Steadworthy

As of 2026-07-23 · verified against primary sources

Wisconsin charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines

RegistrationRequired
AgencyWisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — Charities Section (Division of Corporate and Consumer Services)
Initial fee$15
Renewal fee$54
Renewal / report dueJuly 31, annually
Filing channelPaper / mail

Who must register

Wisconsin generally requires charitable organizations to register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — Charities Section (Division of Corporate and Consumer Services) before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting Wisconsin residents as well as local ones.

Wis. Stat. § 202.12(1)(a) · official source

How to register in Wisconsin

  1. 01Register with the Wisconsin DFI's Charities Section before soliciting: mail Form 296 with the $15 check (initial filing is paper; renewals are online only). Wisconsin runs two separate clocks — the credential itself expires July 31 every year (renew online June 1–July 31, $54), while the annual financial report is due within 12 months after your fiscal year end, free, and paper-only.Wis. Stat. § 202.12(1)(a) (registration before soliciting), (1)(e) (all registrations expire July 31), (3)(a) (financial report within 12 months of FYE); DFI…
  2. 02The annual report form depends on size: an affidavit (Form 1943) at $25,000 or less in contributions (or under $50,000 raised only in the principal-office county), Form 1952 wrapping your 990/990-EZ/990-PF with the Wisconsin supplement, or the full Wisconsin report (Form 308). Contributions over $1,000,000 require a GAAP audit with CPA opinion within 12 months of FYE; over $500,000 up to $1,000,000, a CPA review (thresholds raised by 2023 Act 151 for fiscal years beginning after 2024-03-23). A one-time-spike waiver exists — apply within 90 days after FYE (Form 1953). Note Wisconsin's internet rule: 50+ contributions from Wisconsin residents totaling over the exemption threshold makes a website 'soliciting in this state' (eff. 2026-05-07).Wis. Stat. § 202.12(3)(a) (report forms under DFI's delegation), (3)(b)-(bm) (audit >$1,000,000, review >$500,000–$1,000,000, 2023 Act 151, eff. 2024-03-23),…

Form WI-FORM-296 (initial registration)

Charitable Organization Registration Application (Form 296)

Wis. Stat. § 202.12(1)(a) — no soliciting in Wisconsin unless registered with DFI; initial application on Form 296 by mail, $15 (fees administrative under § … · official form

Exemptions we check for

The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.

Financial statement thresholds

If you use a paid fundraiser

Wisconsin's small-organization exemption (up to $25,000 in intended contributions) requires ALL functions including solicitation be performed by unpaid persons — any paid role, fundraiser or otherwise, defeats it. The membership-only fraternal/civic exemption is likewise a no-paid-solicitation shape.

Wis. Stat. § 202.12(5)(a)3. (small-org exemption conditioned on all functions performed by unpaid persons + no inurement), (5)(a)3m. (membership-only exempti…

If you haven't registered yet

Miss the July 31 credential expiry and Wisconsin gives a paid grace lane: a $25 late fee extends renewal through September 30, after which the registration is expired and soliciting unregistered violates § 202.12(1)(a). A small organization that crosses the $25,000 exemption line must register within 30 days.

Wis. Stat. § 202.12(1)(a) (no unregistered solicitation), (1)(e) (July 31 expiry; DFI late-renewal window through Sept 30, $25); § 202.12(5)(b) (register wit… · how to get current, calmly

Is your charity registered in Wisconsin? Check free.

Free. No account. Built from public records. Informational, not legal advice.

Wisconsin registration: common questions

Does a charity need to register to solicit donations in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin generally requires charitable organizations to register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — Charities Section (Division of Corporate and Consumer Services) before soliciting contributions in the state, unless an exemption applies. The requirement reaches out-of-state charities soliciting Wisconsin residents.
How much does charitable registration cost in Wisconsin?
The initial registration fee is $15, and renewal is $54. Fees are stated as the state sets them; where a fee varies with contributions, the tiers are cited on this page.
When is the Wisconsin charitable registration renewal due?
July 31, annually. The date is computed from the organization's own fiscal year end under the rule this page cites, so it differs between charities.
Are any charities exempt from registering in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin recognizes exemptions, and this page lists each one we check for with its statutory citation. The state, not a third party, decides whether an exemption applies.
Does Wisconsin require audited financial statements?
Wisconsin requires an accountant's report above a revenue threshold. The lowest threshold on record is a review above $500,000 in contributions. Every threshold and its citation are listed on this page.

Related: registration fees by state · renewal deadlines by state · exemptions · all state registration requirements

Nearby states

Fundraising rarely stops at a border — where Wisconsin charities also commonly solicit:

Citations

Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.