Tennessee Charitable Registration Process — A Complete Guide
All organizations that plan on soliciting donations in Tennessee must comply with the Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Act by registering with the secretary of state first. The registration ensures transparency, accountability, and ethical fundraising practices, safeguarding both public trust and the integrity of charitable organizations.
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to navigating the Tennessee charitable registration process, from initial registration to ongoing renewal filings. We’ll also explore how Harbor Compliance can simplify the process and help organizations stay compliant with state regulations.
Which Charitable Organizations Are Exempt From Charitable Solicitation Registration in TN?
Under the Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Act, certain organizations are exempt from registering. These include:
- Bona fide religious organizations
- Schools and their affiliates
- Volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and local civil defense organizations
- Political parties, political candidates, and Political Action Committees (PACs)
- Hospitals and nursing homes
- Corporations established by an act of Congress that are required by federal law to submit detailed annual reports to Congress
- Charitable organizations that do not plan to solicit or receive, and do not actually raise or receive, more than $50,000 in gross contributions from the public during a fiscal year (Note: An exemption request must be filed annually to maintain this status)
Tennessee Charity Registration Process—Initial Filing
To register as a charitable organization in Tennessee, you need to submit the registration application along with your foundational documents, such as your charter. The form must be signed by two authorized officers, including the Chief Fiscal Officer. If you’ve already received a determination letter from the IRS confirming your tax-exempt status, you must include it as well.
If your charitable organization has completed a fiscal year, additional financial documentation is required, including:
- A summary of financial activities
- An IRS Form 990 (if applicable)
- An audited financial statement if your revenue exceeds $1 million total revenue (grants from government agencies and 501(c)(3) private foundations can be excluded from the calculation)
Once you’ve completed these requirements and gathered the necessary documents, follow these steps to start the registration process:
- Access the online initial registration application.
- Fill out the summary of your financial activities for the most recently completed accounting year (if your organization has completed one accounting year).
- Attach the public disclosure copy of Form 990 if you have one completed accounting year. In this case, you’ll also need to complete a quarterly financial report at the end of each quarter of its current fiscal year.
- Attach an audited financial statement if your organization grossed more than $1 million in revenue.
- Include a copy of governing documents (articles of incorporation and bylaws), an IRS determination letter granting tax-exempt status, professional fundraising contacts, and proof of DBA/fictitious business name filing in domicile state (if applicable).
- Pay the $10 filing fee with a credit card, e-check, or via mail, payable to the Tennessee secretary of state.
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Tennessee Charitable Registration Renewal
All registered charitable organizations in Tennessee must renew their registration by the last day of the sixth month after the accounting year ends. The renewal form must be signed by two authorized officers, one of whom must be the Chief Fiscal Officer.
To renew your charitable organization, follow these steps:
- Access the online renewal form.
- Complete the financial summary for the most recently completed fiscal year directly in the application form.
- Use the paper Summary of Financial Activities form for past fiscal years.
- Attach the public disclosure copy of IRS Form 990, 990EZ, or 990N for the most recent fiscal year, if applicable.
- If your revenue exceeds $1 million (excluding government and private foundation grants), submit an audited financial statement.
- Provide a copy of your IRS determination letter if not previously submitted. Include any amendments made to your governing documents, such as articles of incorporation or bylaws.
- Pay the renewal fee based on your gross revenue ($0 if it’s less than $50,000 and $10 if it’s more than that).
Self-Registering Your Tennessee Charitable Organization—Potential Pitfalls
Navigating charitable registration in Tennessee can be a complex and costly endeavor for charity organizations. Charities must not only understand how fundraising activities intersect with registration requirements but also complete detailed forms and manage filing fees.
The process can drain significant staff time and resources, and the burden doesn’t end with initial registration. Ongoing filings and renewals are required year-round, which adds to the challenge.
Partnering with a trusted compliance provider, such as Harbor Compliance, can relieve this strain.
Why You Should Outsource Your Tennessee Charitable Registration to Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance simplifies charitable registration and offers unmatched expertise in compliance management. With our experience handling tens of thousands of registrations annually, we help you solicit donations with confidence in Tennessee.
Since acquiring Labyrinth, Inc., the leading charitable registration provider in the U.S., we have handled over 60% of charitable registrations for organizations functioning in at least 38 states.
Our Charitable Registration Service helps you manage charitable registration and solicit donations via letters, phone calls, emails, social media, and grant applications. A dedicated registration specialist will manage all your filings, and with Power of Attorney, we can even sign applications on your behalf. We provide customized managed services for professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-ventures to address your specific requirements.
We also offer additional services that complement charitable registration, including:
- Tax Exemption—We help nonprofits secure state tax exemptions, reducing costs and minimizing administrative responsibilities.
- Registered Agent Service—As your registered agent, we ensure timely and secure management of all legal correspondence.
- Foreign Qualification Service—If you’re expanding into a new state, we will handle the entire process, from obtaining a certificate of good standing to ensuring your filings are approved.
How To Order Our Charitable Registration Service
If you’d like to have our team review your state’s charitable registration requirements, you can get in touch with us by following these steps:
- Visit the Charitable Registration Service page.
