Which States Only Give Event Liquor Permits to Nonprofits?
Quick answer
In 27 of the 50 states we verified, the main one-day event permit is limited to nonprofits; in 18 it is open to other organizers too, and 5 do not say clearly. Where it is nonprofit-only, a private host or business would need a licensed caterer or venue instead; check the state page.
At a glance
- Nonprofit only
- 27
- Open to others
- 18
- Not stated
- 5
By state
Who can apply.
| State | Who can apply | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | — | No |
| Alaska | Qualifying nonprofit organizations | Yes |
| Arizona | 501(c) nonprofit organizations (charitable, fraternal, religious, educational), government entities, and political parties or campaign committees | Yes |
| Arkansas | Functions sponsored by or for the benefit of non-profit or charitable organizations | Yes |
| California | Existing nonprofit organizations, including charitable, civic, cultural, fraternal, patriotic, political, religious, social or amateur sports organizations | Yes |
| Colorado | Nonprofit social, fraternal, patriotic, political, educational or athletic organizations incorporated in Colorado; chartered branches or lodges of national nonprofit organizations; religious or philanthropic institutions; state institutions of higher education; registered political candidates; municipalities, counties and special districts; chambers of commerce | No |
| Connecticut | Bona fide noncommercial entities (academic institutions, charities, government and nonprofit organizations), clubs or golf country clubs; no for-profit business may be the backer | Yes |
| Delaware | IRS-registered nonprofit social, civic or educational groups, including social welfare organizations, business leagues, veterans organizations, fraternal orders, religious organizations and registered political organizations | Yes |
| Florida | Bona fide nonprofit civic organizations, charitable organizations, municipalities and counties | — |
| Georgia | Bona fide nonprofit civic organizations exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. 501(c), (d) or (e) | Yes |
| Hawaii | Nonprofit organizations, political candidates and political parties | Yes |
| Idaho | Non-profit organizations holding a fundraiser | Yes |
| Illinois | Educational, fraternal, political, civic, religious or other not-for-profit organizations | Yes |
| Indiana | — | — |
| Iowa | — | No |
| Kansas | Any organization or person | No |
| Kentucky | A regularly organized fair, exposition, racing association, nonprofit organization or political campaign function; or a for-profit applicant in conjunction with an organized civic or community-sponsored event | No |
| Louisiana | Type A: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(8) tax-exempt organizations; Type B: other non-profit organizations; Type C: all other persons or organizations | No |
| Maine | Incorporated civic organizations | Yes |
| Maryland | A person holding an entertainment event conducted by a club; apply to the local licensing board of the county where the event is held | — |
| Massachusetts | Any enterprise for wine and/or malt beverages; all alcoholic beverages for non-profit organizations only | No |
| Michigan | Nonprofit organizations authorized to do business in Michigan | Yes |
| Minnesota | Clubs or charitable, religious or other nonprofit organizations in existence at least three years; registered political committees; state universities | Yes |
| Mississippi | Nonprofit charity or civic organizations | Yes |
| Missouri | Any church, school, civic, service, fraternal, veteran, political or charitable club or organization | Yes |
| Montana | Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) civic leagues, 501(c)(6) chambers of commerce, accredited Montana post-secondary schools, charities raising funds for a person in need) | Yes |
| Nebraska | Nonprofit organizations (also retail licensees, with different limits) | No |
| Nevada | Apply to the county liquor board, or to the city if the event is inside an incorporated city | — |
| New Hampshire | A responsible individual representing a voluntary nonprofit group or organization approved by the Liquor Commission | Yes |
| New Jersey | Non-profit organizations (civic, religious, educational and other non-profits) | Yes |
| New Mexico | Only holders of Dispenser-type liquor licenses (not private individuals) | No |
| New York | Licensees and members of the general public | No |
| North Carolina | Nonprofit organizations (501(c) or NC-exempt) and political organizations | Yes |
| North Dakota | Qualified alcoholic beverage licensees, by permit of the local governing body | No |
| Ohio | Qualified nonprofit organizations (charitable, fraternal, cultural, educational, political, etc.) | Yes |
