Pennsylvania Department of State 
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations                                                               Instructions for 
207 North Office Building                                                                            Charitable Organization 
Harrisburg, PA 17120                                                                                   Registration Statement  
Phone: (717) 783-1720 or 1-800-732-0999 (within PA) 
Web site: www.dos.pa.gov/charities                                                             BCO-10 Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4

PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE/BIND ANY PAPERS

Who should file this form:  The Pennsylvania Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, 10 P. S. §162.1 
et seq., requires organizations soliciting charitable contributions from Pennsylvania residents to register with the 
Bureau by filing a Charitable Organization Registration Statement (BCO-10), unless the organization is excluded or 
exempted from the Act.  For additional information on excluded or exempted organizations, please refer to the 
Bureau’s Exclusions and Exemptions Chart at http://www.dos.pa.gov/charities.  

This form may be used for both initial registration and renewal of registration. 

Initial registration is required prior to any compensated person soliciting contributions on behalf of the charitable 
organization or within 30 days of receiving more than $25,000 in gross contributions for those organizations that do 
not compensate any person for soliciting contributions.  

Renewal of registration must be refiled (postmarked) no later than the 15th day of the eleventh month following 
the close of the organization’s fiscal year. The renewal due date is indicated on the certificate of registration sent to 
the organization upon the approval of a registration. The Bureau encourages renewal applications to be submitted 
prior to the due date to avoid gaps in registration. 

Requirement to update information:  Charitable organizations  are required to notify the Bureau in writing of any 
material change in any information filed with the Bureau not more than 30 days after such change occurs. 

What should be submitted as part of charitable organization registration: 
o      A properly completed, signed and dated BCO-10 registration statement with original signatures.
o      A completed and signed copy of the organization's IRS 990/990EZ/990PF/990N Return and all applicable
       schedules for the immediate preceding fiscal year end.  If your IRS 990 return was signed electronically,
       you must submit a copy of the electronic signature page filed with the IRS. SCHEDULE B SHOULD
       NOT BE SENT UNLESS YOU FILE 990PF. PLEASE DO NOT SEND SCHEDULE B
       (An organization that is not required to file an IRS 990 return or an organization that files a 990N, 990EZ                  
       or 990PF must file a Pennsylvania public disclosure form (BCO-23). An affiliate whose parent
       organization files a 990 group return must file both a BCO-23 Form and a copy of the parent
       organization’s 990 Return. The BCO-23 Form in fillable .pdf format may be found at:
       www.dos.state.pa.us/charities.)
o      Internally prepared, compiled, reviewed or audited financial statements for the immediate preceding fiscal
       year end. (See chart on next page.)
o      Initial registrants only: Copies of IRS exemption letter; organizational documents such as charter or
       articles of incorporation; and by-laws.
o      Registration fee made payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” (See chart on next page.) For
       renewal registrants, please include your Certificate number on your check or money order.
o      Late filing fees (if applicable): An organization failing to file a registration by the due date must pay an
       additional fee of $25 for each calendar month or part of a month after the date on which the registration
       was due to be filed. Late filing fees are statutorily required and may not be waived under any
       circumstances. Organizations electing to voluntarily register are not subject to late filing fees.

Page 1 of 7                                                                                                       Form BCO-10 – Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4

                                            1
            Gross Annual Contributions                                       Registration Fee 
             Section 162.7(a) organizations                                          $15 
                   $25,000 or less                                                   $15 
            $25,001 to less than $100,000                                            $100 
            $100,000 to less than $500,000                                           $150 
            Greater than $500,000                                                    $250 

            Gross Annual Contributions                          Type of Financial Statements Required 
            Section 162.7(a) organizations                                           None 
                   $25,000 or less                         Internally Prepared, Compiled, Reviewed, or Audited 
            $25,000 to less than $100,000                  Internally Prepared, Compiled, Reviewed, or Audited 
            $100,000 to less than $250,000                        Compiled, Reviewed or Audited 
            $250,000 to less than $750,000                                   Reviewed or Audited 
            $750,000 or more                                                         Audited 

1 Gross annual contributions are total national contributions from all sources based on the organization’s immediate preceding 
fiscal year end. They are not just contributions received from Pennsylvania. To determine “gross annual contributions,” add Part 
VIII lines 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1f, 8a and 9a from the organization’s IRS 990 return or see line 6 from the BCO-23 Form, if not 
required to file a 990. If the organization filed a 990 EZ, add lines 1, 6a and 6b, and subtract any government grants. 

