Due to the state holiday, the Office of the Secretary of State will be closed Monday, May 28. If you have business with the office, please plan accordingly.

• Financial Reports for Registered Charitable Organizations
• Registered Fundraising Counsels
• Registered Professional Solicitors

The Tennessee Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming has assessed $720,000 in civil penalties against Xentel, Inc., a Florida-based professional fundraising company, for failing to properly disclose its status in phone calls to Tennessee residents prior to requesting that they donate to the American Association of State Troopers.

The division’s investigators documented 144 cases between July 1 and Aug. 15 in which Xentel representatives violated the Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Act, which requires professional fundraising organizations to clearly and conspicuously disclose that they are raising money on behalf of a charitable organization. Organizations that violate the law are subject to a civil penalty of $5,000 for each violation.

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Within the last 13 months, Middle Tennessee and West Tennessee suffered record flooding and East Tennessee battled deadly tornadoes. These natural disasters have given birth to a new state industry: disaster relief.

Since Tennesseans have shown that they are still volunteers, ready to lend a hand when disaster strikes, new charities and organizations have formed to help meet the needs of victims. Now a new law, Public Chapter 232, will make it easier to see how the hard-earned money donated to organizations engaged in disaster relief is spent.

New Forms:

• Disaster Relief Fundraising Financial Report (SS-6080)
• Disaster Relief Fundraising Quarterly Financial Report (SS-6082)

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April brought tremendous storm damage to Tennessee and surrounding states. In the wake of this week’s tragedy, many Tennesseans may want to help by giving their time or money. Secretary of State Tre Hargett advises people to use caution when donating money to those claiming they will provide help to storm victims.

“Tennesseans are very generous people who want to help when disasters like this occur,” Secretary Hargett said. “Unfortunately, there are corrupt individuals and organizations who may try to take advantage of that generosity. Before making charitable contributions, would-be donors should try to learn as much as they can about individuals and organizations who claim to be raising money for relief efforts.”