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Official website of the State of North Carolina

Charities Online Filing Checklist

Read this checklist before you start an online charity application.

Access to a printer

You will need to print out a completed Notarization Form at the end of the online registration process. At the end of the process, you will be able to review, make corrections, and print out a copy of the completed application and all uploaded documents.

NC SOS website User ID and Password

If you have already created a NC Secretary of State Website account for online filing (perhaps for another Division), then you will use that same account information for Charitable Solicitation Licensing (CSL) filings.

If you are a new user, register for an account

Payment

Pay with credit card or check (ACH). For an ACH payment, you need your bank routing number and account number.

PDFs

You will need individual PDF files of each of the following documents:

  • List of all locations in North Carolina (if applicable)
  • Statement of Charitable Purpose
  • Statement of how contributions will be used
  • List of major program activities
  • Copy of IRS Tax Determination Letter (if not previously provided to CSL)
  • List of all names under which the entity solicits contributions
  • Documentation of legal authority to use the entity name and any other DBA names
  • List of all other states in which the entity is authorized to solicit contributions
  • List of names and street addresses for all directors, officers, trustees, and salaried personnel (the entity’s address may be used)
  • List of names of the individuals in charge of solicitation activities
  • List of names, street addresses and phone numbers for the individuals or officers who have final responsibility for custody and/or distribution of contributions
  • Financial information for the preceding fiscal year in the form of one of the following:
    • IRS Form 990 OR:
    • CSL Annual Financial Report Form OR:
    • Audited Financial Statement OR:
    • For newly formed organizations with no financial history, a budget is acceptable.
  • Copies of any Fundraising Disclosure Forms regarding relationships with fundraising consultants, solicitors, or co-ventures (if applicable)
  • The dollar amount of contributions received by the entity in the immediate preceding fiscal year

Other documentation

If applicable, you may also need the following:

  • Explanatory Statements for any of the following (if applicable):
    • If any officers, directors, trustees, or salaried executive personnel have been enjoined from soliciting contributions in any jurisdiction;
    • If any officers, directors, trustees, or salaried executive personnel have been found to have engaged in unlawful practices in the solicitation of contributions or the administration of charitable assets in any jurisdiction;
    • If applicant has had its authority denied, suspended, or revoked by any government agency;
    • Copies of any assurance of voluntary compliance or any similar agreement entered into by applicant in any jurisdiction.
  • If applying as a consolidated applicant:
    • A list of all subordinate organizations including for each subordinate either 1) the organization’s full legal name with legal verification or 2) for non- incorporated applicants a copy of the certificate of assumed name from the Register of Deeds and 3) the address of each NC location, 4) a telephone number and 5) a contact person for each NC location.
    • Financial information for each subordinate organization
  • If applying as a Federated Fundraising Organization:
    • A list of applicant member agencies that comply with the following:
      • For each NC member agency EXEMPT from licensure requirements, the agency name, the reason for exemption (statutory citation), and the amount allocated by the applicant to the member agency during the preceding fiscal year;
      • For each NC member agency LICENSED by CSL, provide the agency’s name, their CSL license number, agency address, name of the executive in charge of the agency, telephone number, and the amount allocated by the applicant to the licensed member agency in the preceding fiscal year.