Don’t Forget to Complete Your Annual Nonprofit Registration!

It is a niche topic, but I think about nonprofit registration a lot. Propel requires borrowers to be registered and remain in good standing with the State of Minnesota to receive a loan. As our loan Portfolio Director, you can see why this is frequently on my mind.

Around this time of year, when many nonprofits come to us for loans, their registration has lapsed. This year especially has been challenging, and nonprofits have been dealing with a great deal of uncertainty as the year began.

It’s not uncommon for nonprofits’ registration to lapse, especially if there has been a change of address or leadership. Ensuring that your organization’s registration is up-to-date is an important annual activity. Set a recurring reminder in your calendar or add this activity to your annual checklist along with filing your 990.

I’ve included some information here if you are unfamiliar with the process or need a quick refresher. You’ll need to register in these two places.

Secretary of State

If your organization is a Minnesota Corporation, your organization’s registration with the Minnesota Secretary of State must be renewed by December 31 each year, regardless of your fiscal year-end. If you forgot to renew your registration by December 31, 2024, your organization will be listed as inactive, and you’ll be on the “involuntary dissolution” list. But never fear, you can renew your registration online.

You can search to confirm if you are registered with the Secretary of State, as well as renew your registration online: If your organization is a Minnesota Corporation, your organization’s registration with the Minnesota Secretary of State must be renewed by December 31 each year, regardless of your fiscal year-end. If you forgot to renew your registration by December 31, 2024, your organization will be listed as inactive, and you’ll be on the “involuntary dissolution” list. But never fear, you can renew your registration online.

You can search to confirm if you are registered with the Secretary of State, as well as renew your registration online:

https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/Business/Search

Attorney General

Most nonprofit organizations that have staff, solicit contributions or have significant assets must register annually with the MN Attorney General’s Office.     

You can search to confirm if you are registered with the Attorney General here:

https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Charity/Search/Default.asp

Some nonprofits are exempt from registration. More information about registration requirements and exemptions are found on the Attorney General’s website: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Handbooks/CharitiesLaws/CH2.asp

To register, a soliciting charity must submit an Initial Registration form, and every year after registering, a charity must submit an Annual Report, in order to remain Active/In Good Standing with the Attorney General. Registration and annual reporting forms can be found here: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Charity/InfoCharitableorgandTrusts.asp

For more information or assistance with registration and reporting, nonprofits can contact the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office at (651) 757-1496 or (800) 657-3787.

Resources:

Propel Annual Requirements for Nonprofit Organization in Minnesota:

https://propelnonprofits.org/resources/annual-requirements-for-nonprofit-organizations-in-minnesota/

Minnesota Attorney General’s Guide to Charities Law:

https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Handbooks/CharitiesLaws/CH1.asp

Minnesota Secretary of State – Business Filings:

https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/Business/Search

State Filing Requirements for Nonprofits:

https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/governance-leadership/state-filing-requirements-nonprofits

The information in this blog is specific to Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations. If you are outside of Minnesota, the National Council of Nonprofits has some resources to find the requirements in your state: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/governance-leadership/state-filing-requirements-nonprofits.