Consumers should contact the Charities Unit to find out if a charity is legitimate or not, and to determine what percentage of each donation actually goes to the charity and what percentage is spent on fundraising and/or administrative costs.

Even if the charity is legitimate, anywhere from 5% to 90% of a donation may be used to pay telemarketing companies that solicit for the charity.

Department of Consumer Protection
Public Charities Unit
450 Columbus Blvd., Ste. 801
Hartford, CT  06103

 Email: dcp.publiccharities@ct.gov

To form a non-profit organization, contact the Office of the Secretary of State to file appropriate organizational papers.  Tax filling status varies according to the type of non-profit.  There are many types of non-profits and this must be determined when filling out the corporation papers.

Connecticut Secretary of State
Business Services Division
165 Capitol Ave, Ste 1000
Hartford, CT 06106

Email: bsd@ct.gov