The Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, 10 P. S. § 162.1 et seq ., (Act) requires professional solicitors to register with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations (Bureau) prior to soliciting for charitable organizations in Pennsylvania.  If they do not register, they can be fined up to $1,000 per violation and assessed additional penalties of up to $100 per day.

Under Section 9(e) of the Act, 10 P. S. § 162.9(e), solicitors must also submit copies of their contracts with charitable organizations to the Bureau at least ten working days prior to soliciting for the organizations in Pennsylvania.  If they fail to do so, or solicit before their contracts are approved by the Bureau, fines of up to $1,000 per violation and additional penalties of up to $100 per day can be imposed.  When a submitted contract is approved by the Bureau, a certificate of approval for that contract is issued to the solicitor. 

Section 9(f) of the Act, 10 P. S. §162.9(f), sets forth the various provisions which must be included in solicitor contracts.  Contracts with charitable organizations must contain all the required provisions.  The Bureau cannot approve contracts which do not contain all the statutorily required provisions and solicitors cannot legally solicit for charitable organizations in Pennsylvania until their contracts are approved. 

Finally, Section 9(l) of the Act, 10 P. S. §162.9(l), requires solicitors to file a financial report within 90 days after a solicitation campaign or event has been completed and on the anniversary of the commencement of a solicitation campaign lasting more than one year.  This financial report must list the gross revenue from the campaign or event and an itemization of all expenses incurred.

Solicitor registrations must be renewed annually.  Registration packets can be obtained by calling the Bureau toll-free at 1-800-732-0999 or by downloading a registration packet from this web site. 

You can download a registration packet and forms through this web site. 

 

To download a specific form, follow the appropriate link: Registration Statement for Professional Solicitor (Form BCO-155), Bond (Form BCO-160) , Solicitation Campaign/Event Financial Report (Form BCO-165), Solicitation Notice (Form BCO-170), Solicitation Notice Addendum (Form BCO​​-170A), and Professional Solicitor Written Contract Instructions.

 

If you have any questions about any of these matters, please do not hesitate to contact the bureau by e-mail, by calling 1-800-732-0999, or by writing the Bureau.