State of California Department of Justice
Rob Bonta
Attorney General
Attorney General
Use the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers' Online Filing Service to:
A charitable fundraising platform is a person, corporation, or other legal entity that provides a website, mobile device application, or other internet-based platform to Californians, and performs, permits, or enables solicitations through its platform. The different types of solicitations include:
This list of examples is not exhaustive. (Gov. Code, §§ 12581.2, 12599.9, subd. (a)(1); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, § 314 subds. (m) to (q).)
When a charitable fundraising platform performs, permits, or enables solicitations through its platform, it may enter into a partnership with a platform charity, a charity that facilitates donations for other charities referenced in solicitations on the platform. A partnership is a contractual relationship, where one of the contract's purposes is for the platform charity to facilitate solicitations on the charitable fundraising platform. A platform charity may be responsible for obtaining consent from other charities to be referenced in solicitations, may receive and hold donations made on the platform, may provide tax donation receipts to those who made donations on the platform, may determine whether charities referenced in solicitations are eligible to be sent donations, and may send donations to the charities referenced in solicitations, among other responsibilities. A platform charity's responsibilities are determined by the terms of the partnership and may vary. (Gov. Code, § 12599.9, subd. (a)(5); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, § 314, subd. (i).)
If a charity meets the definition of both a platform charity and a charitable fundraising platform, the charity is deemed a charitable fundraising platform. This occurs when the charity has entered into a partnership with one or more charitable fundraising platforms to facilitate solicitations on those platforms, and the charity also independently provides a website, mobile device application, or other internet-based platform to Californians, and performs, permits, or enables solicitations through its own platform. (Gov. Code, § 12599.9, subd. (b)(1).)
"Recipient charitable organizations" are charities referenced in solicitations on a charitable fundraising platform. They are not a platform charity because they did not enter into a partnership with a charitable fundraising platform to facilitate solicitations for other charities also referenced on the platform. (Gov. Code, § 12599.9, subd. (a)(7).)
The California Attorney General oversees the activities of charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities in California pursuant to California's Charitable Fundraising Platforms Law and its regulations.
Effective June 12, 2024, the registration and filing requirements for charitable fundraising platforms are as follows:
Effective June 12, 2024, the registration and filing requirements for platform charities are as follows:
A charitable fundraising platform that is a charity shall also initially register and renew registration and report as a trustee/charity, if not already doing so.
Other notable requirements include:
Additional notable requirements become effective January 1, 2025:
The registration of a charitable fundraising platform or platform charity must be in good standing to operate or solicit in California. The failure to comply with the registration, filing, and other requirements may also lead to civil litigation or administrative enforcement action, and subject the person or entity to late fees, civil penalties, suspension or revocation of registration, orders, and other relief as provided in Government Code sections 12586.1, 12591.1, and 12598, and California Code of Regulations, title 11, sections 336 to 346.
Form PL-1 is the initial registration form for charitable fundraising platforms. It is filled out, paid for, and filed through the Registry’s Online Filing Service.
Every charitable fundraising platform must register with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers before performing, permitting, or enabling any solicitations. (Gov. Code, §§ 12581.2, 12599.9, subds. (a)(1) & (b)(1); Cal. Code Regs., §§ 314, subds. (m) to (q), 315, subd. (a).)
This requirement is effective June 12, 2024.
See Government Code section 12599.9, subdivision (a)(2), for the exclusions. A person or entity excluded from the definition of a charitable fundraising platform should not file Form PL-1 because it is not a charitable fundraising platform.
For example, a charitable organization that has its own platform, and solicits donations only for itself through its own platform, is not a charitable fundraising platform.
In another example, a person or entity is not a charitable fundraising platform and thus excluded from filing Form PL-1, when the entity is only deemed a commercial fundraiser for charitable purposes because: the entity, for compensation, also performs solicitations via telephone or direct mail (excluding electronic mail or messages); solicits donations through in-person fundraising events; solicits noncash donations; solicits through print, radio, or television more than on an incidental basis; or performs solicitations involving a chance to win something of value. In these instances, the person or entity must register as a commercial fundraiser for charitable purposes (if not already registered as such), and comply with other requirements applicable to commercial fundraisers).
