Fundraising activities are regulated by state law. The majority of states (40) require charitable nonprofits, as well as any paid professional “fundraising counsel,” or consultant hired to assist the nonprofit with fundraising activities, to register with the state before the nonprofit solicits any donations from residents of that state. All in all – it’s complicated!
What’s most important is that a nonprofit earn and retain the donating public’s trust; following the requirements of state laws is a basic tenet of ethical fundraising.