Illinois Attorney General Launches Online Portal for Charitable Organizations

Strategic Insights -

The Office of Illinois Attorney General has introduced a new online portal and updated database to streamline the process of charitable organization registration and improve transparency for potential donors. The initiative aims to enhance compliance with state law and provide better access to information on charitable organizations. With the new online filing system, charitable organizations can easily fill out and submit required forms, request filing extensions, and pay fees electronically. The updated Charitable Trust Database now offers enhanced real-time information on charities, enabling potential donors to make informed decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new online portal allows charitable organizations to fill out and submit required forms, request filing extensions, and pay fees electronically, reducing the need for paper submissions and checks.
  • The updated Charitable Trust Database provides public access to real-time information on charitable organizations, enabling potential donors to research and verify charities before making donations.
  • Approximately 35,000 charitable organizations are currently registered with the Office of Illinois Attorney General, with around 150 to 200 new organizations filing each month.
  • The new online system is entirely paperless, providing an online account for charitable organizations to track the status of submissions, request extensions, and obtain letters of good standing.
  • The Charitable Trust Bureau reviews transactions involving charitable assets, investigates breaches of fiduciary duty, and brings court actions when necessary to ensure compliance with state law.
  • An online filing system for professional fundraisers and consultants is currently in development.

Statistics:

  • 35,000 charitable organizations are currently registered with the Office of Illinois Attorney General.
  • 150 to 200 new charitable organizations file to become registered each month.
  • The new online portal is entirely paperless, reducing the need for paper submissions and checks.
  • The updated Charitable Trust Database provides real-time information on charitable organizations.
  • The Charitable Trust Bureau receives calls to the office's website (312-814-2595) for more information on the new system.

Sources:

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"Attorney General Kwame Raoul Announces New Online Portal for Charitable Organizations." News release, Office of Illinois Attorney General, April 2023.