Charitable Registration

• Know your charity. Do not be afraid to ask the solicitor any questions about how the money will be used. In particular, ask if the solicitor is a volunteer or if he gets paid for soliciting contributions. The answer may influence your decision to donate. You should also ask what percentage of donations goes to the charity. Keep in mind that some fund raisers keep 80% or more of the money they raise. If the solicitor is evasive or cannot answer your questions, don't donate.
  
  
• Find out if the charity is registered. Under Arkansas law, most charities that solicit donations in the state of Arkansas must be registered with the Consumer Protection Division. All registered charities can be found on our Charitables Database Search. In addition, the Consumer Protection Division can provide information about the purpose of a charity, the amount of money a charity has raised in the past, the percentage of money collected that is used for charitable program services, the percentage that is used for administrative costs, and whether or not the charity employs the services of a professional fund raiser.
  
  
• Be sensible. Be wary of emotional appeals, especially those that insist that, due to an emergency of the charity's needs, you must send money now. In addition, stay away from charities that use harassment or strong appeals that may distort the charity's real purpose. Ask for written information about the charity. Review this information before you decide to donate.
  
  
• Report questionable activities. If a charitable group seems suspicious, or if you want to file a complaint against a charity, you may contact the Attorney General's Office

Additional Information
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• Charitables Database Search
• Charity Registration - PDF Updated 01/30/2008
• Fund Raising Counsel Registration - PDF Updated 01/30/2008
• Paid Solicitor Registration - PDF Updated 04/25/2007
• Telephonic Seller Registration - PDF