2  Internally prepared financial statements shall contain a balance sheet and statements of revenue, expenses and changes in 
fund balances indicating the organization's gross revenue, the amount of funds received from solicitations or other fundraising 
activities and all expenditures for supplies, equipment, goods, services, programs, activities or other expenses, a detailed list of 
all salaries and wages paid and expenses allowed to any officer or employee if the organization is not required to file an Internal 
Revenue Service Form 990 and the disposition of the net proceeds received from solicited contributions or other fundraising 
activities. Compiled financial statements must be prepared by an independent licensed certified public accountant or 
independent licensed public accountant in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services issued 
by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Reviews and audits must be performed by an independent licensed 
certified public accountant or independent licensed public accountant. Reviews must be performed in accordance with the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services. Audits must 
be performed in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statements on Auditing Standards. 

                                             General Instructions 
This form and attachments must be submitted by mail. 
The form may be typewritten and printed using the fillable .pdf version available at http://www.dos.pa.gov/charities.  
If handwritten, please use black ink.  
All written materials must be capable of photographic reproduction (i.e. no shaded text boxes or otherwise 
highlighted text on the registration statement or attachments). 
Do not staple or otherwise bind the BCO-10, attachments or other registration documents (paper clips and binder 
clips are encouraged to help speed up processing times). 
All documents must be on 8 ½ x 11 paper. 
All questions need to be answered, even if the answer is N/A. Leaving a question blank will be giving a deficiency 
letter and possible late fees.   

                                 Line Instructions for completing the BCO-10 
Certificate Number.  All organizations that have previously filed with the Bureau are assigned a “Certificate 
Number.”  This number is listed on the Certificate of Registration, as well as any deficiency letter the organization 
may receive.  Use of the correct Certificate Number will enable the Bureau to apply the information received to the 
correct registration record. 

Fiscal Year Ended.  This lets the Bureau know what fiscal year end your organization is trying to register for. This 

Page 2 of 7                                                                  Form BCO-10 – Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4

line is very important and should always correlate with your most previously filed  IRS 990, 990EZ, 990PF, 990N or 
990 Group Return.  If the date indicated on this line is a future fiscal year end, your registration will not be approved 
until it is corrected as a registration cannot be based on a fiscal year end that has not been completed.  The fiscal year 
end must match on all of your submitted documents. 

Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN/EIN).  The nine-digit Federal EIN assigned by the Internal 
Revenue Service (e.g. 12-3456789).  All digits should be listed and legible. 

Voluntary registration.  Charitable organizations that are not mandated to register with the Bureau under the Act 
may register voluntarily. If the organization is registering voluntarily, check and complete the applicable box(es). For 
a registration to be voluntary, the organization must be exempt or excluded from registration or not soliciting in 
Pennsylvania. If the organization is exempt from registration, provide the reason why (i.e. hospital; public library; 
nursing home; parent-teacher association, etc.). For additional information on the criteria for exclusion or exemption 
under the Act, please refer to the Bureau’s Exclusions and Exemptions Chart at   http://www.dos.pa.gov/charities. 
Organizations that elect to voluntarily register must comply with all the Act’s requirements with the exception of the 
payment of late filing fees. 

1. Legal name of organization.  Provide the name of the charity as it appears in the most current organizational
documents (articles of incorporation or charter). The organization’s name as it appears on this line of the BCO-10
form is how it will appear on Certificate of Registration and on the Bureau’s searchable database.
If the organization was previously registered with the Bureau under another name, check box and provide all prior
names used by the organization.

2. All other names used to solicit contributions.  If the organization uses more than one name to solicit, such as a
d/b/a or fictitious name or specific program name, these should be listed.  These names will also appear on the
Bureau’s searchable database upon proper registration of the charitable organization. If a solicitation uses a different
name than the one used by the charity to register, prospective donors may not get the information they need prior to
donating.

3. Contact person and contact’s email.  Listing a contact person is not a registration requirement.  However, listing
a contact person and email makes it easier for the Bureau to communicate with the correct person within the
organization. If a valid email is provided, renewal reminders and registration certificates will be sent via email and
not by mail.