| Oklahoma | 501(c) tax-exempt or other non-profit organizations | Yes |
| Oregon | A business with an annual liquor license, an individual, or a group | No |
| Pennsylvania | Eligible entities listed in the Liquor Code (e.g. volunteer fire companies, hospitals, churches, libraries, museums, licensed clubs, and 501(c)(3)/501(c)(6) nonprofits), raising funds for themselves; individuals are not eligible | — |
| Rhode Island | Religious organizations, state corporations, LLCs, sole proprietorships and political organizations not holding any other liquor license | No |
| South Carolina | Individuals, business entities, or nonprofit organizations selling beer and wine at a special event | No |
| South Dakota | Civic, charitable, educational, fraternal or veterans organizations, and certain businesses that already hold a permanent alcoholic beverage license | No |
| Tennessee | Bona fide charitable, nonprofit or political organizations producing their own fundraising event | Yes |
| Texas | Nonprofit entities as defined in Section 30.01 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code (nonprofit corporations; charitable, civic or religious organizations) | Yes |
| Utah | Bona fide corporations, partnerships, LLCs, incorporated associations, churches and political organizations in existence for at least one year | No |
| Vermont | Licensed manufacturers or rectifiers selling their own products | No |
| Virginia | Duly organized nonprofit corporations or associations holding an event for an athletic, charitable, civic, educational, political or religious purpose | Yes |
| Washington | Nonprofit organizations registered with the Washington Secretary of State or the IRS | Yes |
| West Virginia | Duly organized nonprofit corporations, limited liability entities or associations with federal tax-exempt status, raising money for artistic, athletic, charitable, educational or religious purposes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Bona fide clubs and chambers of commerce; county or local fair associations or agricultural societies; churches, lodges or societies in existence at least 6 months; posts of veterans organizations | Yes |
| Wyoming | Any responsible person or organization, for a picnic, bazaar, fair, rodeo, special holiday or similar public gathering | No |
What it means
If you are not a nonprofit.
Check what "nonprofit" means in your state. Several state pages above name specific 501(c) categories; an informal club or a group of friends may not qualify.
Private hosts have another route. Hiring a caterer or bar service that holds its own license moves the sale under that license. For a wedding where drinks are free, many states do not require a permit at all, so read your state's page.
Limits per year matter to repeat organizers. Several states cap how many event permits one group can hold each year.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
Can a business get a one-day liquor permit?
In 18 of the states we verified, the main event permit is not limited to nonprofits. Elsewhere, businesses usually work through a licensed caterer.
Can an individual get a special event liquor permit for a wedding?
It depends on the state. In 27 of the states we verified the main event permit is for nonprofits only; elsewhere check who may apply. A private wedding where no one pays for drinks is often served by a licensed caterer or venue; confirm with your state agency.
Keep planning
Related.
Sources
- Alabama — Special Events Retail License · State agency (alabcboard.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Alaska — Nonprofit Organization Event Permit (NOEP) · State agency (akleg.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Arizona — Series 15 Special Event License · State agency (liquor.az.gov), checked Jul 17, 2026
- Arkansas — Temporary Spirits Permit · State agency (dfa.arkansas.gov), checked Sep 2, 2026
- California — Daily License — Beer and Wine · State agency (abc.ca.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Colorado — Special Event Permit · State agency (sbg.colorado.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Connecticut — Temporary liquor permit for a noncommercial entity · State agency (cga.ct.gov), checked Sep 29, 2026
- Delaware — Daily Nonprofit Gathering License · State agency (oabcc.delaware.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Florida — Temporary Permit (ODP) · State statute (flsenate.gov), checked Oct 3, 2026
- Georgia — Special Event Non-Profit permit · State agency (dor.georgia.gov), checked Apr 23, 2026
- Hawaii — Class 10 special license (fundraising events) · State agency (capitol.hawaii.gov), checked Feb 7, 2026
- Idaho — Non-profit permit (beer and/or wine) · State agency (isp.idaho.gov), checked Aug 14, 2026
