How to Keep Your Nonprofit Compliant in Michigan
For nonprofit treasurers, executive directors, and board members managing Michigan charity-registration compliance — every deadline, fee, and exemption verified against its primary source.
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Track My Michigan Filings →Overview
- Regulatory Agency
- Attorney General, Charitable Trust Section
- Registration Required
- Yes
Fee Schedule
| Revenue Range | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All organizations | $0 | $0 — Michigan does NOT charge a registration fee per AG Charitable Trust Section. Confirmed verbatim from michigan.gov/consumerprotection/charities. No statutory fee in MCL §400.273; no administrative-rule fee in current R 14.11 et seq. |
| All organizations | $20 | LARA Nonprofit Annual Report filing fee — $20 for Form CSCL/CD-2000. Filed annually by October 1 with Michigan LARA Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau. NOT the AG charity solicitation filing — separate corporate filing under MCL §450.2911. Penalty for non-filing: automatic dissolution after 2 years per §450.2922 (60 days after 2-year period, with 90-day administrator notice). |
Renewal Deadline
6 months after your fiscal year end
Extensions available: up to 150 days
Renewal due 30 days before license expiration per MCL §400.277. License expires 1 year 7 months after the fiscal year end of the financial statement provided. In practice: renewal is due ~6 months after each FYE (e.g., December 31 FYE → renewal due ~July 1).
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A charitable organization shall file with the attorney general a renewal registration statement and supporting information on or before 30 days before the expiration date of the current registration.”
Required Documents
Always Required
- CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form
Conditional Attachments
- Audited Financial Statement(contributions >= $500,000)
- Reviewed Financial Statement(contributions >= $250,000 and < $500,000)
Exemptions
- educational
Educational institutions per MCL §400.283. Filing of CTS-03 Request for Exemption recommended to obtain formal AG determination.
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“exemptions for religious organizations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, amateur theater, band and orchestra organizations, and hospitals”
- hospital
Licensed hospitals + hospital-based foundations + hospital auxiliaries that solicit funds solely for one or more licensed hospitals. Per MCL §400.283.
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A licensed hospital, hospital-based foundation, or hospital auxiliary that solicits funds solely for 1 or more licensed hospitals.”
- individual relief
Solicitations for the relief or benefit of an individual specifically named at time of solicitation, where contributions collected are turned over to the named beneficiary after deducting reasonable expenses. Per MCL §400.283. Common pattern: GoFundMe-style medical-bill or disaster-relief campaigns for one named person.
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A person that requests a contribution for the relief or benefit of an individual, specified by name at the time of the solicitation, if contributions collected are turned over to the named beneficiary after deducting reasonable expenses.”
- membership
Charitable organizations that do NOT invite the general public to become a member and confine solicitation activities to existing members, directors, trustees, or their immediate families. Per MCL §400.283.
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A charitable organization that does not invite the general public to become a member and confines solicitation activities to solicitation drives solely among its members, directors, trustees, or their immediate families.”
- non 501c3 service
Nonprofit service organizations exempt from federal taxation under an IRC provision OTHER than §501(c)(3) (e.g., §501(c)(4), (c)(6), (c)(8)) whose principal purpose is not charitable but that occasionally fundraise for a charitable purpose, where solicitation is by unpaid members only. Per MCL §400.283.
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A nonprofit service organization that is exempt from taxation under a provision of the internal revenue code other than section 501(c)(3), whose principal purpose is not charitable, but that solicits from time to time funds for a charitable purpose by members of the organization that are not paid.”
- religious
Duly constituted religious organizations or groups affiliated with and forming an integral part of a religious organization, with current IRS determination letter and no income inurement to any individual. Per MCL §400.272(2). The IRS-determination requirement matters — purely-volunteer religious orgs without 501(c)(3) status do NOT qualify.
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A duly constituted religious organization or a group affiliated with and forming an integral part of a religious organization if none of its net income inures to the direct benefit of any individual and if it has received a declaration of current tax exempt status from the United States.”
- small org
All-volunteer organizations with contributions ≤ $25,000 in any 12-month period AND making available a financial statement to members and the public. Per MCL §400.283 + §400.272(2). The dual condition matters — paying any compensated solicitor disqualifies even if revenue is below $25K.
Threshold: $25,000 (revenue)
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A charitable organization that does not intend to solicit and receive and does not actually receive contributions of more than $25,000.00 during any 12-month period if all of its fund-raising functions are carried on by persons that are unpaid for their services and if the organization makes available to its members and the public a financial statement.”
- state licensed
Charitable organizations licensed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that serve children and families. Per MCL §400.283. Distinct from generic 501(c)(3) status — requires DHHS licensing.
