is it legal to casually raise money for a good cause and advertise it?

[Mckenna]

im trying to set up a charity for saving animals and their natural habitats but i don't want to go through all that contacting the secretary of state and junk. i just want to raise some money and find a way to donate it to some charity that is looking for peace with animals like i am. is it okay for me to advertise myself in a public place without paperwork and stuff? i am very serious about this and would like to start A.S.A.P. thanks so much and please answer appropriately..

[Pat]

IT IS A CRIME
AND YOU CAN GO TO JAIL.

It is illegal to solicit money from the public without a state-issued license.
And they only give those to valid nonprofit corporations with IRS 501.C.3 tax exempt status.

Each time you ask for money is a violation.
Each violation can get you a $1,000 fine AND a year in jail.
STOP DOING IT.

We can not allow just anyone to collect money from the public and claim they will "give it to poor people".

What the f00k is wrong with you?

[Jake]

You could more easily publicize the charity, but advice people to pay the charity directly, the possibility of you fraudulently collecting money for your own gain, (like the out of town people selling candy outside of the stores) is the biggest legal issue as well as putting people off from donating.
Just actively raising public awareness of the plight of animals, like a political campainer would also help your cause in a more indirect way.