Fundraiser FAQs

Any person who is paid to solicit contributions (a professional solicitor) or to give advice about fund raising (a professional fundraising counsel) for charities soliciting in West Virginia is required to register.

The company may register all persons working under their direction (including officers, agents, servants and employees) with one registration, providing the name of each person is listed in the application.

• $100 registration fee (plus any late fees, if applicable)

See Forms and Fees.

*The above annual fees are in addition to the Secretary of State Annual Report filing fee required for corporations, cooperative associations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. See File Annual Reports for more information.

Yes. A $10,000 bond is required, and must be confirmed by completing the surety bond application attached to the Registration Statement of Professional Fundraiser or Fundraising Counsel registration form.

Yes. Any person or company establishing a business in West Virginia must first complete the business registration requirements.

• If your organization will be organized as a corporation, cooperative association, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, voluntary association or business trust, you must also register with the Secretary of State's Business Division. See Start a WV Business for registration information. You must also obtain a business license from the State Tax Department.
• If you plan to operate as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you must obtain a business license from the State Tax Department. Register as one of these entity types at the One Stop Business Portal. No registration with the Secretary of State is required.

Yes. See the information below.

• If your organization:
  1. is a corporation, cooperative association, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, voluntary association or business trust, and
  2. will have any physical presence in the state, even for a short time, you must apply for a certificate of authority through the Secretary of State. See Register an Out-of-State (Foreign) Business for more information. Registration with the State Tax Department is also required.
• If your organization is not one of the types named above but you will have a physical presence in the state, registration with the State Tax Department is still required.