January 24, 2017 | Read Time: 1 minute
In September, The Washington Post reported that the Donald J. Trump Foundation had never obtained certification to solicit donations in its home state of New York. Despite its lack of certification, the then-presidential candidate’s charity had been relying on outside contributions since 2008. This high-profile example represents an error all charities should seek to avoid.
Requirements to register charities and professional fundraisers vary from state to state, as do potential penalties for noncompliance. Tracy Boak, a lawyer with the firm Perlman & Perlman who specializes in nonprofit law and fundraising regulations, has developed answers to frequently asked questions about how to ensure your nonprofit meets state requirements.
For example, Ms. Boak, who has served on the board of the National Association of Attorneys General/National Association of State Charity Officials, notes that just three states have provisions in their laws that require nonprofits to register if they only accept donations via their website.
Download the answers to common questions below and read this Chronicle article for more information on how to avoid issues that plagued both major-party candidates’ charities during the presidential campaign.
