Florida department of agriculture and consumer services address

FL Stat. § 496.405

• Religious organizations
• Educational organizations
• State agencies or other government entities or persons or organizations who solicit or act as professional fundraising consultants solely on behalf of those entities
• Blood establishments as defined in FL Stat § 381.06014
• Political contributions solicited in accordance with the election laws of Florida
• A person who is soliciting for a named individual, provided that all the contributions collected without any deductions whatsoever are turned over to the beneficiary for her or his use and provided that the person has complied with the requirements of s. 496.413
• A charitable organization or sponsor that limits solicitation of contributions to the membership of the charitable organization or sponsor. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “membership” does not include those persons who are granted a membership upon making a contribution as a result of a solicitation
• Any division, department, post, or chapter of a veterans’ service organization granted a federal charter under Title 36, United States Code

FL Stat. §§ 496.403, 496.406

Organizations must email the state to receive an exemption, but no registration is required.

A charitable organization or sponsor that has less than $25,000 in total revenue during a fiscal year if the fundraising activities of such organization or sponsor are carried on by volunteers, members, or officers who are not compensated and no part of the assets or income of such organization or sponsor inures to the benefit of or is paid to any officer or member of such organization or sponsor or to any professional fundraising consultant, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer.

Small Charitable Organizations Application

Mail or online.

$0

FL Stat. § 496.406

If a charitable organization or sponsor that has less than $25,000 in total revenue during a fiscal year actually acquires total revenue equal to or in excess of $25,000, the charitable organization or sponsor must register with the department as required by s. 496.405 within 30 days after the date the revenue reaches $25,000.

• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the individuals or officers who have responsibility for the final distribution of contributions
• One of the following:
  • IRS form 990 and all attached schedules
  • 990-EZ and Schedule O
  • Budget (new organizations only) 
  • FDACS-10122 Solicitation of Contributions Annual Financial Reporting Form

A charitable organization or sponsor that has less than $25,000 in total revenue during a fiscal year if the fundraising activities of such organization or sponsor are carried on by volunteers, members, or officers who are not compensated and no part of the assets or income of such organization or sponsor inures to the benefit of or is paid to any officer or member of such organization or sponsor or to any professional fundraising consultant, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer.

Small Charitable Organizations Application (Renewal)

Mail or online.

$0

Annually by the date of initial registration.

FL Stat. § 496.406

If a charitable organization or sponsor that has less than $25,000 in total revenue during a fiscal year actually acquires total revenue equal to or in excess of $25,000, the charitable organization or sponsor must register with the department as required by s. 496.405 within 30 days after the date the revenue reaches $25,000.

• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the individuals or officers who have responsibility for the final distribution of contributions
• One of the following:
  • IRS form 990 and all attached schedules
  • 990-EZ and Schedule O
  • Budget (new organizations only) 
  • FDACS-10122 Solicitation of Contributions Annual Financial Reporting Form

Solicitation of Contributions Registration Application

Mail or online.

Depends on amount of contributions received in the immediately preceding fiscal year:

• $10 for less than $5,000 in contributions
• $75 for $5,000 or more, but less than $100,000 in contributions
• $125 for $100,000 or more, but less than $200,000 in contributions
• $200 for $200,000 or more, but less than $500,000 in contributions
• $300 for $500,000 or more, but less than $1,000,000 in contributions
• $350 for $1,000,000 or more, but less than $10,000,000 in contributions
• $400 for $10,000,000 or more in contributions

2-3 weeks

• Nonprofits who will solicit at Florida highway rest stops must obtain permission from their local Department of Transportation Maintenance Unit. Use Form #850-040-70, Permit Application for Public Use of Rest Areas, Wayside Parks and Solicitation on State Highways. Start by identifying local maintenance units at the Florida Department of Transportation Office of Maintenance.
• Some Florida counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

Domestic Applicants:

• Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
• If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
• Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Foreign Applicants:

• Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
• If your charity meets the audit threshold, obtain an audited financial report to submit with your registration application.
• Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.
• If you will foreign qualify in Florida, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.

Domestic Applicants:

1. File formation documents to form an entity with the Florida Department of State.
2. Submit a completed Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application and all required attachments to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Florida. If not required, skip to number 3.
2. File foreign qualification documents with the Florida Department of State.
3. Submit a completed Charitable Organizations / Sponsors Registration Application and all required attachments to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services.

• List of officers and directors
• IRS determination letter
• One of the following:
  • IRS form 990 and all schedules
  • 990-EZ and Schedule O
  • Budget (newly formed organizations only)
  • FDACS-10122 Solicitation of Contributions Annual Financial Reporting Form
• Reviewed or audited financials (if applicable)
• Professional fundraising contracts

Solicitation of Contributions Registration Application (Renewal)

Mail or online.

Depends on amount of contributions received in the immediately preceding fiscal year:

• $10 for less than $5,000 in contributions
• $75 for $5,000 or more, but less than $100,000 in contributions
• $125 for $100,000 or more, but less than $200,000 in contributions
• $200 for $200,000 or more, but less than $500,000 in contributions
• $300 for $500,000 or more, but less than $1,000,000 in contributions
• $350 for $1,000,000 or more, but less than $10,000,000 in contributions
• $400 for $10,000,000 or more in contributions

Annually by the registration anniversary date. Renewals may be filed up to 60 days prior to the expiration date.

You may request a 180-day extension for filing the financial statement by checking the appropriate box on the renewal application.

There is a late fee of $25 for each month or portion of a month that passes after the due date.

