Charitable organizations that solicit donations in Virginia can now file their required registration documents online through a new state platform.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched the digital system, called Evoke, this month through its Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs, which oversees charitable solicitations statewide.

Any organization that intends to solicit contributions in Virginia — or have funds solicited on its behalf — is required to register with the office unless exempt under state law. More than 13,000 charities, professional solicitors and fundraising counsels are currently registered in the Commonwealth. Previously, registration required paper filing and records could only be obtained by contacting VDACS directly.

With Evoke, organizations can file electronically and the public can search and access charity records through the online database — making it easier for donors to research an organization before contributing. The system is also expected to reduce processing times, help charities track their registration status and cut down on overpayments and incomplete applications.

“VDACS continues to modernize its technology and procedures to better serve residents of the Commonwealth,” said VDACS Commissioner Charles Green. “This online platform will be put to use across a range of VDACS programs in the future, making services more efficient and easier to use.”

Each charity will receive direct communication from the office about how to use Evoke before its next renewal date. For more information, visit vdacs.virginia.gov/food-charitable-solicitation.shtml.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.