Nonprofit organizations operating in Washington 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. Washington's charity registration process helps protect residents from fraudulent fundraising operations.
Donors in Washington can verify that a charity is properly registered with the state by contacting the Washington Attorney General's office or searching the state's online charity registration database before making a contribution.
Nonprofits seeking grant funding in Washington should explore state-level grant programs administered through the Washington Department of Health, Department of Education, or community services block grant programs. Many Washington foundations also fund local nonprofits through competitive grant cycles that typically open annually.