To create an account, visit the Online Filing Service and select “Sign up now.” Enter an email address to receive a verification code, then verify your email. After that, enter your name and create a password.
If your organization has an existing registration with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers for another registration type, link your Online Filing Service account to your organization’s registration record. If you have your organization’s registration code, navigate to the My Registrations section, and select “Don't see your registration? Click here to find it.” You will be prompted to enter the organization’s registration code and an identifying number associated with the organization, such as the FEIN, to link the registration to your account. Once linked (which may take hours), the organization will appear under My Registrations.
If you do not have the organization’s registration code, log in to the Online Filing Service, navigate to the My Registrations section, and select “Click here if you need help accessing your registration.” From there, submit a support request and provide information about the organization, including any identifying information you have available (such as the FEIN), along with your role with the organization. The Registry will review your request and assist you with gaining access to the organization's registration record, if appropriate.
Note: For security purposes, registration codes are only provided to individuals who are authorized to access and manage the organization’s record.
Once logged into the Online Filing Service, select the “Start a New Registration” button, and then select the Charitable Fundraising Platform registration type. If you have an existing registration as a trustee with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers (also known as the Charitable Organization registration type), make sure to specify that registration number in Part B of Form PL-1.
The $625 initial registration fee must be paid at the time of filing Form PL-1. The Online Filing Service accepts secure online payments via credit card or Automated Clearing House (ACH), which is payment using the organization's checking account.
Yes, failure to timely file Form PL-1 may result in assessment of late fees.
Filing a complete Form PL-1 starts the registration process. Filings are reviewed to determine whether a registration should be granted. A registration number is assigned by the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers to each registered charitable fundraising platform and registration is effective for the remainder of the calendar year. Registration renewal and reporting occur on an annual basis thereafter through the filing of Form PL-2 (renewal) and Form PL-4 (reporting). See Government Code section 12598, subdivision (e)(1), and California Code of Regulations, title 11, sections 339 to 341 for when registration may be refused, suspended or revoked.
Filings are processed based on the date of receipt, provided the filing is complete. Once approved, the Registry emails a confirmation of registration with the applicant’s registration number and registration code. If the filing is incomplete or there are additional questions, the Registry emails the applicant a notice with the information or documents requested.
Applicants can review the status of a filing in the Online Filing Service. Once logged in, go to the My Submissions section. Under the Initial Applications for Registration heading, check both the Submitted and Action Required tabs.
The registration code can be used to link your registration as a charitable fundraising platform with an Online Filing Service user account. Your registration code is not publicly available. Keep it secure, and do not share it with anyone, unless they are authorized to sign and submit filings in the Online Filing Service on your behalf (under penalty of perjury). Under no circumstances can a registration code be used to submit unauthorized filings, or to permit one registrant to submit filings for another registrant.
To view the Form PL-1 filing in the Online Filing Service, after logging in, navigate to the My Submissions section, and then select the Submitted tab. The submitted Form PL-1 filing is listed, even if it is pending processing. An online version of the filing is viewable.
To view an accepted Form PL-1 filing in the Registry Search Tool, look up your organization’s record, and in the Registrations section, select your organization’s registration number to view registration-specific filings. An online version of the Form PL-1 filing is available under the Initial Applications tab. Select the Correspondence tab for an official PDF copy of the filing and other notifications.
Yes. You can save your progress at any point using the Save as Draft option and return later to complete your filing. In the Online Filing Service, drafts are saved in the My Submissions section. For a draft Form PL-1, select the Initial Applications and Created tabs.
Initial registration is for a calendar year, and expires December 31 of the registering year, regardless of when registration was granted in that year.
Form PL-2 is the renewal of registration form for charitable fundraising platforms. It is filled out, renewal fee paid for, and filed through the Registry’s Online Filing Service.
