Project Host Named 2011 Angel

GREENVILLE, SC – November 18, 2011 – Project Host Soup Kitchen in Greenville, S.C. was one of 10 2011 Angel organizations cited this week by S.C. Secretary of State Mark Hammond. The 10 Angels were recognized at a press conference and honored with a reception in the Secretary of State’s Office following the announcement.

The Angels honored represent organizations that exemplify charitable giving in South Carolina.  Representatives from all organizations were in attendance to receive a plaque and recognition from Secretary Hammond. The Angels recognized, with the percentage of their expenditures that went toward their program activities, are listed below.  Those recognized are listed in alphabetical order, and are not ranked by the Secretary of State.

ACTS-Area Churches Together Serving, Inc., Aiken, SC    86.5%

Associated Charities, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC    97.6%

Camp Discovery at His Acres, Inc., Blythewood, SC    96.2%

Carolina Wildlife Care, Inc., Columbia, SC    87%

Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Inc., Spartanburg, SC    89.1%

DonorsChoose.org, New York City, NY    94.8%

Let There Be Mom Inc., Greenville, SC    92.2%

Project Host, Inc., Greenville, SC    91.8%

South Carolina STRONG, North Charleston, SC    98%

Support Our Troops, Daytona Beach, FL    98.3%

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 devote 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; and the charity must receive minimal funding from grants.  Each year the Secretary of State’s Office attempts to showcase Angels with diverse missions, from across South Carolina and outside the state.

Also cited at the press conference were the Top 10 Scrooges. The designation of Scrooge is based upon a charitable organization’s failure to spend a high percentage of its collections on stated program activities and/or use of a high percentage of collections to pay professional solicitors.  The charities designated as this year’s Scrooges are listed below, along with the percentage of expenditures used for program services.  Those recognized are listed in alphabetical order, and are not ranked by the Secretary of State.

Cancer Survivors’ Fund, Missouri City, TX    9.1%

Children’s Leukemia Research Association, Inc., Garden City, NY    23.9%

Disabled Police Officers Counseling Center, Inc., Niceville, FL    7.5%

Foundation for American Veterans, Inc., West Bloomfield, MI    10.4%

Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library, Chicago, IL    32.7%

Law Enforcement Education Program, Inc., Troy, MI    2.9%

Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation of America, Milwaukie, OR    12.8%

South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association, Myrtle Beach, SC    24%

Veterans of Foreign Wars, O.B. Rosseger Post #2779, Orangeburg, SC    4.9%

Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., Lauderdale Lakes, FL    3.1%

The following criteria were considered in selecting Scrooges;  the charity had devoted 40 percent or less of total expenditures to charitable programs; the charity had spent a significant amount of revenue on fundraising expenses; and the charity had registered with the Secretary of State to solicit funds in the state of South Carolina.

Secretary Hammond issued the following statement: “As Secretary of State, I have the duty of enforcing the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, and of protecting the public against “Scrooge” organizations that want to take advantage of our giving spirit. Charitable solicitations across the state have increased in the last four years because more and more people are in need of assistance.  Even though times are tough, South Carolinians continue to be some of the most generous people in the nation and always answer the call when it comes to defending and helping the less fortunate.  However, there are those who would take advantage of our generosity.  So I ask that you check out any organization before you contribute your hard-earned money.  Please visit our Website at www.scsos.com; select the Charity Search button to learn a charity’s total revenue, program expenses, total expenses, net assets, and fundraiser costs.  We have even calculated the percentage of total expenses that the charity has devoted to its program services. You can also call our Charities Division at 1-888-CHARITI (242-7484) for more information.”