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Ohio Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond
The Ohio Attorney General requires professional solicitors and fundraising counsels to file a $25,000 Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond as a requisite of the Department's registration process.
At Jet Insurance Company, we provide the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond as an assurance to the Attorney General's Department that the licensee will honor the terms and conditions of their registration, as well as follow state charitable organization laws. This surety bond also acts as restitution for the Department and the public in cases of financial losses caused by the licensee violating regulations.
If you are registering for the first time or simply renewing your bond, Jet can help you acquire the necessary surety bond quickly and at an affordable price!
What Is the Lowest Price for the Ohio Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond?
At Jet, our prices for the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond start as low as $250 annually or a convenient $25 monthly price. The cost is based on a soft credit check of the applicant. You can also take a look at the chart below for additional 2- and 3-year bond terms at preferred tier rates.
| Bond Term | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $25 |
| 1 Year | $250 |
| 2 Years | $438 |
| 3 Years | $625 |
Our monthly payment option is exclusive to Jet, and allows you the easy option of providing your payment information only once without the worry of a renewal process. Your bond will remain active for as long as you'd like!
Why Is the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond Required?
The Attorney General’s Department is in charge of licensing and the regulation of businesses and individuals operating in the State of Ohio. The main goal of the Department is to ensure the safety of the public and the protection of the state’s economy.
The Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond is required for individuals, groups, and entities looking to operate as a professional solicitor or fundraising counsel to a charitable organization. This registration requisite was put in place to provide an extra layer of accountability of the licensee when it comes to abiding by the terms and conditions of their registration, as well as state charitable organization laws. The surety bond acts as a fiscal guarantee and ensures that the Department will be paid for all fees and penalties due, and any person of the public who has suffered losses due to the licensee committing violations may pursue restitution per the surety bond as well.
The Attorney General’s Department does allow exemptions to the registration and Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond requirement. Charitable organizations that meet the following qualifications are not required to obtain a surety bond:
- Any charity, organization, agency, or entity that is operated by a religious organization
- When solicitation of charitable contributions is confined to only existing members, present or former employees, or present or former trustees
- Educational institutions (includes public primary or secondary schools), when solicitation of contributions is confined to alumni, faculty, trustees, or the student membership and their families
- Booster clubs that are organized and operated with and for the benefit of students of public primary or secondary schools
- Any charitable organization that does not receive gross revenue, excluding grants or awards given by the government
- Fundraising counsels of a charitable organization that do not partake in the custody of charitable contributions from a solicitation
- Charitable organizations that:
- have been continuously registered in Ohio for a period of two years
- the IRS has stated through a letter that the charitable organization is currently exempt form federal income taxation
- registered with the Attorney General as a charitable trust
Further details about qualifications and organizations exempt from registration and the necessary surety bond requirement can be found in Section 1716.03 of the Ohio Legislative Code.
How to Apply for the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond With Jet
The Jet team has created a fast and easy application for the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond. Just fill out the necessary contact information and provide your personal social security number. A quick credit check to determine an approved rate for you ? but don't worry, this is only a soft check and won't affect your credit score.
Once you have completed the application process and chosen your preferred bond term option, simply fulfill payment directly online. A Jet team member will then immediately email you over a copy of your bond and receipt.
How Is the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond Filed in Ohio?
The Ohio Attorney General’s Department requires a copy of the signed and sealed Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond to be submitted online with your registration paperwork through their Professional Solicitors and Fundraising Counsel Registration Portal.
Once you have completed payment for your bond, Jet will quickly mail you the original form (as well as email you a copy) so that you can start the process stated above. If you are in need of further details or assistance, the Attorney General’s Department mailing address and contact information can be found below.
Attorney General
Charitable Law Section
150 E. Gay St. 23rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
800-282-0515
Can I Cancel My Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond and Get a Refund?
Yes! You may cancel your bond with Jet at any time. Simply send us an email request at [email protected] and we will begin the bond termination process. Written notice of the bond’s termination will be filed with the Attorney General’s Department. Once received, liability of your bond will be released within 30 days.
If you choose to pay for the bond in full, Jet will reimburse any premium left on the bond term once the grace period has ended. For monthly payments, a refund is not provided, but payments will of course cease once the 30-day period has officially ended.
How to Renew the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond
Monthly payment bondholders don't have to worry about the renewal process! Your bond will remain active until cancellation is sought.
For those who choose to pay up front and in full for the bond, Jet will send you a renewal invoice in advance of when it is time to renew. Simply complete payment and you're all set!
According to the Attorney General, the active registration period for professional solicitors and fundraising counsels ends on March 31st annually. In order to qualify for renewal of registration before then, you must have an active bond on file.
How Does a Licensee Avoid Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond Claims?
Individuals, groups, and entities registered as a professional solicitor or fundraising counsel in Ohio are expected to abide by the terms of their license input by the Attorney General, as well as state regulations pursuant to Ohio Legislative Code 1716. A violation of this code may lead to penalties such as large fees, a loss of license (a 5-year ban from qualifying for registration will ensue), possible misdemeanor charges depending on the severity of the misconduct, and a bond claim.
A claim can be filed on behalf of the Attorney General’s Department if the licensee fails to pay all registration fees and/or late payments due. Additional penalties may be inflicted upon the professional solicitor or fundraising counsel.
A person of the public may take civil action against the professional solicitor or fundraising counsel if they have suffered financial losses due to the licensees violations. For example, misleading the person in any way that contributions made will be used for charitable purposes, or failing to forward the entirety of their proceeds from the solicitation to funds for the charitable organization.
If the damaged person takes civil action and a judge rules in their favor, your bond will be used to cover the financial losses they suffered by your wrongdoing. Once this judgment has been reported, the Attorney General will proceed with their own penalties upon the licensee.
It is in your best interest to always follow regulations and to try and resolve any violation with the Department or public before large penalties and a bond claim are pursued against you.
What Happens if I Get a Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond Claim?
Upon receiving confirmation of a bond claim, immediately contact Jet with all available claim information and documentation for our review. Once a Jet team member has briefed you on our claim process, we will begin our investigation of the claim.
If your bond’s claim is found to be valid, Jet Insurance Company is legally obligated per the Professional Solicitor and Fundraising Counsel Bond form to make payment up to the $25,000 limit. Since the bond acts as an extension of your credit, you are ultimately responsible for your actions and must pay Jet back for your paid out claim. Failure to do so will lead to future difficulties obtaining surety bonds in Ohio.
