Nonprofit Fundraising Registration

South Carolina Charitable Registration Requirements

Unless exempt, a charitable organization must register with the South Carolina Secretary of State before soliciting charitable donations in South Carolina.

Out-of-state nonprofits that register under the South Carolina charitable registration laws are not required to qualify to do business in South Carolina. However, engaging in other business activities such as having an office or employees in South Carolina may trigger the requirement to register to do business in South Carolina.

Initial Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in South Carolina

The following is a summary of the initial charitable solicitation registration requirements in South Carolina:

South Carolina Charitable Registration Agency: South Carolina Department of Business Regulation – Charitable Organization Section
South Carolina Exempts the Following from Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • Less than $20,000 nationwide contributions per year if no professional fundraisers are used and no employees are paid mor than $500 per year
  • Less than $7,500 nationwide contributions per year
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Political groups and candidates
  • Appeals for individuals
  • organizations that solicit exclusively from their membership, including a utility cooperative
  • veterans organizations with a Congressional charter, and
  • state agencies subject to the disclosure provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
South Carolina Charitable Registration Form: South Carolina Charitable Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization
South Carolina Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration:
  • IRS determination letter
  • IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, IRS Form 990-PF (IRS Form 8868 if IRS Form 990 is not ready). Or Annual Financial Report for Charitable Organizations if IRS Form 990-N filed
  • List of officers, directors, and trustees (name, title, and address)
  • List of professional fundraisers, fundraising counsel, and commercial coventurers (name, address, and phone number).
South Carolina Charitable Registration Filing Fee: $50. Make check payable to South Carolina Secretary of State or pay online
Registered Agent: In-state nonprofits must appoint an agent for service of process Foreign (out-of-state) nonprofits may designate the South Carolina Secretary of State 1205 S. Pendleton Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29210 as their agent for service of process
South Carolina Charitable Registration Filing Method: Online registration at http://www.scsos.com/BeforeYouFile or mail initial charity registration documents to:
Division of Public Charities
Office of the Secretary of State
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Law Governing South Carolina Charitable Registration: Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, §§ 33-56-10–33-56-200

Renewal of Nonprofit Fundraising Registration in South Carolina

A South Carolina charitable solicitation registration must be renewed each year. The following is a summary of the charitable solicitation registration renewal requirements in South Carolina:

South Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Agency: South Carolina Department of Business Regulation – Charitable Organization Section
South Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Due Date: 4½ months after fiscal year end
South Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Form: South Carolina Charitable Registration Statement for a Charitable Organization
South Carolina Requires the Following Supporting Documents for Charitable Solicitation Registration Renewal:
  • IRS determination letter
  • IRS Form 990, IRS Form 990-EZ, IRS Form 990-PF (IRS Form 8868 if IRS Form 990 not ready). Or Annual Financial Report for Charitable Organizations, if Form 990-N is not filed
  • List of officers, directors, and trustees (name, title, and address)
  • List of professional fundraisers, fundraising counsel, and commercial coventurers (name, address, and phone).
South Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Fee: $50. Make check payable to South Carolina Secretary of State or pay online
South Carolina Charitable Registration Renewal Filing Method: Online renewal registration at http://www.scsos.com/BeforeYouFile or mail renewal documents to:
Division of Public Charities
Office of the Secretary of State
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

NPSS Corporation will handle your organization’s South Carolina charitable registration for a reasonable flat fee!

Contact a South Carolina Charitable Registration Expert at NPSS Corporation Today!

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