{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/57-54.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/57-54.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/57-54.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/57-54.html"}],"law_id":71322,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71322,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-54","catch_line":"Contracts between charitable or civic organizations and professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitors","history":"1974, c. 574; 1979, c. 595; 1983, c. 374; 1988, c. 322; 2023, c. 289.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery contract or agreement between professional fund-raising counsel and a charitable or civic organization shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Commissioner within 10 days after such contract or written agreement is entered into.B\n\nEvery contract, or a written statement of the nature of the arrangement to prevail in the absence of a contract, between a professional solicitor and a charitable or civic organization shall be filed with the Commissioner at least 10 days prior to commencement of the contract.C\n\nAll agreements and arrangements between professional fund-raising counsel and charitable or civic organizations shall be reduced to writing before executed or acted upon.D\n\nAny contract between a professional solicitor and a charitable or civic organization shall specify the percentage of gross contributions that the charitable or civic organization will receive or the terms upon which a determination can be made as to the amount of the gross revenue from the solicitation campaign that the charitable or civic organization will receive. If a reasonable estimate is used to make such determination, the contract shall clearly disclose the assumptions or the formula upon which the estimate is based; however, if a fixed percentage is used, such percentage shall exclude any amount that the charitable or civic organization is to pay as an expense of the solicitation campaign, including the cost of any merchandise or services sold. The professional solicitor shall, at the conclusion of a charitable appeal, provide to the charitable or civic organization a final accounting of all expenditures. Such final accounting may not be used in violation of any state or federal trade secret laws. The contract shall disclose the average percentage of gross contributions collected on behalf of charitable or civic organizations that such organizations received from the professional solicitor for the three years preceding the year in which the contract was formed. The contract shall also specify that at least every 90 days the professional solicitor shall provide the charitable or civic organization with access to and use of all information in the professional solicitor’s possession concerning contributors, including the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of each contributor and the date and amount of each contribution. A professional solicitor shall not restrict a charitable or civic organization’s use of any such contributor information.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":257103,"text":"Every contract or agreement between professional fund-raising counsel and a charitable or civic organization shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Commissioner within 10 days after such contract or written agreement is entered into.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":257104,"text":"Every contract, or a written statement of the nature of the arrangement to prevail in the absence of a contract, between a professional solicitor and a charitable or civic organization shall be filed with the Commissioner at least 10 days prior to commencement of the contract.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":257105,"text":"All agreements and arrangements between professional fund-raising counsel and charitable or civic organizations shall be reduced to writing before executed or acted upon.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":257106,"text":"Any contract between a professional solicitor and a charitable or civic organization shall specify the percentage of gross contributions that the charitable or civic organization will receive or the terms upon which a determination can be made as to the amount of the gross revenue from the solicitation campaign that the charitable or civic organization will receive. If a reasonable estimate is used to make such determination, the contract shall clearly disclose the assumptions or the formula upon which the estimate is based; however, if a fixed percentage is used, such percentage shall exclude any amount that the charitable or civic organization is to pay as an expense of the solicitation campaign, including the cost of any merchandise or services sold. The professional solicitor shall, at the conclusion of a charitable appeal, provide to the charitable or civic organization a final accounting of all expenditures. Such final accounting may not be used in violation of any state or federal trade secret laws. The contract shall disclose the average percentage of gross contributions collected on behalf of charitable or civic organizations that such organizations received from the professional solicitor for the three years preceding the year in which the contract was formed. The contract shall also specify that at least every 90 days the professional solicitor shall provide the charitable or civic organization with access to and use of all information in the professional solicitor’s possession concerning contributors, including the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of each contributor and the date and amount of each contribution. A professional solicitor shall not restrict a charitable or civic organization’s use of any such contributor information.