Key takeaways
- Charities register with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations on Form BCO-10, with fees from $15 to $250 based on contributions.
- Financial statements must be audited at $750,000 or more in contributions, and reviewed or audited from $250,000.
- Professional solicitors pay $250 a year, post a $25,000 bond and file a $25 solicitation notice with the contract at least 10 working days before each campaign.
- Callers must give the solicitor's name and that it is paid, and written follow-ups must carry the state's registration statement.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees, forms and rules change, so confirm current requirements with the state office listed below or with qualified counsel before a campaign.
Quick facts
| Item | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations |
| Charity registration | Form BCO-10, before any paid solicitation or within 30 days of passing $25,000 in contributions |
| Charity fee | $15 to $250 a year, based on contributions |
| Charity renewal | Annual; with the automatic extension, postmarked by the 15th day of the 11th month after fiscal year end |
| Professional solicitor | Registration (BCO-155), $250 a year, $25,000 bond |
| Before each campaign | Solicitation notice (BCO-170) with contract, $25, 10 working days ahead |
| After each campaign | Financial report within 90 days |
| Fund-raising counsel | Registration (BCO-150), $250 a year, no bond |
| Contact | (717) 783-1720 or (800) 732-0999 in Pennsylvania |
Charity registration
Charities must register on Form BCO-10 before any paid person solicits contributions for them, or within 30 days of receiving more than $25,000 in gross contributions. Exemptions include organizations that receive $25,000 or less a year and pay no one to solicit, educational institutions, hospitals and certain volunteer-run groups. The fee depends on gross annual contributions:
| Gross annual contributions | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | $15 |
| $25,001 to less than $100,000 | $100 |
| $100,000 to less than $500,000 | $150 |
| Greater than $500,000 | $250 |
Registration is renewed every year. With the Bureau's automatic extension, renewals must be postmarked by the 15th day of the 11th month after the fiscal year ends, and late filings cost $25 for each month or part of a month. Contributions of $750,000 or more require audited financial statements; $250,000 to under $750,000, a review or audit; and $100,000 to under $250,000, a compilation, review or audit.
Professional solicitors
A professional solicitor must:
- Register before soliciting, on Form BCO-155, with a $250 fee. Registration lasts one year and can be renewed.
- Post a $25,000 bond on Form BCO-160 at registration and each renewal.
- File a solicitation notice (Form BCO-170), with the contract and a $25 fee, at least 10 working days before each campaign, event or service. The notice lists each location and phone number the calls will come from and the people directing and doing the soliciting.
- Use a compliant contract, signed by two charity officials, stating the guaranteed minimum percentage of gross receipts for the charity. The charity may cancel within 10 days after signing without cost.
- Report within 90 days after each campaign on Form BCO-165, signed by the solicitor and two charity officials.
- Keep records during the campaign and for at least three years after.
Before asking for a gift by phone, the caller must give the solicitor's name as on file and say it is paid, the caller's legal name if a name is used, and the charity's registered name and how the money will be used. Written confirmations, receipts and reminders must repeat these disclosures and include the state's statement that registration information is available from the Department of State at 1 (800) 732-0999 and that registration does not imply endorsement.
Professional fundraising counsel
Professional fundraising counsel register on Form BCO-150 with a $250 annual fee and file their contracts at least 10 working days before providing services. The law sets no bond for counsel.
Working with an outside calling team in Pennsylvania
If you hire a paid firm to call supporters, make registration part of the plan from the start: confirm your own registration, check the firm's status with the state, and leave time for any notices or contract filings before calls begin. Kensington Fundraising Group walks every client through how state requirements will be handled before a campaign starts. See our overview of fundraising call rules for the federal rules that apply alongside state law.