• Renewal forms are sent in the mail about 30 days prior to the expiration date of the license.
• Carefully ensure you include all required attachments, including your annual financial report.

• List of officers and directors
• IRS determination letter
• One of the following:
  • IRS form 990 and all schedules
  • 990-EZ and Schedule O
  • Budget (newly formed organizations only)
  • FDACS-10122 Solicitation of Contributions Annual Financial Reporting Form
• Reviewed or audited financials (if applicable)
• Professional fundraising contracts

$0

Charities must submit all contracts they have with professional solicitors, professional fundraising consultants, and commercial co-venturers during initial charitable registration and during renewal for their charitable registration.

$0

1-2 business days

Within 10 days after the change occurs.

If your fiscal year changes, simply email the Division of Consumer Services to inform them of the change.

$0

To close out your registration, submit a letter stating that your organization no longer solicits in Florida along with documentation supporting this claim. The department will typically accept a disclaimer on the organization's donation page that they will not accept funds from residents of Florida.

$50,000

FL Stat. § 496.4101

FC, SS and SI Sample Material Change

$0

Licensed professional solicitor individuals must notify the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services within 10 days of any material changes in information which was submitted as a condition for license.

FL Stat. § 496.409

$0

Every contract or agreement between a professional fundraising consultant and a charitable organization or sponsor must be in writing, signed by two authorized officials of the charitable organization or sponsor, and filed by the professional fundraising consultant at least 5 days prior to the performance of any material service by the professional fundraising consultant.

FL Stat. § 496.409(4)

Contracts must contain all of the following provisions:

1. A statement of the charitable or sponsor purpose for which the solicitation campaign is being conducted.
2. A statement of the respective obligations of the professional fundraising consultant and the charitable organization or sponsor.
3. A clear statement of the fee that will be paid to the professional fundraising consultant.
4. The effective and termination dates.
5. A statement that the professional fundraising consultant will not, at any time, have control or custody of contributions.

FC, SS and SI Sample Material Change

$0

Professional Fundraising Consultants must report to the department any material change in the information filed, in writing, within 7 working days after the change occurs.

FL Stat. § 496.410

$50,000

Registration for Professional Solicitors

$300

• Provide the legal name of the organization exactly as it appears on the articles of incorporation or organizational document. If using a fictitious name (DBA) provide that name also. Names must match exactly what the state has on file. 
• Provide the physical street address for the principal place of business. Include suite, room, or unit numbers as necessary. Mail drops are not acceptable. 
• All officers, directors, trustees, and owners of professional solicitor organizations and all employees of a professional solicitor organization conducting telephonic solicitations during which a donor's or a potential donor's financial information is requested must obtain a solicitor license and be fingerprinted. 

• When listing indivdiuals on the form as directed, use the complete residential address for reach All documents and attachments are subject to public records. Exemptions may apply to certain employees upon your request for redaction. Exemptions may include (among others): 
  • Current or former law enforcement officers and their families
  • Current or former judges and their families
  • Current or former prosecutors and their families
  • Current or former firefighters and their faimilies
  • Current or former human resource managers and their families
  • Current or former code enforcement officers and their families
• Provide the name, date of birth, ID number and a copy of a valid government ID for each person in charge of solicitation activities
• Provide a list of all phone numbers used to solicit funds
• List whether written scripts, presentations or literature will be provided to donors to solicit contributions
• Disclose information about all instances of officers, directors, trustees, or persons with controlling interest, employees, or agents involved in solicitation who has been convicted of, plead guilty to, or nolo contendere to or have been incarcerated for a felony, has been involved in fraud, larceny, embezzlement,  crime arising from the conduct of a solicitation for a charitable organization or sponsor, or misappropriation of property, or violating any laws related to charitable solicitation within the last ten years.
• Provide information about all contracts with charitable organizations or sponsors soliciting contributions in the state of Florida
•  

• A copy of any contracts or agreements with charitable organizations or sponsors must be filed in conjunction with the application or at least 15 days prior to the campaign or event. 

• A bond in the amount of $50,000 is required

Renewal forms are sent in the mail 45 days prior to expiration.

$300

Annually

Notice of Commencement

$0

File a notice of commencement at least 15 days prior to the start of the contract.

FL Stat. § 496.410(7)

Contracts must contain all of the following provisions:

1. A statement of the charitable or sponsor purpose and program for which the solicitation campaign is being conducted.
2. A statement of the respective obligations of the professional solicitor and the charitable organization or sponsor.
3. A statement of the guaranteed minimum percentage of the gross receipts from contributions which will be remitted to the charitable organization or sponsor, if any, or, if the solicitation involves the sale of goods, services, or tickets to a fundraising event, the percentage of the purchase price which will be remitted to the charitable organization or sponsor, if any. Any stated percentage shall exclude any amount which the charitable organization or sponsor is to pay as fundraising costs.
4. A statement of the percentage of the gross revenue which the professional solicitor will be compensated. If the compensation of the professional solicitor is not contingent upon the number of contributions or the amount of revenue received, his or her compensation shall be expressed as a reasonable estimate of the percentage of the gross revenue, and the contract must clearly disclose the assumptions upon which the estimate is based. The stated assumptions must be based upon all of the relevant facts known to the professional solicitor regarding the solicitation to be conducted by the professional solicitor.
5. The effective and termination dates of the contract.

$0

Within 45 days after a campaign has ended and within 45 days of the anniversary of commencement for campaigns lasting more than a year.

Financial report forms are sent in the mail.

FC, SS and SI Sample Material Change

$0

Licensed professional solicitors must notify the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services within 7 days of any material changes in information which was filed with the department.