# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 6. Charitable Organizations and Charitable Representatives

### Subtitle 4. Charitable Organizations

#### Section 6-401

(a) A charitable organization shall register and receive a registration letter from the Secretary of State before the charitable organization:

  (1) solicits charitable contributions in the State;

  (2) has charitable contributions solicited on its behalf in the State; or

  (3) solicits charitable contributions outside of the State, if the charitable organization is in the State.

(b) A separate registration statement and a registration letter is necessary before any of the following charitable organizations can solicit:

  (1) a federated fund-raising organization consisting of independent charitable organizations, including a united fund and a community chest, that:

    (i) have joined to solicit charitable contributions and distribute them among themselves; but

    (ii) keep their own operating authority and control; or

  (2) an independent charitable organization, including one that is a member of a federated fund-raising organization, unless it is specifically exempted or it does not solicit charitable contributions other than as a member of a federated fund-raising organization.

(c)

  (1) A parent organization shall submit a consolidated registration statement for the affiliates, branches, or chapters in the State that it coordinates, controls, or supervises.

  (2) An affiliate, branch, or chapter of a charitable organization shall:

    (i) report information needed for a consolidated registration statement to its parent organization;

    (ii) submit a separate registration statement; and

    (iii) receive a registration letter from the Secretary of State prior to soliciting.

  (3) For purposes of this subsection, an independent member agency of a federated fund-raising organization is not an affiliate, branch, or chapter.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)