End-of-Year Deadlines for Commercial Co-Venturers

As 2023 comes to a close, it's time to ensure your compliance responsibilities and financial records are in order. If you've launched any cause marketing initiatives this year, chances are you fall under the category of a commercial co-venturer. Whether you're already aware of this designation or it’s news to you, you’ll want to pay attention very closely.

Does this apply to me?

If you orchestrated campaigns promoting that a public event or the sale of a product or service will contribute, even in part, to a charitable cause, you need to register and report properly in a variety of states. Any campaign in which your for-profit company generates revenue by using a nonprofit’s name and likeness in advertising qualifies you as a commercial co-venture in most states.

And, if you plan to run cause marketing campaigns in 2024, you’ll want to make sure that you’re renewing your registration.

So, you’ve got three important elements to consider, each incurring their own costs:

1. Registration
2. Annual renewal of that registration
3. Annual financial reports

To guide you through this process and ensure a seamless transition into the new year, here are the essential dates and states to be mindful of as we approach the end of 2023.

Which U.S. states have end-of-year registration renewal deadlines?

California 

Required filings:

Registration (Form CT-5CF) – Registration and renewal is required prior to soliciting any funds in California for charitable purposes, or prior to January 15th of each year.

• Deadline: January 15, 2024
• Cost: $500

Annual Financial Report (Form CT-6CF) – Commercial coventurers must file an annual financial report for each campaign conducted for each charity during a calendar year.

• Deadline: January 30, 2024
• Cost: $0

Massachusetts 

Required filings:

Registration (Form 10) – Necessary for renewals, too

• Deadline: December 31, 2023
• Cost: $200

Addendum to Registration (Form 10B) – Must also include a copy of each fundraising contract to be filed with registration or within 10 days of signing and prior to the commencement of any co-venturing activity.

Annual Financial Report (Form 11B) – This form is to be filed for each Form 10B filed, and covers the financial activity for a single calendar year. It is due by February 28 of the year following the reporting year.

• Deadline: February 28, 2024
• Cost: $0

$25,000 bond (Form 9)

There’s one other state that has a hard deadline for renewing your CCV registration, but it’s later in the year:

Alabama

Registration (online application) – For initial registration and annually thereafter. Use the online application to register and renew your CCV.

• Deadline: September 30, 2024
• Cost: $100

Annual Financial Report – CCVs must file a closing statement within 90 days of the termination of a contract with a charitable organization.

What about the other states?

South Carolina doesn’t have a universal hard deadline for registration renewal; rather, the renewal deadline depends on when you first registered as a commercial co-venturer. Check your records to make sure you are up-to-date on that renewal!

The remaining states do not require CCV registration. However, some do have deadlines for filing contracts and reporting finances for each campaign you launch. These states include Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Utah. Before you run any cause marketing campaign or charitable sales promotion, make sure you understand what each state requires by checking their Attorney General’s official websites.

I’m overwhelmed. What should I do first?

Talk to us! We’d love to help you in your donations compliance journey. Book a call with us today.