Weak nonprofit freedom: Wisconsin ranks 31st in Nonprofit Freedom, reflecting mandatory registration, annual renewals, multiple fees, and significant reporting requirements for charities and fundraising professionals.
Weak protections: The state provides no donor standing, no donor privacy protections, and maintains very weak UPMIFA safeguards, limiting protections for donors and charitable assets.
Middling broad policy environment: Wisconsin ranks 24th in the Broad Policy Environment, offering a less competitive economic climate compared with many higher-performing states.
Detailed Scorecard
1. Broad Policy Environment
1A. Occupational Freedom (rescaled 0 to 10)
2.67
1B. Tax Competitiveness (rescaled 0 to 10)
4.22
1C. EFNA (0 to 10)
6.86
2. Nonprofit Freedom
2A. Charitable Startup Regulations
Requires charitable registration?
Yes
Top Registration Fee
$15.00
Minimum Registration Fee
$15.00
Top Incorporation Fee
$15.00
Minimum Incorporation Fee
$15.00
2B. Charitable Reporting Regulations
Requires Annual Report?
Yes
Top Annual Fee
$100.00
Minimum Annual Fee
$15.00
Requires Additional Corporate Filings
No
Other Fees
$0.00
Tiered Fee Structure
Yes
Overlapping Regulators
Yes
2C. Paid Solicitor Requirements
Commercial Fundraisers Must Register with the State
Yes
Paid Solicitor Registration Fee
$50.00
Paid Solicitor Renewal Fee
$107.00
Surety Bond for Professional Fundraisers
$20,000.00
Are Paid Solicitors Required to Report to the State in Order to Start Fundraising?
Yes
Fundraising Consultant Registration Required
Conditionally
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?