Definitions
These are the definitions for words used in Missouri's laws about charitable fundraising. A 'charitable organization' is any group that collects donations for a good cause like education or helping people. A 'professional fund-raiser' is someone paid by a charity mainly to ask people for money — but a regular paid employee of the charity does not count. A 'religious organization' is a church or similar group that holds worship or is connected to one, as long as it qualifies as tax-exempt and no profits go to private individuals. A 'solicitation' is any request for money or donations for a charitable cause, but does not include unsolicited gifts or money passed between related charities.
407.453. Definitions. — As used in sections 407.450 to 407.478, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "", any person, as defined in section 407.010, who does business in this state or holds property in this state for any and who engages in the activity of soliciting s or donations for, or purported to be for, any , benevolent, social, educational, alumni, historical or other charitable purpose;
(2) "Charitable purpose", any purpose which promotes, or to promote, directly or indirectly, the well-being of the public at large or any number of persons, whether such well-being is in general or limited to certain activities, endeavors or projects;
(3) "Educational institution", a school, college or other institution which has a defined , student body and faculty, and which conducts classes on a regular basis;
(4) "", any person, as defined in section 407.010, who is retained under contract or otherwise compensated by or on behalf of a charitable organization primarily for the purpose of soliciting funds. The term "professional fund-raiser" shall not include any of a charitable organization who receives regular and is not primarily employed for the purpose of soliciting funds;
(5) "Religious organization", any society, sect, persuasion, mission, church, parish, congregation, temple, or association of any of the foregoing, or , or other organization, whether or not incorporated, or any employee thereof, no part of the of which of any private or individual associated with such organization, and that otherwise qualifies as an under section 501(c)(3) of 26, United States Code, as amended, that either:
(a) Meets at more or less regular intervals for worship of a supreme being or higher power, or for mutual support or in or with respect to the idea that a minimum standard of behavior from the standpoint of overall morality is to be observed; or
(b) Is, including but not limited to, any nursing, boarding, retirement, children's or orphan's home, or any foundation, , hospital, school, college, university, , or other , which is owned, operated, controlled, supervised or principally supported by, or associated with through the sharing of common religious bonds and , any organization which meets the requirements of this ;
(6) "", any request or , either oral or written, or any endeavor to obtain, seek or for funds, property, financial assistance or other thing of value, including the promise or of any money or property of any kind or value for a charitable purpose, but excluding:
(a) Direct or of funds received or from any fund-raising organization by a ; and
(b) received from any individual donor, foundation, trust, governmental agency or other source, unless such contributions are received in conjunction with a solicitation drive.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1986 S.B. 685) Effective 5-01-86
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.