4. Address.
Principal address of organization.  If the organization does not maintain an office, the name and address of the
individual having custody of its financial records should be listed as the principal address.
Mailing Address.  The Bureau will send all correspondence to the mailing address (i.e. Certificate of Registration,
deficiency letters), if there is no email address on file. If the mailing address is incorrect or is not updated if a change
occurs, this could lead to late filings and the assessment of late filing fees.

5. Type of organization. This relates to the formation type of the organization (non-profit corporation, association,
trust, foundation, etc.).  “Where established” is referencing the state in which the organization was founded or filed.
Date established is the date that the organization was incorporated or organized.

6. Offices, chapters, branches, auxiliaries, affiliates, or other subordinate units located in Pennsylvania.  If the
organization has additional offices, chapters, branches, auxiliaries, affiliates or other subordinate units located in
Pennsylvania, which share in the contributions or revenue raised in the Commonwealth, please list the name, address
and telephone number of the separate offices.

7. Short form registration applicability.  Specified types of charitable organizations described in §162.7(a) of the
Act are required to register but may file a short form registration. This permits the organization to register by
completing the Charitable Organization Registration Statement (BCO-10) without filing a financial report. Charitable
organizations which are of the types specified by boxes §162.7(a)(1) – §162.7(a)(4) are not required to file a
Page 3 of 7                                                                      Form BCO-10 – Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4

financial report with this registration. If the organization is not one of the numerated types, “Not Applicable” should 
be checked and the charitable organization must submit financial reports which are audited, reviewed, compiled or 
internally prepared.  

8. Date organization first solicited contributions from Pennsylvania residents. This question is required for
initial registrants only.  Give the exact date that solicitation efforts began in Pennsylvania. See definitions of
“solicitation” and “contribution” for more information.

9. Date organization received gross contributions totaling more than $25,000 while soliciting Pennsylvania
residents.  This question is required for initial registrants only.  Give the exact date that the organization received
over $25,000 after solicitation began in Pennsylvania. This date may be in the current fiscal year or in prior fiscal
years. Gross contributions include contributions received both within and outside Pennsylvania before any
deductions or expenses.

10. Tax-exempt status.  Check box “yes” or “no” if the organization been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal
Revenue Service.
A. If yes, state under which Internal Revenue Code section the exemption is made (e.g. 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), etc.)
and attach a copy of the IRS determination letter, if it has not been submitted to the Bureau   previously.
B. If the organization’s tax-exempt status has been denied, revoked or modified, it must be reported to the Bureau
with every registration.  The first time the organization files after its tax-exempt status was denied, revoked or
modified, it must include a copy of any denial, revocation, modification and/or reinstatement letter.  All subsequent
registrations must include an attachment with a brief explanation as to why the organization’s tax-exempt status was
changed.  Alternatively, the organization may choose to submit the denial, revocation, modification and
reinstatement letter each year instead of an attachment.

11. Type of tax return.  Reference to the IRS 990 return includes all types of IRS 990 (Return of Organization
Exempt From Income Tax), including 990EZ, 990PF, 990N or a 990 Group Return.  If the organization files any of
these types of IRS 990, the answer to this question should be “Yes.”  If the organization is not required to file any of
these types of IRS 990 returns, the organization should answer this question “No,” as well as submit an attachment
explaining why it does not file any type of 990 return.  Organizations that file an IRS 990EZ, 990PF, 990N or 990
Group Return must also submit a Pennsylvania Public Disclosure Form (BCO-23).

12. Manner in which contributions are solicited.      Describe how the organization makes direct or indirect requests
for contributions (i.e. direct mail, telephone, internet, word of mouth, email, radio, etc.)

13. Description of specific programs. The organization must describe the specific programs for which
contributions are being or will be used.  It should also indicate whether these programs are already in existence or
will be implemented in the future.

14. Registration in other jurisdictions.  If the charitable organization is registered to solicit contributions in any
other state or municipality, these must be disclosed.

15. Compensation for soliciting efforts.  If a charitable organization uses a paid employee or uses a Professional
Solicitor to solicit contributions in Pennsylvania, the “Yes” box should be checked. If “Yes” is checked, supply the
date that solicitation began or will begin.  If the organization does not pay anyone to solicit and/or uses a
Professional Fundraising Counsel, check the box “No.”

