Ohioans are generous. Their volunteer efforts and financial gifts to various charitable organizations enhance the quality of life for everyone. Protecting these contributions is vital.

The Attorney General’s Office investigates complaints about non-profits, including:

• Misuse of charitable funds.
• Fraudulent fundraising activities.
• Violations of professional solicitation standards.
• Bingo and charitable gaming issues.
• Non-profit theft and embezzlement.
• Breaches of fiduciary duty by non-profit leaders.

Filing a complaint

Citizens can file a complaint online, by mail or by contacting the Help Center at (800) 282-0515. Providing as much information as possible – such as written materials, canceled checks and other documents that demonstrate the problem -- is helpful to investigators.

Investigators will contact the person who submitted the complaint to get any additional information. To file a complaint anonymously, call the Help Center at (800) 282-0515.

While these complaints are public records that can be released to the public on request, the investigative work that follows is confidential.

The results

Because of confidentiality requirements, a complainant may never learn of the final outcome of an investigation. The investigation may result in counseling and training of the non-profit, settlement discussions or civil and criminal litigation.