- Illinois — Special Event Retailer's Liquor License (Not-for-Profit) · State agency (ilcc.illinois.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Indiana — Temporary Beer & Wine Permit (type 118) · State agency (in.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Iowa — Class "C" Retail Alcohol License (LC), 5-day or 14-day · State agency (revenue.iowa.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Kansas — Temporary Permit (on-premise) · State agency (ksrevenue.gov), checked Aug 9, 2026
- Kentucky — Special Temporary License · State statute (apps.legislature.ky.gov), checked Apr 13, 2026
- Louisiana — ATC Special Event Permit · State agency (atc.louisiana.gov), checked Apr 18, 2026
- Maine — Incorporated civic organization license · State statute (legislature.maine.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Maryland — Class C per diem license (one-day license issued by the county liquor board) · State agency (mgaleg.maryland.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Massachusetts — One-Day Special License (Section 14) · State agency (mass.gov), checked May 17, 2026
- Michigan — Special License (one-day license) · State agency (michigan.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Minnesota — Temporary On-Sale Liquor License (1 to 4 days) · State statute (revisor.mn.gov), checked Apr 5, 2026
- Mississippi — Class 1 Temporary Permit (nonprofit charity or civic organization) · State agency (dor.ms.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Missouri — Picnic License (temporary retail liquor by the drink) · State agency (atc.dps.mo.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Montana — Special permit — beer and table wine · State agency (revenue.mt.gov), checked Jun 7, 2026
- Nebraska — Special Designated License (SDL) - Non-profit · State agency (lcc.nebraska.gov), checked Jul 18, 2026
- Nevada — No state event permit - county or city liquor license/permit · State statute (leg.state.nv.us), checked Dec 9, 2025
- New Hampshire — One Day License for Voluntary Nonprofit Organizations · State agency (gc.nh.gov), checked Jan 20, 2026
- New Jersey — Social Affair Permit · State agency (nj.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- New Mexico — Special Dispenser Permit · State agency (rld.nm.gov), checked May 26, 2026
- New York — One-Day Alcohol Event Permit (Temporary Alcohol Permit) · State agency (sla.ny.gov), checked Sep 20, 2026
- North Carolina — Special One-Time Permit (nonprofit or political fundraiser) · State agency (abc.nc.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- North Dakota — Local event permit (city or county) · State statute (ndlegis.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Ohio — F-2 permit · State agency (com.ohio.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Oklahoma — Special Event License - Annual (SPE) · State agency (oklahoma.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Oregon — Special Event License (Temporary Sales License) · State agency (oregon.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Pennsylvania — Special Occasion Permit · State agency (pa.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Rhode Island — Class F license (19-hour special event license, beer and wine) · State statute (webserver.rilegislature.gov), checked Jun 9, 2026
- South Carolina — Beer & Wine Special Event Permit (TBP) · State agency (dor.sc.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- South Dakota — Special event alcoholic beverage license (special malt beverage, wine or on-sale license, issued locally) · State agency (dor.sd.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Tennessee — Special Occasion License · State agency (tn.gov), checked Jan 30, 2026
- Texas — Nonprofit Entity Temporary Event Permit (NT) · State agency (tabc.texas.gov), checked Aug 9, 2026
- Utah — Single Event Permit · State agency (abs.utah.gov), checked Mar 7, 2026
- Vermont — Special event permit (licensed manufacturers/rectifiers) · State statute (legislature.vermont.gov), checked Dec 6, 2025
- Virginia — Banquet Special Event license · State agency (abc.virginia.gov), checked Sep 13, 2026
- Washington — Special Occasion License · State agency (lcb.wa.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- West Virginia — Special one-day license, Class S1 (beer, charitable events) · State statute (code.wvlegislature.gov), checked Nov 14, 2025
- Wisconsin — Temporary Class "B" (beer) license / temporary "Class B" (wine) license (picnic license, issued locally) · State agency (revenue.wi.gov), checked May 18, 2026
- Wyoming — 24-hour malt beverage permit (issued locally) · State statute (wyoleg.gov), checked Sep 16, 2026
General information, not legal advice.