Source: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form · verified April 29, 2026 (15 days ago) · report
“A charitable organization licensed by the department of human services that serves children and families.”
Why Charitable Compliance Matters in Michigan
Protecting Your Organization's Reputation
Maintaining proper charitable registration in Michigan protects your organization's reputation with donors, grantmakers, and the public. Foundations increasingly verify registration status before approving grants. Corporate matching gift programs check compliance databases. Individual major donors conduct due diligence. A lapsed registration can delay or disqualify your organization from funding opportunities, even when the lapse was unintentional.
Avoiding Penalties and Legal Complications
Most states impose penalties for late filings or soliciting without proper registration. These penalties range from modest late fees to substantial daily fines that accumulate quickly. Beyond financial penalties, some states restrict fundraising activities until registration is current, which can disrupt campaigns and donor relationships. In severe cases, state attorneys general can pursue enforcement actions against noncompliant organizations.
Meeting Donor Expectations
Donors increasingly research organizations before giving. State charity registries are public records that donors, journalists, and watchdog organizations can access. Current registration signals that your organization takes governance seriously. It demonstrates accountability and transparency—qualities that build donor confidence. Conversely, missing or outdated filings raise questions about organizational management.
Building Sustainable Fundraising Programs
Compliance is foundational to sustainable fundraising. Organizations that establish robust compliance systems early avoid the scramble of catching up later. Tracking deadlines, maintaining records, and filing renewals becomes routine rather than crisis management. This systematic approach frees staff to focus on mission delivery rather than regulatory emergencies. The investment in compliance infrastructure pays dividends as your organization grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan require charitable solicitation registration?
Yes, Michigan requires nonprofits to register before soliciting donations from residents. Registration is handled by the Attorney General, Charitable Trust Section.
How much does Michigan charitable registration cost?
Annual renewal fees in Michigan range from $0 to $20. See the Fee Schedule above for the per-tier amounts and what determines yours.
When is the Michigan charitable registration renewal deadline?
In Michigan, the annual renewal deadline is 6 months after your fiscal year end. Extensions of up to 150 days are available; consult the Attorney General, Charitable Trust Section for how the extension is requested or honored. Note: Renewal due 30 days before license expiration per MCL §400.277. License expires 1 year 7 months after the fiscal year end of the financial statement provided. In practice: renewal is due ~6 months after each FYE (e.g., December 31 FYE → renewal due ~July 1).
What documents are required for Michigan charitable registration renewal?
For Michigan charitable registration renewal, you typically need: CTS-02 Renewal Solicitation Form. Additional documents may be required based on your organization's size or activities, such as: Audited Financial Statement, Reviewed Financial Statement.
Are there any exemptions from Michigan charitable registration?
Yes, Michigan provides exemptions in certain cases. Common exemptions include:
- Educational institutions per MCL §400.283. Filing of CTS-03 Request for Exemption recommended to obtain formal AG determination.
- Licensed hospitals + hospital-based foundations + hospital auxiliaries that solicit funds solely for one or more licensed hospitals. Per MCL §400.283.
- Solicitations for the relief or benefit of an individual specifically named at time of solicitation, where contributions collected are turned over to the named beneficiary after deducting reasonable expenses. Per MCL §400.283. Common pattern: GoFundMe-style medical-bill or disaster-relief campaigns for one named person.
- Charitable organizations that do NOT invite the general public to become a member and confine solicitation activities to existing members, directors, trustees, or their immediate families. Per MCL §400.283.
- Nonprofit service organizations exempt from federal taxation under an IRC provision OTHER than §501(c)(3) (e.g., §501(c)(4), (c)(6), (c)(8)) whose principal purpose is not charitable but that occasionally fundraise for a charitable purpose, where solicitation is by unpaid members only. Per MCL §400.283.
- Duly constituted religious organizations or groups affiliated with and forming an integral part of a religious organization, with current IRS determination letter and no income inurement to any individual. Per MCL §400.272(2). The IRS-determination requirement matters — purely-volunteer religious orgs without 501(c)(3) status do NOT qualify.
- All-volunteer organizations with contributions ≤ $25,000 in any 12-month period AND making available a financial statement to members and the public. Per MCL §400.283 + §400.272(2). The dual condition matters — paying any compensated solicitor disqualifies even if revenue is below $25K.
- Charitable organizations licensed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that serve children and families. Per MCL §400.283. Distinct from generic 501(c)(3) status — requires DHHS licensing.
- You must verify if your organization qualifies before relying on an exemption — consult the Exemptions section above for the full descriptions.
Where do I file Michigan charitable registration?
Michigan charitable registration filings can be submitted through the Attorney General, Charitable Trust Section's online portal. The official registration portal provides access to required forms and online filing capabilities.
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