The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requires professional solicitors to post a $50,000 professional solicitor surety bond to ensure that they’ll perform their duties ethically and in accordance with the law.
The bond requirement is stated in Chapter 496 of Florida Statute Title XXXIII.
“A professional solicitor must, at the time of application or renewal of registration, file with and have approved by the Department a bond, to which the professional solicitor is the principal obligor in the sum of $50,000, with one or more sureties authorized to do business in this state. The professional solicitor must maintain the bond in effect as long as the registration is in effect; however, the liability of the surety under the bond must not exceed an all-time aggregate liability of $50,000. The bond, which may be in the form of a rider to a larger blanket liability bond, must be payable to the state and to any person who may have a cause of action against the principal obligor of the bond for any liability arising out of a violation by the obligor of any provision of ss. 496.401 – 496.424, F.S., or any rule adopted pursuant thereto. A sample surety bond can be accessed online at www.800helpfla.com. [496.410(4)]”
Click here to download Chapter 496 in its entirety.
Also called professional fundraiser bonds, charitable trusts bonds and charitable solicitation bonds, professional solicitor surety bonds are required by government agencies in many states before individuals can be licensed to raise funds within the state. These bonds typically ensure that all funds raised will be handled and distributed appropriately.
If you need a surety bond in Florida or any other state, you can contact an expert surety specialist online 24/7 or by phone at 1 (800) 308-4358 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m CST.
Professional solicitors in Florida will send their original bond form to:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Solicitation of Contributions Terry Lee Rhodes Building 2005 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500