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.

Mail address:

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

Phone:       860-713-6170

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.

State of Connecticut Secretary of State
Commercial Recordings
30 Trinity Street
Hartford, Connecticut  06106