When Fundraising Crosses State Lines: A Guide for Nonprofits

Date Submitted: November 12, 2026

Key Takeaways

A nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) status does not automatically cover state fundraising requirements.

About 36 states + Washington, D.C. require you to register before soliciting contributions from their residents.

The real trigger isn’t your home state – it’s where you’re actively asking for gifts (especially online).

A general “Donate” page can be fine nationwide, but targeted ads or campaigns aimed at one state can create new registration requirements.

Online fundraising follows the Charleston Principles: if you’re specifically targeting a state or getting repeated contributions there, registration may be needed.

Many states also require renewals and financial reports – and these rules can differ for nonprofits with international headquarters.

If your nonprofit asks for donations in more than one state, you may have extra registration rules to follow.

These rules are set mostly by the states. In many places, nonprofits must register before asking residents for donations.

This matters even more with online fundraising, because emails, ads, events, and donation pages can reach people far beyond your home state.

How State Fundraising Registration Works

Charitable solicitation means asking people to give money or other assets to support a charitable purpose.

In many states, a nonprofit must register before asking residents for donations.

This can include:

Direct mail
Email campaigns
Fundraising events
Advertising
Phone calls
Digital campaigns
Website fundraising

The rules are different in each state. Some require registration before fundraising starts. Others have exemptions, different filing rules, or extra reporting requirements.

About 40 states have charitable solicitation laws.

California is one example. An out-of-state nonprofit may need to register if it actively asks California residents for donations through mail, advertising, or other targeted fundraising.

Before fundraising in another state, check whether registration is required and whether your nonprofit qualifies for an exemption.

For a state-by-state overview, see NASCO’s State Charities Registration Survey.

What About Online Fundraising?

Online fundraising can reach people in many states.

You may need to register if your nonprofit runs campaigns aimed at people in a specific state or starts receiving regular donations from that state.

The Charleston Principles give guidance on this. They look at things like:

For example, a campaign created for California donors is different from a one-time donation that happens to come from California.

The Charleston Principles are guidance only. Each state can still have its own rules.

State-by-State Differences and Exemptions

Because the rules vary, check the states where your nonprofit is actively fundraising.

NASCO’s State Charities Registration Survey (updated October 2026) is a useful place to start. It covers:

Some states make exceptions for certain nonprofits, while others have extra rules when you use a professional fundraiser.

Always check the current rules for the states you plan to target.

Renewals, Reporting and Ongoing Compliance

For many organizations, registration is followed by renewal and reporting requirements.

The IRS guidance on periodic state reporting explains that many states require charities soliciting contributions from the public to file financial reports.

Some states accept Form 990 for all or part of this requirement, while others may ask for additional forms or information.

A simple tracking system can help:

Registration status → renewal dates → reporting requirements → changes in fundraising activity

What Nonprofits Should Review Now

With that framework in place, the practical review is fairly straightforward.

Start with where and how your organization currently asks for donations.

Map your fundraising activity: Identify the states you intentionally target through email, advertising, events, direct mail, or other campaigns.
Review your online presence: Look at whether your website is simply available nationwide or whether campaigns actively target particular states.
Check current registrations: Confirm that registrations, renewals, and required reports are up to date.
Plan for the future: When preparing a new campaign, always ask: “Which states will this reach?” Add registration review to your pre-launch checklist.

What This Means in Practice

Fundraising across state lines comes down to three questions every campaign should answer:

Getting these answers right lets your organization grow confidently – without surprise fines, lost donations, or lost donor trust.

Quick Risk Reminder

Miss this, and you could face late fees, cease-and-desist orders, or even payment processor blocks. Many organizations discover compliance issues only when foundations or donors ask for proof.

Primary Sources

Note: State charitable solicitation requirements and fees change frequently. When a particular state matters to a fundraising campaign, always check that state regulator’s current guidance before soliciting contributions there. This guide is for informational purposes only and not legal advice.