Click here for a list of charities registered since September 11, with the designated purpose of raising money for the victims and heroes of the tragedies

Searchable Online Charities Database

Solicitations of Charitable Funds Act

South Carolina's Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act was significantly amended in the 2000 legislative session. Among other changes, the amendments concern professional solicitor registration requirements, professional solicitor disclosures and other filing information for all organizations. Please review the statute to insure that you remain in compliance.

Downloadable Nonprofit Manual

Guidelines for South Carolina Nonprofit Organizations is a manual prepared by Glenice B. Pearson that provides sample forms, instructions, guidelines, and advice on incorporating as a nonprofit entity in South Carolina.  This manual is available in downloadable form and is created in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF).  If you do not have the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (4.x) software, please click here for a free copy.

To download Guidelines for South Carolina Nonprofit Organizations, click here (the manual will take a moment to download).

Professional Fundraisers and Solicitors, click here.

For information on Charitable Trusts, please contact the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General .

Registration Instructions

1. Complete the registration statement and have it notarized.

2. Attach a copy of your IRS Tax Exempt Designation Letter, if your organization has received tax exempt status.

3. Attach a copy of legal orders if organization has been previously fined or enjoined.

4. Include the $50 annual registration fee.

To read the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, follow the link below:

 Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act

Financial Reporting

Organizations that have registered with the Secretary of State are required to submit an annual financial report no later than 4 1/2 months after the end of the organization's fiscal year. For example, if your fiscal year ends June 30, then your report is due by November 15. If your fiscal year ends December 31, then your report is due by the following May 15. The Secretary of State's office must be notified as to the dates of your fiscal year.  This information must be on your registration statement and financial report. If you wish to change your fiscal year, the Secretary of State must be notified. Please note that organizations exempt from registration do not file annual financial reports.

You must submit your financial information upon either IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, or the Secretary of State's Annual Financial Report Form. You may NOT send a company financial statement or balance sheet.

If you need an extension in filing your financial report and file an IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF, please send a copy of IRS Form 2758, "Request for Extension in Filing Form 990." If an extension is granted by the IRS, then we will also extend your filing date. Please note, you must file for an extension with our office. An extension from the Department of Revenue is NOT an automatic extension with the Secretary of State's Office. Failure to file this report will result in the assessment of administrative fines.

Professional fundraisers must file a joint annual financial report. This must be done separately for each fundraising campaign and is due 90 days after the end of the campaign if it lasts less than one year, and on the anniversary of the start date of the campaign if it lasts longer than one year. Failure to file this report will result in administrative fines being assessed.

Fees

Forms

To obtain the forms for Charities, follow the link below:

Charities Forms