Solicitation of Contributions

The Solicitation of Contributions Act requires anyone who solicits donations from people in the state of Florida to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and renew annually. This applies to charitable organizations, sponsors, professional solicitors and professional fundraising consultants. FDACS collects registration fees and has authority to impose penalties for noncompliance.

Some exemptions apply. The following entities may use our online registration tool:

• Charitable Organizations (including Small Charitable/Sponsor Organizations and Charitable/Sponsor Organizations),
• Professional Solicitors
• and Professional Fundraising Consultants.

Solicitor Individuals are currently not able to use our online registration tool.

Small Charitable Organizations/Sponsors

Charitable organizations and sponsors that meet the following requirements are eligible to fill out the Small Charitable Organizations/Sponsors Application[ ] and complete the Solicitation of Contributions Annual Financial Reporting Form[ ] in lieu of registration:

• The charitable organization or sponsor has less than $25,000 in total revenue (including contributions) during the immediately preceding fiscal year.
• The fundraising activities of the charitable organization or sponsor are carried on by volunteers, members or officers who are not compensated and no part of the assets or income of the organization or sponsor inures to the benefit of or is paid to any officer or member of the charitable organization or sponsor.
• The charitable organization or sponsor does not use a professional fundraising consultant, professional solicitor or commercial co-venturer.

Small organizations are not required to pay a registration fee.

Note: If a charitable organization or sponsor that has registered as a small charity/sponsor has at any time during its fiscal year generated total revenue equal to or in excess of $25,000, compensated any officer or employee or utilized a professional fundraising consultant, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer, the small charity designation is void. The charitable organization or sponsor must then register with FDACS as required by Section 496.405, Florida Statutes (F.S.), within 30 days after the date any of the aforementioned changes occur.

Every charitable organization or sponsor that is required to register under Section 496.405, F.S., or is exempt under Section 496.406(1)(d) must conspicuously display the following statement on every solicitation, confirmation, receipt or reminder of a contribution: “A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” The statement must include a toll-free number and website for the division that can be used to obtain the registration information. When the solicitation consists of more than one piece, the statement must be displayed prominently in the solicitation materials. If the solicitation occurs on a website, the statement must be conspicuously displayed on any webpage that identifies a mailing address where contributions are to be sent, identifies a telephone number to call to process contributions, or provides for online processing of contributions. 

It is not required to post the disclosure statement on every page of a website. FDACS's toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352).

Frequently Asked Questions

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