{"id":116115,"date":"2026-02-12T07:02:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T15:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog?p=116115"},"modified":"2026-02-16T10:00:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:00:06","slug":"california-ab-488","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog\/california-ab-488","title":{"rendered":"California AB-488 and What It Means for Your Nonprofit"},"content":{"rendered":"

67%<\/a> of nonprofits worldwide fundraise online. With digital giving on the rise, the California Assembly Bill (AB) 488<\/a> was introduced to bring more clarity and oversight to the process. It sets out rules for how fundraising platforms and nonprofits collect, manage, and report donations from California residents.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re uncertain about the law\u2019s requirements and how it may impact your nonprofit, I\u2019m here to help. I\u2019ll also explain how to remain in good standing with the California Attorney General\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>What Is California AB-488?<\/h2>\n

The California Assembly Bill (AB) 488 is a law that affects any nonprofit soliciting and receiving donations from California residents. To stay compliant, nonprofits must be in good standing and maintain their 501(c)(3)<\/a> status with the California Attorney General, Franchise Tax Board, and IRS.<\/p>\n

Sometimes called the Charitable Solicitation Registration Act, it also requires online fundraising platforms like Donorbox<\/a> to ensure that nonprofits receiving charitable contributions from Californian donors are in good standing with the above-mentioned entities before enabling them to fundraise.<\/p>\n

CA AB-488 was initially signed on January 1, 2023, and the final regulations were approved on March 24, 2024. This law aims to ensure that contributions from Californian donors are used and distributed ethically<\/a>, based on their intended purpose.<\/p>\n

If your nonprofit is flagged as delinquent by the California Attorney General\u2019s office, you won\u2019t be permitted to accept donations from California residents until you rectify your status. Subsequently, your fundraising platform<\/a> can\u2019t facilitate any donations received until you are properly registered.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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<\/a>Does California AB-488 apply to your nonprofit?<\/h3>\n

If you run a California-based nonprofit<\/a> \u2013 or solicit and receive donations from Californian donors \u2013 then you must comply with the California (AB) 488 requirements.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>CA AB-488 Requirements<\/h2>\n

As I\u2019ve already mentioned, if you solicit and accept charitable donations from California donors, your nonprofit is considered to be fundraising under California state law \u2013 and must remain in good standing \u2013 no matter where you\u2019re based.<\/p>\n

You must therefore ensure that:<\/p>\n

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  1. Your organization\u2019s federal tax-exempt status has not been revoked by the IRS.<\/li>\n
  2. Your California tax-exempt status has not been revoked by the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB).<\/li>\n
  3. You are not prohibited from soliciting and receiving donations in California by the California Attorney General.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    <\/a>How to remain in good standing<\/h3>\n
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    <\/a>1. Meet the requirements of the California Attorney General\u2019s office<\/h4>\n

    Firstly, you must meet all the requirements of the California Attorney General\u2019s office to maintain your 501(c)(3) and good standing status \u2013 and avoid being considered delinquent.<\/p>\n

    Regularly check your organization\u2019s standing and review any potential missing requirements on the California Attorney General\u2019s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>2. File state and federal forms on time<\/h4>\n

    Submit the forms required by the California Attorney General\u2019s office, California Franchise Tax Board, and the IRS on time to maintain your tax-exempt and good standing status.<\/p>\n

    Consult with your legal advisor to determine which forms apply to your organization, but here’s a list of some the forms you may<\/em> need to file with each entity:<\/p>\n

    California Attorney General\u2019s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n