Nonprofit organizations operating in Puerto Rico must register with the state attorney general's charitable trust section and comply with state solicitation licensing requirements in addition to meeting federal IRS requirements for tax-exempt status. Puerto Rico's charity registration process helps protect residents from fraudulent fundraising operations.
Donors in Puerto Rico can verify that a charity is properly registered with the state by contacting the Puerto Rico Attorney General's office or searching the state's online charity registration database before making a contribution.
Nonprofits seeking grant funding in Puerto Rico should explore state-level grant programs administered through the Puerto Rico Department of Health, Department of Education, or community services block grant programs. Many Puerto Rico foundations also fund local nonprofits through competitive grant cycles that typically open annually.