Every charitable fundraising platform must file Form PL-2 with the Registry to renew registration for each calendar year if, during that year, a charitable fundraising platform has been, is, or will be performing, permitting or enabling any solicitations, or has been, is, or will be receiving, holding, or controlling, or sending donations. Also renew registration when a charitable fundraising platform partners with a platform charity (or another charitable fundraising platform) to assist with these activities. Form PL-2 must be filed by January 15 of each year for which registration is being renewed. (Gov. Code, §§ 12581.2, 12599.9, subds. (a)(1) & (b)(2); Cal. Code Regs., §§ 314, subds. (m) to (q), 315, subd. (b).)
Yes. Form PL-2 can be filed beginning in October for the subsequent calendar year.
See Government Code section 12599.9, subdivision (a)(2), for the exclusions. A person or entity excluded from the definition of a charitable fundraising platform is not a charitable fundraising platform and should not file Form PL-2, including a person or entity who was previously registered as a charitable fundraising platform, but is no longer a charitable fundraising platform.
Once logged into the Online Filing Service, navigate to the Charitable Fundraising Platforms section and select the “File a Form PL-2 Registration Renewal” button.
If your organization’s registration does not show, ensure your Online Filing Service user account is linked to your organization’s registration record.
If you have the organization’s registration code, log in to the Online Filing Service, navigate to the My Registrations section, and select “Don't see your registration? Click here to find it.” You will be prompted to enter the organization’s registration code and an identifying number associated with the organization, such as the FEIN, to link the registration to your account. Once linked (which may take hours), the organization will appear under My Registrations.
If you do not have the organization’s registration code, log in to the Online Filing Service, navigate to the My Registrations section, and select “Click here if you need help accessing your registration.” From there, submit a support request and provide information about the organization, including any identifying information you have available (such as the FEIN), along with your role with the organization. The Registry will review your request and assist you with gaining access to the organization's registration record, if appropriate.
Note: For security purposes, registration codes are only provided to individuals who are authorized to access and manage the organization’s record.
You may contact the Fundraising Platforms Program for further assistance.
The $625 renewal registration fee must be paid at the time of filing. The Online Filing Service accepts secure online payments via credit card or Automated Clearing House (ACH), which is payment using the organization's checking account.
When registration is not timely renewed, the charitable fundraising platform’s registration expires. Charitable fundraising platforms with an expired registration are not in good standing and are prohibited from soliciting or operating as a charitable fundraising platform in California. Failure to timely file Form PL-2 may result in assessment of late fees and automatic suspension of registration status. Also, the charitable fundraising platform is not eligible for its Form PL-4 to be filed by a partner, if applicable. (Gov. Code, §§ 12586.1, 12599.6, subd. (f)(1); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, §§ 312, 315, subd. (f)(1), 341.)
Filing a complete Form PL-2 starts the registration renewal process. Filings are reviewed to determine whether registration should be renewed. If renewed, registration is effective for the calendar year for which it was filed. For reasons as to why registration may be refused, suspended or revoked, see Government Code section 12598, subdivision (e)(1), and California Code of Regulations, title 11, sections 339 to 341.
Filings are processed based on the date of receipt, provided the filing is complete. If the filing is incomplete or there are additional questions, the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers emails the registrant a notice with the information or documents requested.
Registrants can review the status of a filing in the Online Filing Service. Once logged in, navigate to the My Submissions section, and select the Renewals tab. Under the Registration Renewals heading, check both the Submitted and Action Required tabs.
To view the Form PL-2 filing in the Online Filing Service, after logging in, navigate to the My Submissions section, and then select the Renewals and Submitted tabs. The submitted Form PL-2 filing is listed, even if it is pending processing. An online version of the filing is viewable.
To view an accepted Form PL-2 filing in the Registry Search Tool, look up your organization’s record, and in the Registrations section, select your organization’s registration number to view registration-specific filings. An online version of the Form PL-2 filing is available under the Renewals tab. Select the Correspondence tab for an official PDF copy of the filing and other notifications.
Yes. You can save your progress at any point using the Save as Draft option and return later to complete your filing. In the Online Filing Service, drafts are saved in the My Submissions section. For a draft Form PL-2, select the Renewals and Created tabs.
