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Oct
13

Charitable solicitation

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Charitable solicitation

King County business licenses

For a King County charitable solicitation business license, please note:

  • All charitable organizations soliciting for contributions in unincorporated King County are required to apply for a King County business license (Title 6* of the King County Code).

  • All charitable organizations soliciting for contributions in unincorporated King County also must register with the Secretary of State's Charities Division external link (call 1-800-332-GIVE).

  • Exceptions to licensing requirements in unincorporated King County are:

    • Religious organizations are not required to license unless solicitations are for a charitable purpose.

    • Charitable organizations collecting $2,500 or less are not required to license.

  • An application for a King County Charitable Solicitation business license must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the commencement of solicitation.

  • Licensing documentation requirements include:

    • Financial statement for preceding fiscal year on a King County Charitable Solicitation Fiscal Year Financial Statement form.

    • Itemization of the estimated cost of the solicitation.

    • Statement of the amount of any wages, fees, commission, salaries and expenses to be paid to any person in connection with solicitation.

    • If solicitation is by means of coin or currency boxes and/or receptacles, locations for each box and/or receptacle.

    • Verification of 501(c) tax exemption status and registration with the Secretary of State's Charities Division.

    Financial records are open to the public for review.

  • King County Charitable Solicitation License fees are:

    • $40 per year for a charitable organization.

    • $1,000 per year for a promoter (where professional fund-raising organizations or promoters are used).

To apply for a Charitable Solicitation license, do one of the following:

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