Tennessee Non-Profit Charity Registration
REGISTER YOUR NON-PROFIT AS A CHARITY IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
Is it required of non-profit organizations to register before soliciting?
Yes. Tennessee‘s Charitable Solicitations Act requires that charitable organizations register with the Charitable Solicitations Division.
What is considered a “charitable organization” in Tennessee?
According to the Tennessee secretary of state website a charitable organization is “a benevolent, educational, voluntary health, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, religious or eleemosynary organization, or for the benefit of law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or other persons who protect the public safety, or any person who solicits or obtains contributions solicited from the public for charitable purposes.”
Are any organizations exempt from registration?
Certain religious and educational organizations, volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, political parties, hospitals, and organizations that do not raise more than $30,000 in a fiscal year. If your organization does not raise or intended to raise more than $30,000 in a fiscal year you must file an Exemption Request form.
How do I register my TN non-profit?
You will need to file an Application for Registration of a Charitable Organization. With this you will need to include the Charter or other organizing documents and (if you have one) the Letter of Determination from the IRS stating your tax-exempt status. If your Tennessee non-profit has completed an accounting year, you must file also file a Summary of Financial Activities form, an IRS Form 990 (if applicable), and an audited financial statement if revenues exceed $500,000.
Is there an initial filing fee?
Yes, it is $50.
Where do I send the Application for Registration?
Secretary of State
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 8th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Do I need to renew my registration on a yearly basis?
Yes. You will do this by filing an Application to Renew Registration of a Charitable Organization form and sending it to:
Secretary of State
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 8th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Is there an annual filing fee?
Yes, and it is dependent on your Tennessee non-profit‘s gross revenue:
- $0-$48,999.99 — $100
- $49,000.00-$99,999.99 — $150
- $100,000.00-$249,999.99 — $200
- $250,000.00-$499,999.99 — $250
- $500,000.00 and above — $300
Tennessee charity forms and information:
TN Division of Charitable Solicitations
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Snodgrass Tower, 8th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-2555