NON-PROFIT / CHARITABLE LAW AND INFORMATION
The Office of the Attorney General protects the public interest in gifts, bequests and devises for charitable purposes; and in cooperation with the Department of Consumer Protection, administers and enforces state laws regulating charities and professional fundraisers who solicit from the public.
News and Press Releases
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Disaster Relief Guide - Resources, suggestions and advice for both donors and charities
Operation Donate with Honor - Nationwide education campaign to help consumers donate wisely to veterans' charities
- Operation Donate with Honor Press Release
- Operation Donate with Honor Educational Videos and PSA
- Wise Giving Tips for Donors
- Letter to Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, the Connecticut Food Association and the Connecticut Restaurant Association - helpful guidance to retailers, grocery stores and restaurants in the state who are often asked to allow veterans charitable groups to solicit for funds outside of their establishments.
- Additional Resources and Information from the Federal Trade Commission
Charitable Response to the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School
Disaster Relief Resources
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Disaster Relief Guide - disaster relief resources, suggestions and advice for both donors and charities
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The Disaster Philanthropy Playbook - a compilation of philanthropic strategies, best practices and lessons learned that have saved and galvanized local economies, nonprofits, and vulnerable populations from entering into a permanent downward spiral in the wake of a disaster.
Guidance for Donors
Helpful guidance for those who wish to make informed decisions about their charitable donations:
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Charity search – is the charity registered? (a database maintained by the Department of Consumer Protection)
Guidance on Registration and Reporting for Charities
The Connecticut Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act requires most organizations that solicit money for charitable purposes to register or claim an exemption from registration with the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). It is unlawful for most organizations to solicit contributions without being registered. All paid solicitors and some fundraising counsel must register, post a bond and file certain reports.
For information about registration of a charitable organization or paid solicitor/fund raising counsel, please refer to: DCP Registration Information
For IRS information regarding a Private Foundation, please refer to: Tax Information for Private Foundations.
For information on filing your IRS 990-PF with the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office please refer to the IRS 990-PF instructions.
Additional helpful sites for Registration and Reporting
Guidance on Governance and Best Practices for Non-Profits
Are you looking for guidance on setting up your Connecticut non-profit? Here are some helpful links on governance and best practices.
Cybersecurity Resources for Non-Profits
Charitable Trusts and Probate Court Practice
The Attorney General is a necessary party to all trusts and estates of a charitable nature, including gifts, bequests and devises.
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State of Connecticut Judicial Branch: "NEW" Connecticut Probate Court Rules of Procedure
Connecticut Law
What the law says:
Connecticut General Statute §3-125 charges the Attorney General with the protection of any gifts, legacies, or devises, intended for public or charitable purposes and establishes that the attorney general is a necessary party to actions involving charitable funds.
Connecticut General Statutes §45a-514 (Statute of Charitable Trusts) and Connecticut General Statutes §47-2 (Statute of Charitable Uses) are specific to charitable trusts and uses and require that all gifts given for charitable purposes be used exclusively for the purposes for which they were raised.
Connecticut General Statutes §§21a-175-190l (Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act) gives the Department of Consumer Protection original jurisdiction over investigation and enforcement of charitable funds and the Attorney General jurisdiction over the prosecution of the misappropriation and misrepresentation of charitable funds. See specific Prohibited Acts under the Solicitation Act.
The Connecticut Non-stock Corporations Act §33-1000 et seq. governs the formation, operation and dissolution of nonprofit corporations in Connecticut.
Addititional helpful websites for charitable law.
Disclaimer
The State of Connecticut is not responsible for the contents of any off-site pages referenced through links. The responsibility for content rests with the agencies/organizations that are providing the information. These links are provided as an information service only. It is the responsibility of the web surfer to evaluate the content and usefulness of information obtained from other sites. Please see Disclaimers and Permissions of the State of Connecticut.
The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General urges you to seek legal counsel as our office is prohibited by statute from giving any legal advice or counsel.