The charitable organization owes $10,000 in fines for delinquent registration, financial report
(COLUMBIA, SC) - Secretary of State Mark Hammond announced today that his office obtained an injunction against Miracle House of Hope Ministries for violations of the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act. The charitable organization has accrued fines totaling $10,000.00 for soliciting contributions while not registered and failure to file annual financial reports.
Miracle House of Hope Ministries is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, but the SC Secretary of State's Office has received complaints that the organization has solicited in Greenville, Dorchester, Lexington and Richland Counties. Miracle House of Hope Ministries representatives solicits cash on street corners and intersections from motorists who are likely unaware that the organization is operating illegally in the state.
"The registration and financial report filing requirements under the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act serve the purpose of proving transparency to donors," said Secretary Hammond. "Without these filings, we have no idea what this organization is doing with donors' contributions. I implore all South Carolina residents to be wary anytime someone asks them for a donation and to do their research before handing over their hard-earned money."
The Secretary of State's Office filed a petition for injunctive relief with the South Carolina Administrative Law Court on December 2018, alleging that Miracle House of Hope Ministries failed to file its annual financial reports for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and had solicited contributions while its registration was suspended. On March 18, 2019, the Administrative Law Court issued the injunction after Miracle House of Hope Ministries failed to appear at the hearing. If the organization violates the injunction, it shall be subject to contempt of court.
"It is rare that our office has to take the step of filing an injunction," said Secretary Hammond, "But in this case, we were left with few options. Miracle House of Hope Ministries blatantly and continuously disregarded the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act over several years. Hopefully, this court order will put them on notice that South Carolina is off-limits until they can comply with the law."
Secretary Hammond encourages all South Carolinians to notify the Secretary of State's Office if they have any concerns about a charitable organization. Citizens can file a complaint 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using the Secretary of State's Online Charitable Solicitation Complaint Form. You can also contact the Division of Public Charities by calling 1-888-CHARITI (242-7484)
Contact: Renee S. Daggerhart
(803) 734-0629