Registering a New Charity

Do I Need to Register?

Yes, you need to register with the Oregon Department of Justice if you are a:

  • corporation organized in Oregon as a public benefit nonprofit.
  • corporation organized in another state as a nonprofit which solicits, holds assets or does business in Oregon.
  • trust which holds assets in Oregon for charitable beneficiaries.
  • an association organized for charitable purposes.

No, you do NOT need to register with the Oregon DOJ if you are a:

  • church, house of worship or similar type of religious organization.
  • corporation organized in Oregon as a mutual benefit nonprofit, provided the corporation’s purposes are not charitable as defined in ORS128.620(4).
  • an educational institution which does not hold property in Oregon and limits solicitations to alumni of the institution.

For more information, consult the statutes and rules governing Oregon nonprofits.

How do I Register?


Download and complete one of the registration forms listed below. The forms are set up with fill-in-the-blank fields to make them easy to complete. (If you are an association, use the form for corporations). Mail, email, or fax the completed form and requested attachments to the address, email or fax number listed on the form.

If you are not sure if you need to register with the Oregon DOJ, please call us at 971-673-1880.