About.com has a good article about "countless charities" ignoring state solicitation laws. Quick test for webmasters - do you know what your state's laws say about soliciting charitable donations online? Many charitable organizations fail to follow the rules offline as well as online. I can't count the number of charities with collection jars at various small convenience stores. Only occasionally when I see them do they have the statements that are required by Colorado law. I would hazard a guess that many well-meaning boards of directors and corporate executives for charitable organizations don't know the laws exist.

Many very effective charitable organizations are run by member boards. They do not have the resources or need to hire an outside director or firm to run the business side of the organization. Unfortunately many of the boards of these groups are not selected for their business savvy or understanding of the complex issues related to running a charitable organization.