Charity Registration For A Nonprofit Organization In Illinois
INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER YOUR NONPROFIT BEFORE SOLICITING IN ILLINOIS
Do I have to register my nonprofit as a charity in Illinois?
According to the Solicitation for Charity Act, any organization which collects funds for charitable purposes in Illinois must first register with the Charity Bureau of the Attorney General’s Office by filing the registration forms, the required attachments, and paying the registration fee.
How do I register my nonprofit with the Illinois Attorney General?
File the completed Form CO-1, Charitable Organization Registration Statement, and Form CO-2, Charitable Organization Financial Information Form, by mail or in person. Include copies of your articles of incorporation, your nonprofit bylaws and an IRS exemption letter if the organization has received one. The president and chief financial officer must sign the registration. The forms and instructions are found at the Attorney General’s web site or in your client account if you hire ‘Northwest.’
Are there annual renewal requirements for Illinois charities?
After you register as an Illinois nonprofit, file the Illinois Charitable Organization Annual Report, Form AG990-IL, along with the filing fee. The report is a detailed financial statement of the previous year’s activity and it is due each year, six months after the end of the charity’s fiscal year, typically June 30th. The annual report must be signed by an authorized officer and the chief financial officer. If the charity is required to file an IRS Form 990, attach a copy of that form to the report also.
What is the cost of Illinois charity registration and renewal?
Charity registration carries a $15 fee and the annual renewal has the same $15 filing fee.
Exemptions?
Religious corporations or organizations established for religious purposes are exempt from report filing. After the initial filing of a charity registration, the Attorney General will determine if the purpose of the organization qualifies it for a genuine report exemption. Learn more at Illinois Nonprofit Tax Exemptions.
How long does it take to process an Illinois charity registration statement?
Within approximately two weeks, the Attorney General’s Charity Bureau will examine the registration statement and attachments and determine if the registration requirements are met.
File Illinois Charitable Organization at:
Office of Illinois Attorney General
Charitable Trust Bureau
100 West Randolph Street, 11th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-3175
Phone: (312) 814-2595