Maine Library Licensure: Exempt Charitable Organization or Charitable Organization

Does the Maine Charitable Solicitations Act applies to Maine public libraries?

  • No, if your library is a town or city department .
  • Yes, if your library is a private library accepting donations from the public, then it should become licensed as either an Exempt Charitable Organization or a Charitable Organization.

Types of Licensure

Exempt Charitable Organization Licensure (for libraries raising less than $10,000 a year)

  • Library is NOT affiliated with a town, city or state
  • Eligibility for licensure as an Exempt Charitable Organization if you solicit and raise less than $10,000 a year.
  • The $10,000 includes bequests, memorial donations, and funds resulting from solicitation letters.
  • It does not include money received from a governmental agency (town, city or state).
  • The $10,000 does not include fines nor money received from selling things (e.g. book sales, bake sales, craft sales) so long as the sale of goods isn't promoted as a "charitable fundraiser," as people are purchasing and receiving something in exchange for their money.
  • See Exempt Charitable Organization, Office of Licensing and Registration under the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation for information to apply for this type of licensure.

Charitable Organization Licensure (for libraries raising more than $10,000 a year)

  • Library is NOT affiliated with a town, city or state
  • Libraries accepting more than $10,000 annually must become licensed as a Charitable Organization.
  • See Charitable Organization, Office of Licensing and Registration under the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation for information to apply for this type of licensure.
  • In order to apply to become a Charitable Organization, though, the library must first obtain tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code.
  • Tax Information for Charities & Other Non-Profits for IRS information on tax-exempt status