Charitable Giving & Complaints

Ohio allows certain philanthropic and non-profit organizations limited use of gaming as a method of raising funds for charitable purposes. The state gives the Attorney General’s Office the authority to regulate charitable gaming and with the cooperation of local law enforcement officials, conduct investigations into allegations of violations of Ohio’s charitable gaming laws.

Charitable Organizations - Complaints

The Charitable Organizations Section accepts complaints against charitable organizations, non-profit hospitals or bingo licensees who may be in violation of Ohio Law. The section also accepts complaints against board members of certain state retirement boards for breach of fiduciary duty. Those boards are the public employees retirement board, the board of trustees of the Ohio Police and Fire pension fund, the school employees retirement board, the state teachers retirement board and the state highway patrol retirement board.

After receiving a complaint, the Attorney General's Office may conduct an investigation and take action as deemed appropriate. If you would like to file a complaint, please choose the type of complaint and one of the three methods indicated below:

1. You may download or print the PDF version of the appropriate complaint form, and mail it to the address below:
   
   • Charitable Organization Complaint
   • Non-profit Hospital Complaint
   • Charitable Bingo or Games of Chance Complaint
   • State Retirement Fiduciary Complaint
   Ohio Attorney General
   Charitable Law Section
   150 East Gay Street, 23rd Floor
   Columbus, Ohio 43215-3130
2. Or you may fax it to:
   
   614-466-9788
   Attention: Public Information Unit
3. You may call 614-466-3180 to request a complaint form, or we will be happy to take your complaint by phone and file it on your behalf.

Charitable Giving Links

• Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance
• National Charities Information Bureau
• The Internet NonProfit Center
• The Foundation Center
• The Philanthropy Journal Online
• The NonProfit Times
• GuideStar - Search Database of 501.(c)(3)Charitable Organizations

Contact Us

Attorney General's Office established the Charitable Law Public Information Unit to enhance our service to constituents. Staff is available during regular business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) at 614-466-3180, to answer your questions or to assist you in filing complaints against charitable organizations or bingo licensees.

The Public Information Unit responds to requests for public records, and also provides speakers, free of charge, to speak to groups regarding any of the topics above and more. A speaker may be requested either by calling our office or by completing this form.