South Carolina requires charity fundraisers to identify charities to donors

Business partners in charity fundraising, called commercial co-venturers, must register with the Secretary of State before a campaign if they intend to raise more than $10,000. The threshold applies to charitable contributions solicited, collected, earned, or received during one campaign. Registration requires an application and a $50 annual fee. Partners required to register must file a written charity contract and fundraising notice at least ten days before covered activities begin. Activities cannot begin until the contract is filed and both parties have registered as required. Partners required to register must file a financial report signed by both parties within 90 days after campaign completion or each anniversary of a campaign lasting more than one year. A partner expecting exemption must register and report within 30 days after campaign contributions exceed $10,000. The law took effect May 18, 2026.

Charities can qualify for registration exemptions based on yearly gross revenue, meaning income before expenses. The $10,000 exemption allows outside fundraisers. The $25,000 exemption bars professional solicitors, professional fundraising advisers, and business fundraising partners. The $25,000 exemption requires an IRS tax-exemption letter and all work to be done by people paid no more than $500 each per year. That exemption also bars income or assets from benefiting or being paid to officers or members. Charities claiming exemption while seeking donations must submit their name, address, purpose, and reason for exemption annually. No exemption filing fee is required. A charity must register and report within 30 days after its yearly income before expenses exceeds the applicable threshold.

Anyone asking for charitable contributions must disclose the charity’s legal name and purpose. The requirement covers charities, paid fundraisers, business fundraising partners, and other people asking for charitable contributions. The disclosure is required when the person first asks for a contribution.

Charities and covered fundraisers cannot suggest that state registration means South Carolina endorses or approves them. The restriction covers charities, professional fundraising advisers, paid solicitors, and business fundraising partners. They may say they are registered with the Secretary of State as required by law.