Nov 17, 2018 – A Georgetown County organization is one of ten across the state to be named in Secretary of State Mark Hammond’s annual “Angels of 2018” list. The Angels that are chosen “exemplify charitable giving in South Carolina,” Hammond states. Helping Hands of Georgetown was chosen because 90-percent of its budget goes towards program services, the information from Hammond states.

The Angels were selected by review of financial reports submitted annually to the Secretary of State’s Office, as well as by nominations from the public.

To be selected as an Angel, the charity must have devoted 80 percent or more of its total expenditures to charitable programs; the charity must have been in existence for three or more years; the charity must make good use of volunteer services; the charity must receive minimal funding from grants; and the charity must be in compliance with the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act.

Each year the Secretary of State’s Office attempts to showcase Angels with diverse missions from several areas around the state. Charitable donors may research charities registered in South Carolina by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.sc.gov. To review a charitable organization, select the “Charity Search” button to learn a charity’s total revenue, program expenses, total expenses, net assets, and fundraiser costs. The website even calculates the percentage of total expenses that the charity has devoted to its program services. You can also call our Division of Public Charities at 1-888-CHARITI (242-7484) for more information.

The other organizations designated as “Angels” this year – along with the percentage of their budget that goes to program services are:
Ballet Spartanburg, Inc., Spartanburg, SC 87.2%
Carolina’s Kids, Hartsville, SC 84.7%
Central Carolina Community Foundation, Columbia, SC 93.6%
Community Kitchen, Inc. of Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC 80.9%
Florence Crittenton Programs of South Carolina, Inc., Charleston, SC 89.0%
Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic of Beaufort, Beaufort, SC 96.8%
Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services P.A.A.L.S, Columbia, SC 91.2%
United Christian Ministries of Abbeville County, Abbeville, SC 87.3%
YouthBase, Inc., Greenville, SC 88.2%