Definitions

As used in sections 407.450 to 407.478, the following terms shall mean: (1) "Charitable organization", any person, as defined in section 407.010, who does business in this state or holds property in this state for any charitable purpose and who engages in the activity of soliciting funds or donations for, or purported to be for, any fraternal, benevolent, social, educational, alumni, historical or other charitable purpose; (2) "Charitable purpose", any purpose which promotes, or purports to promote, directly or indirectly, the well-being of the public at large or any number of persons, whether such well-being is in general or limited to certain activities, endeavors or projects; (3) "Educational institution", a school, college or other institution which has a defined curriculum, student body and faculty, and which conducts classes on a regular basis; (4) "Professional fund-raiser", any person, as defined in section 407.010, who is retained under contract or otherwise compensated by or on behalf of a charitable organization primarily for the purpose of soliciting funds. The term "professional fund-raiser" shall not include any bona fide employee of a charitable organization who receives regular compensation and is not primarily employed for the purpose of soliciting funds; (5) "Religious organization", any society, sect, persuasion, mission, church, parish, congregation, temple, convention or association of any of the foregoing, diocese or presbytery, or other organization, whether or not incorporated, or any employee thereof, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private party or individual associated with such organization, and that otherwise qualifies as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of title 26, United States Code, as amended, that either: (a) Meets at more or less regular intervals for worship of a supreme being or higher power, or for mutual support or edification in piety or with respect to the idea that a minimum standard of behavior from the standpoint of overall morality is to be observed; or (b) Is, including but not limited to, any nursing, boarding, retirement, children's or orphan's home, or any foundation, commission, hospital, school, college, university, seminary, or other entity, which is owned, operated, controlled, supervised or principally supported by, or associated with through the sharing of common religious bonds and convictions, any organization which meets the requirements of this subdivision; (6) "Solicitation", any request or appeal, either oral or written, or any endeavor to obtain, seek or plead for funds, property, financial assistance or other thing of value, including the promise or grant of any money or property of any kind or value for a charitable purpose, but excluding: (a) Direct grants or allocation of funds received or solicited from any affiliated fund-raising organization by a member agency; and (b) Unsolicited contributions received from any individual donor, foundation, trust, governmental agency or other source, unless such contributions are received in conjunction with a solicitation drive.