US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

The following words and phrases used in this article shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is required by the context:

(1) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION. A person or nonprofit corporation who is or holds himself or herself out to be established for a benevolent, educational, philanthropic, humane, scientific, artistic, patriotic, social welfare or advocacy, public health, environmental, conservation, civic, or other eleemosynary purpose, or a person who employs a charitable appeal as the basis for any solicitation or appeal that suggests, directly, or indirectly, that the solicitation is for a charitable purpose. Charitable organization includes a person, chapter, branch, area office, or a similar affiliate, or agent of any of these, soliciting contributions within the state for a charitable organization or cause that has its principal place of business within or without the state.

(2) CHARITABLE PURPOSE. Any charitable, benevolent, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, scientific, artistic, public health, social welfare, advocacy, environmental, conservation, civic, or other eleemosynary purpose as defined and amended, from time to time, by the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) CONTAINER. Box, carton, package, receptacle, canister, jar, dispenser, or machine that offers a product for sale or distribution, for solicitation purposes.

(4) DISCLOSURE LABEL. A printed or typed notice affixed to a container, in a conspicuous place and accessible to the public, that is easily readable and legible that informs the public of the following:

a. The approximate annual percentage paid, if any, to any individual or organization to maintain, service, or collect the contributions raised by the solicitation.

b. The net percentage or sum annually paid for the most recent calendar year paid to the specific charitable purpose.

c. If the maintenance, service, and collection from the container is done by volunteers or by paid individuals.

(Acts 1995, No. 95-605, p. 1276, §1.)