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Jackson, Miss.—Devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey has left many in Mississippi wondering: “How can I help?” The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office’s website can serve as a valuable resource for information about some disaster relief charities before you donate.
“Mississippians are the most generous people in the Nation, always opening their hearts and their pocketbooks to those in need,” Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said. “Our goal is to provide as much information as possible about charities soliciting funds in Mississippi to help ensure donations reach those who need it the most.”
Charities soliciting funds in Mississippi, with some exceptions, must be registered with the Secretary of State’s Office (http://charities.sos.ms.gov/online/portal/ch/page/charities-search/Portal.aspx). Out-of-state charities which do not target Mississippi donors may not be required to register in Mississippi.
Each year, the Agency publishes a Report on Charitable Organizations in Mississippi. The report outlines the financial information of charities registered in the State, including the percentage of charitable funds actually spent by a charity for its charitable purpose. The Council of Better Business Bureaus recommends at least 65 percent of a charitable organization’s total expenses be spent on program activities directly related to the organization’s purpose.
Religious institutions and organizations which are instrumentalists of government, such as the American Red Cross, are not required to register with the Secretary of State’s Office.
For more information, call the Charities Division at (601) 359-1599 or www.sos.ms.gov/charities/.
