Maine Charitable Solicitations Act License and Renewal
Maine at a glance
- Registration
- Required, unless an exemption applies. Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR) handles it. Source
- Filing
- License Renewal. Source
- Renewal
- Your renewal is due November 30 each year. Source
- Renewal fee
- $20. Source
- Late filing
- A late fee applies, in the words of the source. Source
- Exemptions
- 7 listed, each quoted. Source
Every deadline, fee and exemption quotes its source and links to it.
Overview
- Regulatory Agency
- Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR)
- Registration Required
- Yes
Track your Maine deadlines automatically
Your Maine renewal is due November 30 each year. CharityFile emails reminders before that date. Reminders need a paid plan or a live trial. Initial registration is due at least 30 days before soliciting, accepting or obtaining contributions.
Track My Maine Filings →Fee Schedule
| Applies to | Fee |
|---|---|
| All organizations | $20 |
Source: maine.gov · verified August 11, 2026 (2 mo ago) · send source
“Annual renewal fee is $20.00”
Late filing fee
- Late fee source: “A late fee of $50.00 is assessed for licenses renewed after the license expiration date. (December 1 - March 1).” — maine.gov
Annual filing
Your renewal is due November 30 each year
Source: legislature.maine.gov · verified September 24, 2026 (22 days ago) · send source
“A license issued by the director to a charitable organization expires on November 30th annually or such other time as the director may designate. A charitable organization shall apply for renewal by filing a renewal application with the director prior to the expiration date and paying the license fee as set under section”
Required Documents
License Renewal. Forms and instructions: Agency page
- Annual Fundraising Activity Report (AFAR)
For the renewal
Source: legislature.maine.gov · verified October 14, 2026 (2 days ago) · send source
“A charitable organization shall submit to the director an annual fund-raising activity report that reflects data from the organization's preceding fiscal year, on a form prescribed by the director, as part of its application for license renewal.”
- Maine Application
For the initial registration
Source: maine.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“Charitable Organizations must submit the Maine-specific application. The State of Maine does not accept the Unified Registration Statement (“URS”).”
- IRS Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-N (upon request)
For the initial registration and the renewal
When: Produce upon request the three most recent Form 990 and Schedule A, 990-EZ or 990-N
Source: legislature.maine.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“A charitable organization shall produce upon request of the Attorney General or the director, in conjunction with an application for initial or renewal licensure or at any other time, its 3 most recent federal Internal Revenue Service Form 990 and Schedule A, federal Internal Revenue Service Form 990-EZ or federal Internal Revenue Service Form 990-N, as required by the federal Internal Revenue Service.”
Exemptions
- Educational
Source: mainelegislature.org · verified April 29, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“Educational institutions, the curriculums of which in whole or in part are registered or approved by the Department of Education, either directly or by acceptance of accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education, and organizations operated by the student bodies of such institutions; [PL 2013, c.”
- Free clinic
Source: mainelegislature.org · verified April 29, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“Free clinics”
- Hospital
Hospitals that are nonprofit and charitable
Source: mainelegislature.org · verified April 29, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“Hospitals that are nonprofit and charitable”
- Individual relief
Persons soliciting contributions for the relief of any individual specified by…
Source: legislature.maine.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“Persons soliciting contributions for the relief of any individual specified by name at the time of the solicitation, when all of the contributions collected, without any deductions whatsoever, are turned over to the named beneficiary for that individual's use”
- Membership
Source: mainelegislature.org · verified April 29, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“solicit primarily within their membership and do not contract with a professional solicitor”
- Religious institution excluded
For purposes of this chapter
Source: legislature.maine.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“For purposes of this chapter, an organization established for and serving bona fide religious purposes is not a charitable organization.”
- Small organization
Charitable organizations that do not intend to solicit and receive and do not…
Threshold: $35,000 (contributions)
Source: legislature.maine.gov · verified September 14, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“Charitable organizations that do not intend to solicit and receive and do not actually solicit or receive contributions from the public in excess of $35,000 during a calendar year or do not receive contributions from more than 35 persons during a calendar year, if the charitable organizations do not contract with professional solicitors and if no part of the assets or income inures to the benefit of or is paid to any officer or member.”
Enforcement in Maine
Penalties
Any intentional violation of this chapter shall be a Class D crime.
Source: 9 M.R.S. §5014 · verified September 23, 2026 (23 days ago) · send source
“Any intentional violation of this chapter shall be a Class D crime.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maine require charitable solicitation registration?
Yes. Maine requires charitable organizations, as its statute defines them, to register. The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR) handles registration.
Source: legislature.maine.gov · verified September 24, 2026 (22 days ago) · send source
“Unless it has received an exemption pursuant to section 5006, a charitable organization that intends to solicit, accept or obtain contributions in this State or to have contributions solicited, accepted or obtained on its behalf within this State shall file a license application with the director and pay the application and license fees as set under section 5015‑A at least 30 days before soliciting, accepting or obtaining contributions.”
How much does Maine charitable registration cost?
The initial registration fee is $20. The annual filing fee in Maine is $20.
Source: maine.gov · verified August 11, 2026 (2 mo ago) · send source
“Licensure fee of $20.00”
When is the Maine charitable registration filing deadline?
In Maine, your renewal is due November 30 each year. Initial registration is due at least 30 days before soliciting, accepting or obtaining contributions.
What documents are required for Maine charitable registration renewal?
The primary form is License Renewal. Forms and instructions: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/charitable-solicitations-act
Are there any exemptions from Maine charitable registration?
Yes. This guide cites these Maine exemptions:
- Educational
- Free clinic
- Hospital
- Individual relief
- Membership
- Religious institution excluded
- Small organization
- Whether an exemption applies depends on your facts. Read the quoted source above.
Where do I file Maine charitable registration?
Filings go to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR); the agency page names the current method.
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