Florida
Overall Free to Give Index 4.92/10
Rank 29th
Category Score (0–10) Rank (50 states)
Overall Free to Give Index 4.92 29th
Broad Policy Environment 5.49 13th
Nonprofit Freedom 3.63 45th
Donor Confidence 5.63 18th

Highlights

  • Moderately strong policy environment: Florida ranks 13th in the Broad Policy Environment, scoring high on tax competitiveness and economic freedom indices, but weak on measures of occupational freedom.
  • Heavy registration and filing burdens: Florida ranks 45th in Nonprofit Freedom due to required registration, annual renewals, and high fees—including a top registration fee of $400.
  • Solid performance in donor confidence: With a rank of 18th in Donor Confidence, the state benefits from a predictable regulatory structure.
  • Lack of privacy protections: In addition to Florida introducing donor disclosure laws in recent years, it doesn’t have laws on the books that protect donor privacy going forward.

Detailed Scorecard

1. Broad Policy Environment

1A. Occupational Freedom (rescaled 0 to 10) 1.00
1B. Tax Competitiveness (rescaled 0 to 10) 7.84
1C. EFNA (0 to 10) 7.64

2. Nonprofit Freedom

2A. Charitable Startup Regulations

Requires charitable registration? Yes
Top Registration Fee $400.00
Minimum Registration Fee $10.00
Top Incorporation Fee $70.00
Minimum Incorporation Fee $70.00

2B. Charitable Reporting Regulations

Requires Annual Report? Yes
Top Annual Fee $400.00
Minimum Annual Fee $10.00
Requires Additional Corporate Filings No
Other Fees $0.00
Tiered Fee Structure Yes
Overlapping Regulators No

2C. Paid Solicitor Requirements

Commercial Fundraisers Must Register with the State Yes
Paid Solicitor Registration Fee $300.00
Paid Solicitor Renewal Fee $300.00
Surety Bond for Professional Fundraisers $50,000.00
Must Paid Solicitors Required to Report to the State in Order to Start Fundraising? Yes
Fundraising Consultant Registration Required Yes
Annual Financial Reporting by Commercial Fundraisers Required Yes
Must File Contracts Between Charities and Commercial Fundraisers Yes
Individual solicitors employed by professional fundraisers must register separately? Yes

2D. General Audit threshold (revenue)

General Audit threshold (revenue) $1,000,000.00

3. Donor Confidence

3A. State has Never Introduced Disclosure No
3B. State has Privacy Law No
3C. State gives Donors Standing No
3D. State has UPMIFA Protections Yes (weak)
3E. Donations are Generally Deductible Yes
3F. General Sales Tax Exemption Yes
3G. State has Never Proposed DAF Restrictions Yes
3H. New Regulations Require Legislative Approval Yes