DISCLAIMER NOTICE
Any questions concerning a Fund-Raising Counsel can be directed to
Robert Gurley.
The Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for the registration and oversight of professional fund-raisers for
charitable organizations. Under the Maryland Solicitations Act, there are two categories of professional fund-raisers: Fund-raising Counsel
and Professional Solicitors. There is also a category of professional fund-raiser called a Public Safety Solicitor which solicits on behalf of
public safety organizations.
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Fund-Raising Counsel - is a person or an organization who, for pay, advises a charitable organization about a
charitable solicitation in Maryland or holds, plans or manages a charitable solicitation in Maryland.
They may not directly solicit or receive charitable contributions from the public.
To comply with the Act, a Fund-Raising Counsel must renew their registration annually including the submission of an
application, fee, and contracts that comply with the Act.
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Professional Solicitor - a person or organization who, for pay, advises a charitable organization about a
charitable solicitation; holds, plans, or manages a charitable solicitation; or solicits or receives
charitable contributions for a charitable organization, personally or through an associate solicitor.
To comply with the Act, a professional solicitor must renew their registration annually, including the submission of an
application, fee, $25,000 surety bond in favor of the State of Maryland, fund-raising notices and
contracts, and accounting reports for each campaign conducted on behalf of a charitable
organization.
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Public Safety Solicitor - a person or organization who, for pay, solicits or receives public safety contributions, personally or through another.
Public Safety Contributions are contributions solicited on behalf of a Public Safety Organization. Public Safety Organization means a person who is or
purports to be a fire-fighting, ambulance, rescue, police, fraternal, or other law enforcement organization. To comply with the Maryland
Solicitations Act, a Public Safety Solicitor must register separately for each Public Safety Organization with which they have a contract. Each application
must be filed annually, including a fee per application and Surety Bond in favor of the State of Maryland.
Failure to submit required items for registration indicates non-compliance with the
Act and the professional fund-raiser is not issued a new registration until all items are submitted. For
additional information on the registration requirements or a particular fund-raiser, please contact the
Charitable Organizations Division.
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