Professional fundraisers are governed by the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act found in S.C. Code of Laws Title 33, Chapter 56. All professional fundraisers which intend to assist charitable organizations in the solicitation of contributions must register with the Secretary of State’s Office on an annual basis.
Professional fundraisers can fall under three specific types:
- Professional solicitor: defined in §33-56-20(9) of the Act.
- Professional solicitors must file a Registration Application for a Professional Solicitor (PDF) with the Secretary of State’s Office prior to any solicitation activity and on an annual basis.
- Every individual solicitor working for a professional solicitor company must also register with the Secretary of State’s Office on an annual basis by filing a Registration Application for an Individual Professional Solicitor (PDF). Professional solicitors must file a surety bond for $15,000 before any solicitation activity occurs and must file either the Professional Solicitor’s Bond Form (PDF) or the Professional Solicitor’s Cash Bond Form (PDF) at the same time the registration form is filed.
- Professional solicitors must file Notice of Solicitation Form (PDF) and all contracts they have with charitable organizations.
- Professional solicitors must submit a Joint Financial Report (PDF) for each solicitation campaign.
- Professional fundraising counsel: defined in §33-56-20(8) of the Act.
- Professional fundraising counsel must file a Registration Application for a Professional Fundraising Counsel (PDF) with the Secretary of State’s Office prior to any solicitation activity and on an annual basis.
- Professional fundraising counsel must file Notice of Solicitation Forms (PDF) and all contracts they have with charitable organizations prior to any solicitation activity.
- Commercial co-venturer: defined in §33-56-20(3) of the Act.
- Commercial co-venturers must file a Registration Application for a Commercial Co-Venturer (PDF) with the Secretary of State’s Office prior to any solicitation activity and on an annual basis.
- Commercial co-venturers must file a Notice of Solicitation - CCV (PDF) and all contracts they have with charitable organizations at least ten days prior to any solicitation activity.
- Commercial co-venturers must submit a Joint Financial Report for Commercial Co-Venturer (PDF) for each solicitation campaign.
Non-compliance with the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, including but not limited to failure to submit all forms and documents in a timely manner, will result in the assessment of administrative fines. The Secretary of State may, upon his own motion or the complaint of any person, investigate professional fundraisers.
All documents and correspondence should be mailed to:
SC Secretary of State's Office
Attn: Charities Division
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201
charities@sos.sc.gov
Telephone inquiries may be directed to (803) 734-1790