Registration is for a calendar year, and expires December 31, regardless of when registration was renewed in that year.
Form PL-3 is for platform charities to notify the Attorney General of a partnership entered into with a charitable fundraising platform to facilitate solicitations on that platform. It is filled out and filed through the Registry’s Online Filing Service.
Every platform charity registered as a trustee with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers (also known as the Charitable Organization registration type) must file Form PL-3 when the platform charity enters into a partnership with a charitable fundraising platform to facilitate solicitations on that charitable fundraising platform, unless: notification was already provided through the platform charity's registration as a trustee, or through registration of the partnering platform.
Form PL-3 must be filed within 30 days of entering into a partnership with a charitable fundraising platform, unless notification was already provided through the platform charity's registration as a trustee, or through registration of the partnering platform. The partnership triggers the filing of Form PL-3, and not whether any solicitations are publicly accessible on the partnering platform.
If a platform charity entered into a partnership with more than one charitable fundraising platform in the last 30 days, submit one Form PL-3 for all partnerships.
A platform charity must be registered as a trustee first before using the Online Filing Service to file Form PL-3.
A platform charity with an existing trustee registration (also known as the Charitable Organization registration type) must create a user account with the Online Filing Service. To create an account, visit the Online Filing Service and select “Sign up now.” Enter an email address to receive a verification code, then verify your email. After that, enter your name and create a password.
Then, link your Online Filing Service account to your organization’s existing registration record. For instructions on linking a registration record, see Form PL-2 Frequently Asked Question 5.
Once logged into the Online Filing Service, navigate to the Charities/Trustees section, and then select the “File a Form PL-3” button.
If your organization’s registration does not show, ensure your Online Filing Service user account is linked to your organization’s registration record. For instructions on linking a registration record, see Form PL-2 Frequently Asked Question 5.
The filing is processed based on the date of receipt, provided the filing is complete. If the filing is incomplete or there are additional questions, the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers emails the registrant a notice with the information or documents requested.
Registrants can review the status of a filing in the Online Filing Service. Once logged in, navigate to the My Submissions section, and select the PL-3 tab. Under the Notifications from Platform Charities heading, check both the Submitted and Action Required tabs.
To view the Form PL-3 filing in the Online Filing Service, after logging in, navigate to the My Submissions section, and then select the PL-3 and Submitted tabs. The submitted Form PL-3 filing is listed, even if it is pending processing. An online version of the filing is viewable.
To view an accepted Form PL-3 filing in the Registry Search Tool, look up your organization’s record, and in the Registration section, select your organization’s registration number to view registration-specific filings. An online version of the Form PL-3 filing is available under the PL-3 tab. Select the Correspondence tab for an official PDF copy of the filing and other notifications.
Yes. You can save your progress at any point using the Save as Draft option and return later to complete your filing. In the Online Filing Service, drafts are saved in the My Submissions section. For a draft Form PL-3, select the PL-3 and Created tabs.
Form PL-4 is for charitable fundraising platforms or platform charities to annually report on their fundraising activities. It is filled out and filed through the Online Filing Service.
Every charitable fundraising platform or platform charity operating in California must file a Form PL-4 with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers to report on fundraising activities that occurred in the calendar year that is being reported on ("reporting year").
A Form PL-4 may be filed on a charitable fundraising platform’s behalf by its partner retained to facilitate solicitations on the registrant’s platform. This is only permitted when the criteria specified in California Code of Regulations, title 11, section 315, subdivision (f), are met, which includes the charitable fundraising platform authorizing its partner to file the platform's Form PL-4 for which a Form PL-2 (for registration renewal) was completed and timely filed. When the criteria are met, the Online Filing Service will allow a partner to file a Form PL-4 for its partnering charitable fundraising platform and the charitable fundraising platform must still examine and sign Form PL-4 under oath, before it is filed.