16. Professional Solicitors.  If the charitable organization uses the services of a Professional Solicitor (see
definitions), list the name and contact information of the solicitor, the beginning and ending dates of the contract, and
the date/dates when Pennsylvania residents were first solicited or will be solicited.

17. Professional Fundraising Counsel.  If the charitable organization uses the services of a Professional
Fundraising Counsel (see definitions), list the name and contact information of all Fundraising Counsel, the
beginning and ending dates of the contract, and the date/dates services began or will begin.
Page 4 of 7                                                                        Form BCO-10 – Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4

18. Commercial Coventurers.  List the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any commercial coventurers
(see definitions) under contract with the organization.

19. Parent Organizations.  Is the registering charitable organization a “Parent Organization” that elects to file a
combined registration covering all its affiliates?  See the box below with Additional Information and/or section
162.5(m) of the Act for more information.

20. Pennsylvania Affiliate of a Parent Organization.  Is the registering charitable organization an “Affiliate of a
Parent Organization” and the parent organization has elected to file a combined registration covering all affiliates?
See the box below with Additional Information and/or section 162.5(m) of the Act for more information.

       Additional information on Affiliate and Parent Organizations for questions 19 and 20:  An affiliate 
       whose parent organization is located in Pennsylvania can register individually or its parent organization 
       can file a combined registration for itself and its Pennsylvania affiliate(s). To file a combined registration, 
       the Pennsylvania-based parent and each affiliate must file a separate Charitable Organization Registration 
       Statement - Form BCO-10 and its own IRS 990 Return or a Form BCO-23. An affiliate whose parent 
       organization files a combined registration on its behalf does not have to pay a registration fee. However, 
       the parent organization’s registration fee is determined by combining the gross contributions received by 
       the parent and all Pennsylvania affiliates. In addition, a parent organization filing a combined registration 
       must submit the appropriate financial statements covering itself and all its Pennsylvania affiliates.     

21. Officers, directors, trustees and principals.   Provide the names and addresses of all officers, directors,
trustees, and principal salaried executive staff officers.  This question must include the names of all unpaid and paid
individuals.

22. Responsible individuals. Provide the names of all individuals whose duties are outlined in each question.  There
could be multiple individuals involved with these responsibilities.

23. Relations by blood, marriage or adoption. Relation by blood means sharing biological ancestors. If the answer
to any part of question is “Yes,” attachment details listing all related individuals with their name, business, residence
addresses and an explanation of how they are related (i.e. blood, marriage, adoption). Where the number of
employees or vendors renders it impractical for the registrant to contact them on an individual basis regarding the
existence of any of the relationships set forth under this section, the registrant may file an affidavit stating which
relationships, if any, exist to the best of the affiant's information and belief.

24. Discipline/unlawful practices.
If the answer to any part of question #24 is “Yes,” your organization must submit a full written explanation including
reasons for actions and copies of all relevant documents.  If your organization has already filed supporting
documentation with the Bureau, you will only need to submit an attachment referencing the previous actions taken
against the organization and/or personnel.

Certification and signatures.  The registration statement must be signed and dated by two different officers of the 
organization, one of whom is the chief fiscal officer of the organization. 

You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the requirements of the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes 
Act by contacting the Bureau to request a copy of the Act or by visiting the Bureau’s website at: 
www.dos.pa.gov/charities. 

Page 5 of 7                                                                      Form BCO-10 – Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4

                                             DEFINITIONS 

Affiliate.  Any  chapter,  branch,  auxiliary,  or  other  subordinate  unit  of  any  charitable  organization,  howsoever 
designated,  whose  policies,  fundraising  activities,  and  expenditures  are  supervised  or  controlled  by  a  parent 
organization. 

Charitable Organization. Any person granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
Code or any person who is, or holds himself out to be, established for any charitable purpose or any person who in any 
manner employs a charitable appeal as the basis of any solicitation or an appeal which has a tendency to suggest there 
is a charitable purpose to any solicitation. 

