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Washington State Office Of The Secretary Of State At Public Information Office

Community Resource

Serves: Olympia, Thurston County

About this resource

This program keeps a record of individuals, organizations, and commercial fundraisers that seek charitable donations from the public.

Intake Procedure: Reach out to the office via phone, email, fax, or postal mail to obtain the necessary forms and information about the registration procedure. Some forms can be accessed online. For inquiries related to specific charitable organizations, please contact the office directly.

Fees: To be eligible to solicit contributions in Washington state, applicants must submit the required registration forms and fees unless they qualify for an exemption. The registration fees vary.

Who can use this

Most charities are required to register, but certain activities are exempt from state registration in Washington. Organizations that do not need to register include those raising under $50,000 from the public in a year where all activities, including fundraising, are performed by unpaid individuals; churches eligible for tax-exempt status from the IRS; political organizations; and fundraising for specific individuals, provided all proceeds go to that individual. Exempt organizations are encouraged to submit an "Optional Registration" to the Charities Program, allowing the Secretary of State's office to assist with inquiries.

Answer a few questions to see if you qualify →