NOTICE:
Please be advised that during maintenance of SOS’ IT systems on March 4, 2019, the server, that supports a number of SOS databases failed. Specifically, the Notary and Charities systems were affected. Any information that SOS received via phone or fax on March 4th, must be re-entered. Please contact our office at 410-974-5521 to ensure that your business transactions with SOS on March 4th have been properly documented. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
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NOTICE: AUTOMATIC EXTENSIONS FOR REGISTERED CHARITIES
Effective immediately extensions for charitable registration are automatically granted to an organization with a current registration. Charitable organizations no longer need to file a written request for an extension to the registration deadline. We will no longer process written requests for extension. For more information, please see the information at:
http://sos.maryland.gov/Charity/Pages/Registering-Charity.aspx |
The Charitable Organizations Division annually registers,
regulates and renews charitable organizations, Professional Solicitors and
Fund-Raising Counsel soliciting charitable contributions in the State of Maryland. This includes
the review of a charitable organization's financial and governing documents,
as well as the review of all fund-raising contracts.
The Division administers and reviews applications for participation
in the Maryland Charity Campaign for Maryland State Employees and Retirees.
In order to encourage public confidence in the integrity of charities,
current law mandates that charities reveal to the public their financial
and programmatic activities, with the view that an informed public will
exercise prudence in giving.
Legislation also established a Charitable Giving Information Program
comprised of a toll-free line, a speaker's bureau and the production of
charitable giving literature. The program is designed to increase public
awareness and encourage questions regarding charitable giving, as well
as to offer the public a means of voicing concerns and reporting suspected
violations of the charitable law.
Statutory Authority: Business Regulation Article, §§6-101—6-701 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Many states have solicitation acts similar to the Maryland Solicitations Act. These statutes also generally require registration of charitable
organizations soliciting in their states. Click here for the pdf version of the Maryland Solicitation
Act. Please be advised that although every effort has been made to reproduce the current text of the Maryland Code for these sections, this
office does not warrant the accuracy of this content.
If a charitable organization is soliciting or is planning on soliciting charitable contributions in other states, the organization should contact
the state agency responsible for the regulations of charitable solicitations and determine whether registration is required.
If you are a donor . . .
In response to the many questions about particular organizations and
programs, the Division provides additional information for donors on the
organizations and its programs.
Questions: Telephone Numbers:
Shawn Estrada (410) 260-3974
Karishma Patel (410) 260-3864
Stephanie Marsiglia (410) 974-2620
or (800) 825-4510