Find information for businesses about the Solicitation of Contributions Act.
Effective July 1, 2024, an organization or sponsor that had less than $50,000 in contributions during its immediately preceding fiscal year and whose fundraising and other activities are carried on by unpaid personnel is eligible to submit the Solicitation of Contributions Small Charitable Organizations/Sponsors Application [ Adobe PDF Document ], FDACS-10110, Rev. 11/21.
In addition, the financial extension language is updated by removing the 180-day extension, to allow organizations to follow the extensions granted by the IRS. To request an extension, you must submit a copy of the submitted IRS form 8868 titled Application for Extension of Time To File an Exempt Organization Return or Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans showing the time allowed. FDACS will grant an extension date that matches the date allowed by the IRS.
The Solicitation of Contributions Act requires anyone who solicits donations in or from Florida to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and to renew annually. This applies to charitable organizations, sponsors, professional solicitors, and professional fundraising consultants. FDACS collects registration fees and has the authority to impose penalties for noncompliance. Some exemptions apply.
Applicants are encouraged to use our online registration tool.
Charitable organizations and sponsors that meet the following requirements are eligible to fill out the Small Charitable Organizations/Sponsors Application [ Adobe PDF Document ] and complete the Solicitation of Contributions Annual Financial Reporting Form [ Adobe PDF Document ] in lieu of registration:
Small organizations are not required to pay a registration fee.
Note: If at any time during its fiscal year a charitable organization or sponsor that has filed with FDACS as a small charity/sponsor actually acquires total contributions equal to or in excess of $50,000, 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 the contributions reaches $50,000.
Persons involved in planning, conducting, or executing any solicitation or charitable or sponsor sales promotion are prohibited from commingling charitable contributions with noncharitable funds. This means that contributions should be kept in a separate account from funds that are not used or intended to be used for the operation of the charity or for charitable purposes. Additionally, documentation must be kept to show how contributions are used.
Every charitable organization or sponsor that is required to register under Section 496.405, F.S., or that is exempt under Section 496.406(1)(d), F.S., 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. The toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), and the website is FDACS.gov.
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. The disclosure statement is not required to be on every page of a website.
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