- Input details like your contact information, legal organization name, and business structure.
- Fill out the form and click Submit.
Want to understand the charitable registration process and the intricacies of compliance management? Download our free white papers: Charitable Solicitation Compliance and Charitable Registration - Navigating the Complexities.
Other Harbor Compliance’s Services
Charitable registration is only one part of our expertise. We provide a comprehensive range of services to help organizations meet regulatory requirements. Here are some of the additional solutions we offer:
| Service Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Document filing and retrieval | Drop-off filing Articles of reinstatement Certificate of good standing Certificate of Authority Certified copies |
| Entity lifecycle management | Name reservation DBA registration Amendments Initial and annual reports |
| Licensing support | General business licenses Industry-specific licenses, such as construction, engineering, and architecture |
| Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting | BOI reporting Records Manager |
| Nonprofit formation | Incorporation 501(c) tax exemption |
| Tax services | Payroll tax registration Sales and use tax registration Employer Identification Number (EIN) |
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Tennessee Charitable Registration FAQs
Below, you can find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about registering your charitable organization in Tennessee. For further details, visit our Information Center.
A charitable organization in Tennessee is required to renew its registration by the end of the sixth month following the conclusion of its fiscal year.
If your registration application is denied, you can revise and resubmit it, ensuring that any issues from the previous submission are addressed. If you believe the denial was made in error, you have the right to request a hearing.
This request must be made within seven days of receiving the denial notice. The hearing will be scheduled within seven days of your request, and a decision will be issued within three business days following the hearing.
Civil penalties of up to $5,000 may be imposed for each violation of the Charitable Solicitations Act. Additionally, anyone who willfully and knowingly violates any provision of the Act or provides false or incorrect information in statements or reports to the division may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation can result in a Class E felony charge.
The registration fee depends on the organization’s gross revenue. Fees range from $0 for organizations with less than $50,000 in revenue to $10 for organizations exceeding this threshold.
Enjoy Seamless TN Charitable Registration With Harbor Compliance
Completing Tennessee’s charitable registration process can be overwhelming, but with the right support, it’s much easier to navigate—and Harbor Compliance is here to simplify the process and provide expert assistance at every step.
Order our Charitable Registration Service and start focusing on advancing your organization’s mission while we handle the intricacies of state regulations. From initial registration to annual renewals, our team of specialists ensures you remain compliant, enabling you to confidently fundraise in Tennessee.
Not sure if your organization meets other regulatory requirements? Use our Harbor Compliance Score™ to assess its standing for FREE. If there are areas that need improvement, we can assist you through our various solutions. Reach out to inquire about additional services and schedule a free demo to explore our software.
Looking for information about other U.S. state’s charitable registration regulations and procedures? Find more guides below:
- Jump To:
- Tennessee Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Tennessee Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Tennessee Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Tennessee Charitable Gaming Licenses
Initial Registration
Tennessee Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $675 |
| Notarization Required?: | Required |
| Notes: | Charities must maintain a separate reserve fund that contains either 110% of the reserves required by TN Code § 56-52-104(b) or the total amount of donations for outstanding charitable gift annuities. |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | There is no renewal form, instead send a letter of intent to renew to the department along with the renewal fee. |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Due: | Annually by March 1. |
| Notes: | In addition to renewing the certificate of authority, charities should also submit an annual report within 90 days after the close of their fiscal year. |
Tennessee Charitable Organization Registration
| Agency: | Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming |
| Law: | |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Automatic Exemption
| Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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| Law: |
Registration to Obtain Exemption
| Exemption Eligible Organizations: | Charities with less than $50,000 in gross contributions during the preceding fiscal year & none of their fundraising activities were conducted by professional fundraisers, fundraising counsel, or commercial coventurers. |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Notes: | Charities must register within 30 days if they exceed $50,000 in contributions OR if any portion of their fundraising activities are conducted by professional solicitors, fundraising counsel, or commercial coventurers. |
Renewal to Maintain Exemption
| Exemption Eligible Organizations: | Charities with less than $50,000 in gross contributions during the preceding fiscal year |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Annually by the end of the 6th month after the close of your fiscal year. |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Turnaround: | 1 month |
| Original Ink: | Not Required |
| Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
| Notes: |
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| Before you Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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| How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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| Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Due: |
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| Due Date Extension: | Due dates can be extended for 90 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal. A second extension of 60 days is available, and charities must submit a copy of IRS form 8868 when requesting a second extension. |
| Original Ink: | Not Required |
| Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
| Penalties: |
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| Notes: |
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| Required Attachments: |
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Contract Filing
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail or Email |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Charities must submit a copy of the written contract between the organization and the commercial coventurer at least 5 days before the initiation of a charitable sales promotion |
Financial Reporting
State Disaster Excess Fund Placement Report
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Due by the last day of the 24th month following the commencement of solicitations |
| Notes: | Any charitable organization, other than a bona fide religious institution, that solicits and receives contributions exceeding $25,000 for a charitable purpose related to a disaster in this state and that does not expend all contributions received within 2 years of the commencement of solicitations shall file a report with both the secretary of state and the attorney general and reporter detailing both the timing and anticipated placement for the expenditures of the remaining funds. This report must be filed by the last day of the twenty-fourth month following the commencement of solicitations. A charitable organization may request an exemption from the requirements of this subsection (c) from the secretary of state and the attorney general and reporter; however, both the secretary of state and the attorney general and reporter must first approve the request. |
Financial Reporting
Quarterly Financial Report
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Within 30 days after the end of each quarter of the organization's current fiscal year. |
| Notes: |
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Reinstatement
Not required
Charities do not need to complete a formal reinstatement. To renew a lapsed registration, a single renewal filing must be submitted, along with financial reports for each year the charity was not registered and payment of all applicable renewal and late fees. Also attach copies of organizing documents, bylaws, IRS determination letter(s), etc. that have changed since the last filing.
