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During the holiday season, many Michiganders generously contribute their time, money, or other goods to charities that do important work in our communities. But we need to make sure we are donating wisely – and not lining the pockets of some scam artist.
The Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act, MCL 400.271 et seq., requires an organization to register if it solicits or receives contributions in Michigan.
The Solicitations Act also requires licensing and bonding for professional fundraisers before soliciting, planning, or carrying out a solicitation campaign in Michigan for a charitable organization.
The Solicitations Act exempts some organizations from registration. For exemption details, see MCL 400.283. For example, the Solicitations Act exempts organizations that raise funds exclusively using volunteers and receive less than $25,000 a year.
Other exemptions include certain educational institutions, certain hospitals, and unpaid solicitations for the benefit of individuals. If you believe your organization is exempt, confirm this with the Charitable Trust Section by submitting the CTS - 03 Request for Exemption Form (PDF).
If registering for the first time, submit the CTS - 01 Initial Solicitation Form (PDF) and all requested attachments:
Organizations that solicit in more than one state may file the Unified Registration Statement (URS) that is accepted by many states. When filing the URS, ensure appropriate responses to state-specific requirements, such as Michigan's resident agent requirement.
The charitable solicitation registration must be renewed annually.
The Dissolution Act provides that charitable purpose organizations, except for religious organizations, shall not be dissolved without obtaining approval from the Attorney General.
Efile forms to (1) initially register as a charity, (2) renew your registration, (3) request exemption from registration, or (4) submit your annual accounting statements, if you are only registered as a charitable trust. Efiling may result in expedited processing.
Note - this Efiling service is provided by a third-party vendor, which will also prepare and file your Form 990 with the IRS (there is a small fee for organizations with gross receipts over $100,000) at the time of submission - if you choose. If you have already prepared and filed your Form 990, you may simply enter your information from it and attach the form as a PDF. There is no fee for Efiling the Michigan forms.
If you have any technical questions regarding Efiling, you must direct them to the vendor. You may contact them via a link at the bottom of their webpage. The Charitable Trust Section cannot assist you with technical issues.
You may send any of the forms and documents by email.
Provide your organization/trust's name in the subject line of the email and, if already given to you, your Attorney General file number (this begins with a prefix CS, CT, PFR, PS etc. and can be found in the subject line of any correspondence from our office or on the registration or license issued by the office).
Be sure to save your form as a PDF before attaching to email.
Please print, sign, and mail the forms to:
Charitable Trust Section
P.O. Box 30214
Lansing, MI 48909-7714
525 West Ottawa Street
3rd Floor Williams Building
Lansing, MI 48933