Page 158 - Washington Nonprofit Handbook 2018 Edition

contributions to the extent that there is an impact to persons or entities in their
state.

b. Internet Solicitations

Internet solicitations are trickier. There is limited regulatory guidance with
respect to charitable solicitation compliance if a person or entity is soliciting in a
state solely through the internet. In an attempt to provide clarity, the National
Association of State Charity Officials published internet registration guidelines
known as the “Charleston Principles” which outline when registration in a foreign
state is required:

• If the person or entity solicits through the internet and specifically
targets (e.g., email, telephone, or direct mail) persons or entities
physically located in the state; or

• If the person or entity solicits through the internet and receives
contributions on a repeated and ongoing basis (the number of
contributions may vary, but some states would say that 25 or more
contributions per year is considered repeated and ongoing) from
persons or entities physically located in the state; or

• If the person or entity solicits through the internet and receives
substantial contributions (this amount may vary, but some states
would say $25,000 or 1% of total contributions per year in the
aggregate constitutes substantial contributions) from persons or
entities physically located in the state.

However, many states advise that a person or entity soliciting contributions
on the internet proactively register and comply with every state’s charitable
solicitations laws, particularly if the solicitations are broadcast widely and are likely
to receive responses in many states.

Registering nationwide is not required so long as the following elements are
met:

• The only connection with the state is a small number of donations

• There is no plan to actively target residents of that state, and

WASHINGTON NONPROFIT HANDBOOK -147- 2018