Change of Fiscal Year
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Turnaround: | 1-2 business days |
| Notes: | Send the state a copy of the short IRS 990 once it is available. |
Supplemental Reporting
Collection Receptacle Annual Report
| Form: | |
| Instructions: | A list of all the collection receptacles maintained by the organization to collect donated clothing, household items, or similar goods must be provided to the Secretary of State. Organizations must provide copies of the written, notarized permissions from property owners and/or all leaseholders of the said property where the receptacle is maintained. |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: |
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| Notarization Required?: | Required |
| Notes: | Disclosure Requirements "1. Any charitable organization that places or maintains a collection receptacle in public view for the purpose of collecting donated clothing, household items, or similar goods shall clearly and conspicuously display on two (2) sides, including the front, of each collection receptacle a permanent sign or label with the charitable organization's name, address, phone number, electronic mail address, and a statement expressing the charitable purpose for which the charitable organization exists. 2. Any person who is not a charitable organization and who places or maintains a collection receptacle in public view for the purpose of collecting donated clothing, household items, or similar goods, for resale for the purpose of retaining the proceeds of the sale of the items, shall clearly and conspicuously display on two (2) sides, including the front, of each collection receptacle a permanent sign or label with the person's name, address, phone number, electronic mail address, and the following statement: THIS IS NOT A CHARITY. DONATIONS MADE HERE WILL BE SOLD BY A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS AND ARE NOT TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. 3. (A) Any person who is not a charitable organization and who places or maintains a collection receptacle in public view for the purpose of collecting donated clothing, household items, or similar goods, for resale for the purpose of paying over all or a portion of the proceeds from the sales to a charitable organization, shall display on two (2) sides, including the front, of each collection receptacle a permanent sign or label with the following statement: DONATIONS MADE HERE WILL BE SOLD BY A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS, AND A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BE PAID TO [NAME OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION]. FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PAYMENTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM [NAME OF PERSON OPERATING COLLECTION RECEPTACLE] AT [PHONE NUMBER AND ELECTRONIC MAIL ADDRESS] AND FROM [NAME OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION] AT [PHONE NUMBER AND ELECTRONIC MAIL ADDRESS]. 4. The sign or labels required by this subsection (l) shall be placed on two (2) sides of the collection receptacle, including the front, with the required information printed in letters that are at least two inches (2") in height, and in a color that contrasts with the color of the collection receptacle so that the sign or label is clearly visible." |
| Required Attachments: |
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Cancelation
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Notes: | To close out your registration, submit a Notice of Intent to Cease Solicitations, the most recently filed IRS form 990, and a brief letter of explanation. |
| Required Attachments: |
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Tennessee Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Tennessee.
Tennessee does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.
"Professional solicitor" means any person who, for a financial or other consideration, solicits contributions for, or on behalf of, a charitable organization, whether such solicitation is performed personally or through such person's agents, servants or employees or through agents, servants or employees specially employed by or for a charitable organization, who are engaged in the solicitation of contributions under the direction of such person, or a person who plans, conducts, manages, carries on or advises a charitable organization in connection with the solicitation of contributions. Any independent marketing agent or entity to whom a professional solicitor assigns fund raising or solicitation responsibilities shall be deemed to be a professional solicitor for purposes of this part. A salaried officer or permanent employee of a charitable organization is not deemed to be a professional solicitor. However, any salaried officer or employee of a charitable organization that engages in the solicitation of contributions for compensation in any manner for more than one (1) charitable organization is deemed a professional solicitor. A professional solicitor does not include an attorney, investment counselor, or banker who in the conduct of such person's profession advises a client. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(7).
Tennessee Professional Solicitor Registration
| Agency: | Tennessee Secretary of State - Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming |
| Bond Requirements: | $25,000 |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Original Ink: | Not Required |
| Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
| Before you Apply: |
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| Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Due: | Annually by December 31. |
Contract Filing
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | File a solicitation campaign notice before beginning a new campaign. |
Financial Reporting
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Within 90 days after a campaign has ended and within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year for campaigns lasting more than a year. |
| Notarization Required?: | Required |
Individual Licenses
Tennessee Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Tennessee Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Tennessee.
Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Tennessee.
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