Fundraisers and Solicitors


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A professional fundraising counsel is anyone who, for compensation, plans, conducts, manages, prepares materials for, advises, or acts as a consultant in connection with soliciting contributions on behalf of a charitable organization but who does not actually solicit as part of his/her services. Bona fide salaried officers or employees of charitable organizations maintaining a permanent establishment within this state, or bona fide salaried employees and officers of a tax-exempt parent organization are not considered to be professional fundraising counsel.

A professional solicitor is anyone who, for monetary consideration, solicits contributions, either personally or through his organization, on behalf of a charitable organization. A bona fide salaried officer, full-time employee of a charitable organization, or part-time student employee of an educational institution is not considered to be a professional solicitor. An individual professional solicitor is anyone who is in the employ of or contracted by a professional fundraising company for the purpose of soliciting contributions or performing a service related to the solicitation of contributions in this state for any charitable organization.

South Carolina law requires that any person conducting professional fundraising for a charitable organization must be registered with the Office of the Secretary of State (see the statute for details).  Registration as a professional fundraiser in South Carolina is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The Public Charities Division must be notified of any changes made to registration information within 10 days of the changes being made. A joint financial report must be submitted for any contracts entered into with any charitable organizations. The contracts are 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.

Registration Instructions

Professional Solicitors & Professional Fundraising Counsels

  1. Complete the appropriate registration application and have it notarized.

  2. Professional Solicitors must attach proof of a $15,000 surety bond.

  3. Attach a copy of current contracts and agreements with any charitable organizations.

  4. Attach a list of all organizations for which you have solicited in South Carolina for the previous three years.

  5. Attach a list of names of all employees who are conducting solicitations at the time of application (Each employed solicitor must register separately as an individual professional fundraiser).

  6. Include the $50 annual registration fee.

Individual Professional Solicitors

  1. Complete the appropriate registration application and provide proof of bonding.

  2. Include the $50 annual registration fee

Contacts:

Division Director  Carolyn Hatcher  (803) 734-1796
Professional Solicitors & Fundraising Counsels    

Carolyn Hatcher

(803) 734-1796
Investigations Director Ed Brown (803) 734-1797

Fees 

Register a Professional Fundraiser $50.00

Forms

To obtain the forms for Professional Fundraisers and Solicitors, follow the link below:

Professional Fundraisers and Solicitors Forms

 

 

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Postal Address
P.O. Box 11350
Columbia, SC  29211
Physical Address
Edgar Brown Building
1205 Pendleton Street Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201

 

PLEASE NOTE:  The information on this page is a brief synopsis and should not be construed as the governing   statute.  The information contained in this site is considered accurate at the time of publication. We try to update this site frequently but the information contained herein is subject to change or modification. If you have further questions, you may wish to consult the person given as the contact for the respective divisions. The information contained in this site is not a substitute for legal counsel. You may need to contact a private attorney if you need legal advice or assistance. If you discover any errors in this site, please let us know by e-mailing our  webmaster.