The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

Did you know that as of January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act enacted by Congress requires many companies to report beneficial ownership information to the US Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)? Beneficial ownership information (BOI), as defined by FinCEN, is identifying information about the individuals who directly or indirectly own or control a company. Please review the BOI links on our website to see if you are required to report to FinCEN.

Mark Hammond

Charities, Professional Fundraisers and Solicitors, and Raffles

The Secretary of State’s Office Division of Public Charities regulates charitable organizations and professional fundraisers under the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, and regulates nonprofit raffles under S.C. Code of Laws Title 33, Chapter 57. There are over 13,000 charitable organizations,1,500 professional fundraisers, and 400 raffles registered with the Division.

  1. The Division oversees the annual registration and financial reporting requirements for charitable organizations. For more information on charitable organizations, please visit the Public Charities page.
  2. The Division also oversees the annual registration of professional fundraisers. Professional fundraisers include solicitors, fundraising counsels, and commercial co-venturers. In addition to registration, other filing requirements are specific to each type of professional fundraiser. For more information on professional fundraisers, please visit the Professional Fundraisers and Solicitors page.
  3. Finally, the Division oversees the annual registration and financial reporting for nonprofit raffles for charitable purposes. For more information on nonprofit raffles, please visit the Raffles page.

If you would like to file a complaint about a charitable organization, professional fundraiser, nonprofit raffle, or about any solicitation that you have received for a charitable contribution, please submit your Charitable Solicitation Complaint online. You may also contact the Secretary of State’s Investigations Division directly at investigations@sos.sc.gov or (803) 734-1790.

You may also want an overview of deadlines with the Division of Public Charities (PDF).

To inquire about federal 501(c)(3) status by phone, call 877-829-5500. Additional information for nonprofit organizations can be found at Tax Information for Charities & Other Non-Profits.

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