Charitable Purpose.    Any  benevolent,  educational,  philanthropic,  humane,  scientific,  patriotic,  social  welfare  or 
advocacy, public health, environmental conservation, civic, or other eleemosynary objective, including an objective of 
any bona fide duly constituted organization of law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or other persons who protect 
the public safety if a stated purpose of the solicitation includes any benefit to any person outside the actual active 
membership of the organization. 

Commercial Coventurer.  Any person who for profit is regularly and primarily engaged in trade or commerce other 
than in connection with the raising of funds or any other thing of value when offered at the usual retail price comparable 
to similar goods or services in the market for a charitable organization and who advertises that the purchase or use of 
goods, services, entertainment, or any other thing of value will benefit a charitable organization.  

Contribution.  The promise, grant, or pledge of money, credit, property, financial assistance, or other thing of any 
kind or value, excluding volunteer services, in response to a solicitation, including the payment or promise to pay in 
consideration of a performance, event, or sale of a good or service. Payment by  members of an organization for 
membership fees, dues, fines, or assessments or for services rendered to individual members, if such fees, dues, fines, 
or  assessments  confer  a  bona  fide  right,  privilege,  professional  standing,  honor  or  other  direct  benefit,  are  not 
contributions, provided that membership is not conferred solely as consideration for making a contribution in response 
to a solicitation. Government grants or contracts are also not contributions.   

Parent Organization.  An organization which coordinates, supervises, or exercises control of policy, fundraising and 
expenditures, or assists or receives funds from, or advises, one or more affiliates. 

Professional Fundraising Counsel. Any person retained by a charitable organization for a fixed fee or rate under a 
written agreement to plan, manage, advise, consult, or prepare material for, or with respect to, the solicitation of 
contributions for a charitable organization, but who does not solicit contributions or employ, procure, or engage any 
compensated person to solicit contributions and who does not have custody or control of contributions. A bona fide 
salaried  officer  or  regular,  nontemporary  employee  of  a  charitable  organization  is  not  a  professional  fundraising 
counsel as long as the individual is not employed or engaged as professional fundraising counsel or as a professional 
solicitor by any other person.  Note: A person who is otherwise a professional fundraising counsel is considered to be 
a professional solicitor if his compensation is related to the amount of contributions received.  

Professional Solicitor.  Any person retained for financial or other consideration by a charitable organization to solicit 
contributions for charitable purposes directly, or in the form of payment for goods, services, or admission to fundraising 
events, whether such solicitation is performed personally or through his agents, servants, or employees or through 
agents,  servants,  or  employees  especially  employed  by,  or  for,  a  charitable  organization  who  are  engaged  in  the 
solicitation of contributions, the sale of goods or services, or the production of fundraising events under the direction 
of such person, or a person who plans, conducts, manages, carries on, advises, consults, whether directly or indirectly, 
in connection with the solicitation of contributions, sale of goods or services, or the production of fundraising events 
for, or on behalf of, any charitable organization, but does not qualify as a professional fundraising counsel. A person 
who is otherwise a professional fundraising counsel is considered a professional solicitor if his compensation is related 
to the amount of contributions received. A bona fide salaried officer or regular, nontemporary employee of a charitable 
organization  is  not  a  professional  solicitor  as  long  as  the  individual  is  not  employed  or  engaged  as  professional 
fundraising counsel or as a professional solicitor by any other person. 

Page 6 of 7                                                                          Form BCO-10 – Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4

Solicitation.  Any direct or indirect request for a contribution on the representation that the contribution will be used, 
in whole or in part, for a charitable purpose, including, but not limited to, any of the following: 
          (1) Any oral request made in person, by telephone, radio, television, or other advertising or communication
     media. 
          (2) Any written or otherwise recorded or published request mailed, sent, delivered, circulated, distributed,
     posted in a public place, or advertised or communicated by press, telegraph, television, or any other media. 
          (3) Any sale of, offer, or attempt to sell any advertisement, advertising space, sponsorship, book, card, chance,
     coupon, device, food, magazine, merchandise, newspaper, subscription, ticket, or other service or tangible good, 
     thing, or item of value. 
          (4) Any announcement requesting the public to attend an appeal, assemblage, athletic or competitive event,
     carnival, circus, contest, dance, entertainment, exhibition, exposition, game, lecture, meal,  party, show, social 
     gathering, or other performance or event of any kind. 

Page 7 of 7                                                Form BCO-10 – Instructions (rev. 1/202 )4