Professional Fundraising

People who receive compensation to conduct or manage solicitations on behalf of charitable organizations are required to register with the Oregon DOJ as either a professional or commercial fundraising firm.

A professional fundraising firm asks for donations only. A commercial fundraising firm offers a product or service with a portion of sale proceeds going to a nonprofit.

In addition to registering, professional and commercial fundraising firms must also file a campaign notice before they begin soliciting and may also be required to file financial reports.

Who Must Register?

For-profit companies, mutual benefit nonprofit corporations, and individuals who manage fundraising campaigns or solicit on behalf of nonprofit organizations.

Who is Exempt?

• Volunteers of the nonprofit organization
• Paid employees of the nonprofit organization, defined as an employee whose paycheck shows the required deductions for state and/or federal income taxes (independent contractors are required to register)
• Fundraising counsel, provided counsel does not have primary responsibility for the fundraising campaign’s production or management, does not have access to contributions or the ability to pay expenses from campaign proceeds, and does not directly engage in solicitations

Registering a Professional or Commercial Fundraising Firm

How to Register

Send a completed registration form and $250 to the Oregon Department of Justice.

Download a PF10/PF20 Fundraising Firm Annual Registration Form (PDF) »

If you are uncertain whether you must register, please call our office during regular business hours at 971-673-1880 and ask for the Professional Fundraising Registrar. For more information, consult the Statutes and Rules Governing Oregon Nonprofits.

Filing a Campaign Notice

All registered professional and commercial firms must submit notice 10 days prior to the start of a solicitation campaign. Required attachments:

• A contract with the nonprofit receiving funds and whose name will be used in solicitations
• A written financial plan, including good-faith projections of campaign revenue and expenses
• Telephone scripts
• Written materials showing the required disclosure statement

Download a PF11/PF21 Fundraising Firm Solicitation Campaign Notice Form (PDF) »

Filing a Financial Report

Registered professional and commercial fundraising firms must submit a financial report within 90 days of the end of the solicitation campaign. If the solicitation campaign is longer than one year, an interim financial report is required at the end of the first year of solicitations. The financial report requires the following cost breakdown:

• Amount paid to nonprofit beneficiary
• Total cost of goods and/or services sold
• Total direct costs of solicitation
• Profit retained by fundraising firm
• Gross campaign revenue

Download a PF12 Fundraising Firm Solicitation Campaign Report Form (PDF) »

A financial report is not required if donations were collected and controlled solely by the nonprofit beneficiary.