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13962,"edition_id":1,"name":"Solicitation of Contributions","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13324,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:26","permalink":{"id":251837,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13962,"identifier":"5","token":"57\/5","url":"\/57\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13324,"edition_id":1,"name":"Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries","identifier":"57","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:39","permalink":{"id":251501,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13324,"identifier":"57","token":"57","url":"\/57\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":78101,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-48","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/57-48\/","token":"57\/5\/57-48","metadata":false},{"id":86486,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-49","catch_line":"Registration of charitable organizations; prohibition against support of terrorists","url":"\/57-49\/","token":"57\/5\/57-49","metadata":false},{"id":65471,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-50","catch_line":"Reciprocal agreements with other states; online filing","url":"\/57-50\/","token":"57\/5\/57-50","metadata":false},{"id":83732,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-51","catch_line":"Nonresident registration","url":"\/57-51\/","token":"57\/5\/57-51","metadata":false},{"id":65077,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-52","catch_line":"Publication of warnings concerning certain charitable and civic organizations","url":"\/57-52\/","token":"57\/5\/57-52","metadata":false},{"id":64262,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-52.1","catch_line":"Publication of warnings concerning solicitation by professional solicitors","url":"\/57-52.1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-52.1","metadata":false},{"id":58234,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-53","catch_line":"Records to be kept by charitable organizations","url":"\/57-53\/","token":"57\/5\/57-53","metadata":false},{"id":71322,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-54","catch_line":"Contracts between charitable or civic organizations and professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitors","url":"\/57-54\/","token":"57\/5\/57-54","metadata":false},{"id":81155,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/57-55\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55","metadata":false},{"id":73486,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/57-55.1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.1","metadata":false},{"id":62382,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.2","catch_line":"Charitable solicitation disclosure","url":"\/57-55.2\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.2","metadata":false},{"id":57634,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.2:1","catch_line":"Solicitations by for-profit organizations","url":"\/57-55.2_1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":87184,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.3","catch_line":"Disclosure regarding financial statement required","url":"\/57-55.3\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.3","metadata":false},{"id":70988,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55.4","catch_line":"Collection receptacles; required disclosures","url":"\/57-55.4\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55.4","metadata":false},{"id":71585,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-56","catch_line":"Information filed to become public records","url":"\/57-56\/","token":"57\/5\/57-56","metadata":false},{"id":61492,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-57","catch_line":"Prohibited acts","url":"\/57-57\/","token":"57\/5\/57-57","metadata":false},{"id":83525,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-58","catch_line":"Ratio of fund-raising expenses to contributions to be included in registration statement","url":"\/57-58\/","token":"57\/5\/57-58","metadata":false},{"id":87099,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-59","catch_line":"Enforcement of chapter; seizure of property connected with terrorism; penalties","url":"\/57-59\/","token":"57\/5\/57-59","metadata":false},{"id":57956,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-60","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/57-60\/","token":"57\/5\/57-60","metadata":false},{"id":87040,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-61","catch_line":"Registration of professional fund-raising counsels and solicitors","url":"\/57-61\/","token":"57\/5\/57-61","metadata":false},{"id":82886,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-61.1","catch_line":"Time and effect of registration","url":"\/57-61.1\/","token":"57\/5\/57-61.1","metadata":false},{"id":77549,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-61.2","catch_line":"Commercial co-ventures","url":"\/57-61.2\/","token":"57\/5\/57-61.2","metadata":false},{"id":84845,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-62","catch_line":"Liability imposed by other laws not decreased","url":"\/57-62\/","token":"57\/5\/57-62","metadata":false},{"id":58452,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-63","catch_line":"Local ordinances","url":"\/57-63\/","token":"57\/5\/57-63","metadata":false},{"id":87043,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-64","catch_line":"Out-of-state enforcement proceedings","url":"\/57-64\/","token":"57\/5\/57-64","metadata":false},{"id":57627,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-65","catch_line":"Fees and charges","url":"\/57-65\/","token":"57\/5\/57-65","metadata":false},{"id":68709,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-66","catch_line":"Rules and regulations; model ordinance","url":"\/57-66\/","token":"57\/5\/57-66","metadata":false},{"id":55022,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-67","catch_line":"Application to court for relief","url":"\/57-67\/","token":"57\/5\/57-67","metadata":false},{"id":59430,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-68","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/57-68\/","token":"57\/5\/57-68","metadata":false},{"id":85676,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-69","catch_line":"Effective date","url":"\/57-69\/","token":"57\/5\/57-69","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":58234,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-53","catch_line":"Records to be kept by charitable organizations","url":"\/57-53\/","token":"57\/5\/57-53","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":81155,"structure_id":13962,"section_number":"57-55","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/57-55\/","token":"57\/5\/57-55","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/57-54\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1974. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 574 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1974 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1979, chapter 595; in 1983, chapter 374; in 1988, chapter 322; in 2023, chapter 289<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82886,"section_number":"57-61.1","catch_line":"Time and effect of registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/57-61.