(A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a charitable organization which intends to solicit contributions within this State or have contributions solicited on its behalf must file a registration statement with the Secretary of State, on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State, by the date provided pursuant to Section 33-56-60 (A) but in all cases before solicitation. The registration forms and other documents prescribed by the Secretary of State must be (i) signed by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the charitable organization, (ii) certified as true, and (iii) filed, along with a fee of fifty dollars.

(B) The statements must contain:

(1) the name of the organization;

(2) the purpose for which it was organized;

(3) the principal address of the organization and the address of offices in this State. If the organization does not maintain an office, the name and address of the person having custody of its financial records;

(4) the names and addresses of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, directors, trustees, officers, and board members;

(5) the names and addresses of chapters, branches, or affiliates in this State;

(6) the place and date the organization was legally established and the form of its organization;

(7) whether the organization intends to use a professional fundraising counsel, professional solicitor, or commercial co-venturer or hire individuals to solicit and, if so, their names and contact information;

(8) a copy of any determination letter recognizing the charitable organization's tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service and any changes, amendments, or revocations to that letter unless those documents have been previously filed with the Secretary of State;

(9) the general purpose for which the solicited contributions are to be used;

(10) whether the organization is authorized by another local, state, or federal governmental authority to solicit contributions and, if so, a list of each;

(11) whether the organization is or has been the subject of a legal or administrative action concerning a charitable solicitation, fundraising campaign, or campaign with a commercial co-venturer by another local, state, or federal governmental authority including, but not limited to, registration or license revocation or denial, fines, injunctions, or suspensions, and an explanation of all actions;

(12) whether any of the organization's officers, directors, trustees, or board members have been the subject of a criminal conviction, including guilty or nolo contendere pleas, involving any charitable solicitations act, fraud, dishonesty, or false statement in a jurisdiction within the United States and, if so, a description and date of any such conviction;

(13) the charitable organization's Federal Employer's Identification Number (EIN);

(14) the name and address of the registered agent of the charitable organization, if incorporated;

(15) an annual financial report for the immediately preceding fiscal year filed on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State or on the Internal Revenue Service Form 990, 990EZ, or 990PF, unless that report already has been filed with the Secretary of State;

(16) a statement as to the relationship of any of the charitable organization's officers, directors, trustees, or board members by blood, marriage, or adoption to:

(a) each other; or

(b) a director or an officer of a professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor under contract with the charitable organization.

If so, the names and addresses of the related parties.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 461, Section 1; 1996 Act No. 458, Part II, Section 28D; 1998 Act No. 368, Section 5; 2000 Act No. 336, Section 1; 2007 Act No. 69, Section 1, eff June 13, 2007.

Effect of Amendment

The 2007 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "the date provided pursuant to Section 33-56-30(A)" for "July first of each year".