Professional Solicitor’s Final Accounting Report Late Fees (Form 130)
Laws & Rules
- Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Law
- Rules Governing the Solicitation of Contributions
- Model Ordinance for Use by Localities in Their Regulation of Charitable Solicitation
Charitable Solicitation Complaints
The OCRP investigates complaints where there is an alleged violation of the VSOC law by a charitable organization or its professional fundraiser while soliciting contributions in Virginia. Complaints may be submitted online or by mail.
Online Complaint
- Complete and File an Online Complaint, or
Mail Complaint
- Download, print and complete the Charitable Solicitation Complaint Form
-
Mail to:
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
Charitable Programs Unit
P.O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23218
Contact
If you have questions regarding your filing or registration
process, please contact:
OCARPUnit.VDACS@vdacs.virginia.gov.
Visit the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs directory.