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organizations. RCW 19.09.020(16). The CSA broadly defines “charitable purpose.”
The definition includes, but is not limited to, the generally accepted meaning of
assisting the poor, distressed, or underprivileged—it also includes religious,
scientific, literary, educational, environmental, humanitarian, patriotic, and civic
purposes. See RCW 19.09.020(3).

Here are examples of what constitutes a charitable organization and what
does not:

• Any person or entity that solicits charitable contributions from the
public is a charitable organization. This includes for-profit businesses
or loose associations of people. It also includes firefighters’ unions
that ask members of the public to purchase tickets to an event to
benefit their members.

• Entities that raise money for charitable causes and donate all of the
money to those causes are not charitable organizations if they do not
solicit or collect charitable contributions from the public.

• An entity that solicits contributions only from its members is not a
charitable organization if membership in the entity is determined by
the payment of dues, fees, or other assessments that confer bona fide
rights, privileges, professional standing or other direct benefits, in
addition to the right to vote, hold office, or elect officers.
“Membership” does not include those who become members of the
entity upon making a contribution because of a solicitation.

• Entities with a physical presence inside or outside Washington that
maintain websites or send email messages that solicit or accept
charitable contributions from Washington residents are charitable
organizations.

(ii) Definition of “Solicitation”

The CSA defines “solicitation” as (1) any appeal for a contribution from the
general public where there is an appeal for any charitable purpose; and (2) any
offer or attempt to make a sale where an appeal is made for any charitable
purpose, the name of a charitable organization is used to help make or attempt to
make a sale, or it is stated or implied that all or part of sales proceeds will benefit
any charitable purpose or be donated to any charitable organization. See RCW
19.09.020(19).

WASHINGTON NONPROFIT HANDBOOK -135- 2018