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":251867,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71322,"identifier":"57-54","token":"57\/5\/57-54","url":"\/57-54\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/57-54\/","token":"57\/5\/57-54","dublin_core":{"Title":"Contracts between charitable or civic organizations and professional fund-raising counsel or professional solicitors","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 57-54","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every contract<\/span> or agreement between professional fund-raising counsel<\/span> and a charitable or civic organization<\/span> shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Commissioner<\/span> within 10 days after such contract<\/span> or written agreement is entered into. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every contract<\/span>, or a written statement of the nature of the arrangement to prevail in the absence of a contract<\/span>, between a professional solicitor<\/span> and a charitable or civic organization<\/span> shall be filed with the Commissioner<\/span> at least 10 days prior to commencement of the contract<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> All agreements and arrangements between professional fund-raising counsel<\/span> and charitable or civic organizations<\/span> shall be reduced to writing before executed or acted upon. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any contract<\/span> between a professional solicitor<\/span> and a charitable or civic organization<\/span> shall specify the percentage of gross contributions<\/span> that the charitable or civic organization<\/span> will receive or the terms upon which a determination can be made as to the amount of the gross revenue from the solicitation<\/span> campaign that the charitable or civic organization<\/span> will receive. If a reasonable estimate is used to make such determination, the contract<\/span> shall clearly disclose the assumptions or the formula upon which the estimate is based; however, if a fixed percentage is used, such percentage shall exclude any amount that the charitable or civic organization<\/span> is to pay as an expense of the solicitation<\/span> campaign, including the cost of any merchandise or services sold<\/span>. The professional solicitor<\/span> shall, at the conclusion of a charitable appeal<\/span>, provide to the charitable or civic organization<\/span> a final accounting of all expenditures. Such final accounting may not be used in violation of any state or federal trade secret laws<\/span>. The contract<\/span> shall disclose the average percentage of gross contributions<\/span> collected on behalf of charitable or civic organizations<\/span> that such organizations received from the professional solicitor<\/span> for the three years preceding the year in which the contract<\/span> was formed. The contract<\/span> shall also specify that at least every 90 days the professional solicitor<\/span> shall provide the charitable or civic organization<\/span> with access to and use of all information in the professional solicitor<\/span>’s possession<\/span> concerning contributors, including the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of each contributor and the date and amount of each contribution<\/span>. A professional solicitor<\/span> shall not restrict a charitable or civic organization<\/span>’s use of any such contributor information. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONTRACTS BETWEEN CHARITABLE OR CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL\nFUND-RAISING COUNSEL OR PROFESSIONAL SOLICITORS (\u00a7 57-54)\n\nA. Every contract or agreement between professional fund-raising counsel and a\ncharitable or civic organization shall be in writing and shall be filed with the\nCommissioner within 10 days after such contract or written agreement is entered\ninto.\n\nB. Every contract, or a written statement of the nature of the arrangement to\nprevail in the absence of a contract, between a professional solicitor and a\ncharitable or civic organization shall be filed with the Commissioner at least\n10 days prior to commencement of the contract.\n\nC. All agreements and arrangements between professional fund-raising counsel and\ncharitable or civic organizations shall be reduced to writing before executed or\nacted upon.\n\nD. Any contract between a professional solicitor and a charitable or civic\norganization shall specify the percentage of gross contributions that the\ncharitable or civic organization will receive or the terms upon which a\ndetermination can be made as to the amount of the gross revenue from the\nsolicitation campaign that the charitable or civic organization will receive. If\na reasonable estimate is used to make such determination, the contract shall\nclearly disclose the assumptions or the formula upon which the estimate is\nbased; however, if a fixed percentage is used, such percentage shall exclude any\namount that the charitable or civic organization is to pay as an expense of the\nsolicitation campaign, including the cost of any merchandise or services sold.\nThe professional solicitor shall, at the conclusion of a charitable appeal,\nprovide to the charitable or civic organization a final accounting of all\nexpenditures. Such final accounting may not be used in violation of any state or\nfederal trade secret laws. The contract shall disclose the average percentage of\ngross contributions collected on behalf of charitable or civic organizations\nthat such organizations received from the professional solicitor for the three\nyears preceding the year in which the contract was formed. The contract shall\nalso specify that at least every 90 days the professional solicitor shall\nprovide the charitable or civic organization with access to and use of all\ninformation in the professional solicitor’s possession concerning\ncontributors, including the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone\nnumber of each contributor and the date and amount of each contribution. A\nprofessional solicitor shall not restrict a charitable or civic\norganization’s use of any such contributor information.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 574; 1979, c. 595; 1983, c. 374; 1988, c. 322; 2023, c. 289.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}