The deadline for filing a Form PL-4 is July 15 of the current calendar year to report on fundraising activities that occurred during the prior calendar year (January 1 to December 31). When timely filed, the prior calendar year is the reporting year. The July 15 deadline applies regardless of the fiscal year a charitable fundraising platform or platform charity follows for its financial recordkeeping. A Form PL-4 filing shall only cover one calendar year.
For 2024 only, the reporting year is from June 12, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
When Form PL-4 is not timely filed, by July 15, late fees are assessed. A charitable fundraising platform’s or platform charity’s registration may also become delinquent. A charitable fundraising platform or platform charity with a delinquent registration is not in good standing and is prohibited from soliciting or operating as such in California. Failure to timely file Form PL-4 may further result in automatic suspension of registration status. (Gov. Code, §§ 12586.1, 12599.6, subd. (f)(1), 12599.9, subd. (d)(1); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, §§ 312, 341.)
Once logged into the Online Filing Service, navigate to the Charitable Fundraising Platforms section and select the “File a Form PL-4” button. Any Form PL-4 that is available for filing is listed. If you are an authorized partner filing for another registrant, select the Authorized Partner Filing tab to view Form PL-4 filings you are authorized to file for any partnering platform(s).
If no Form PL-4 is listed, ensure your Online Filing Service user account is linked to your organization’s registration record. For instructions on linking a registration record, see Form PL-2 Frequently Asked Question 5.
If no Form PL-4 is listed and your Online Filing Service user account is linked to your organization’s registration record, please contact the Fundraising Platforms Program for further assistance.
See this sample Attachment 1 with data saved as a CSV file. Do not use this sample to provide answers for Form PL-4 Part C questions 15, 17, 19, and Part D question 5, as it is provided to only show data formatted in compliance with the instructions for questions and attachments.
When applicable, the form’s Part C question 5 and Part D question 3 request fee information. Follow the question’s instructions for submitting fee information the registrant believes is confidential or a trade secret.
If the registrant submits fee information that it believes is confidential or a trade secret in compliance with the form’s instructions, the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers reviews the request to treat the fee information as confidential or a trade secret in accordance with California Code of Regulations, title 11, section 315, subdivision (g). If the Registry finds the fee information is confidential or a trade secret, the fee information is not made publicly available. If the Registry finds the fee information is not confidential or a trade secret, the Registry emails the registrant a notice of this finding and instructs the registrant to amend Form PL-4 within 45 days after notice. If not amended in accordance with the notice, the fee information would be made publicly available. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, § 315, subd. (g).)
Filings are processed based on the date of receipt, provided the filing is complete. If the filing is incomplete or there are additional questions, the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers emails the registrant a notice with the information or documents requested.
Registrants can review the status of a filing in the Online Filing Service. Once logged in, navigate to the My Submissions section, and select the Annual Reports tab. Under the Annual Reports heading, check both the Submitted and Action Required tabs.
To view the Form PL-4 filing in the Online Filing Service, after logging in, navigate to the My Submissions section, and then select the Annual Reports and Submitted tabs. The submitted Form PL-4 filing is listed, even if it is pending processing. An online version of the filing is viewable.
To view an accepted Form PL-4 filing in the Registry Search Tool, look up your organization’s record, and in the Registrations section, select your organization’s registration number to view registration-specific filings. An online version of the Form PL-4 filing is available under the Annual Reports tab. Select the Correspondence tab for an official PDF copy of the filing and other notifications. Publicly available copies of a Form PL-4 filing do not contain fee information the Registry finds is confidential or a trade secret. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, § 315, subd. (g).)
Yes. You can save your progress at any point using the Save as Draft option and return later to complete your filing. In the Online Filing Service, drafts are saved in the My Submissions section. For a draft Form PL-4, select the Annual Reports and Created tabs.
Yes, a Form PL-4 filing may be amended. In the Online Filing Service, navigate to My Submissions, and then select the Annual Reports and Submitted Tabs. Select the listed Form PL-4 filing you would like to amend, and then the “Amend Submission” button.
You may contact the Fundraising Platforms Program for further assistance.
Page Last Updated: August 25, 2026