At a Glance

In Mississippi, commercial co-venturers must file a notice with the Mississippi Secretary of State charities portal at least seven days before starting their charitable sales promotion. This notice must include your contract with the charity. After your promotion ends, you must file financial reports within 30 days showing gross sales and amounts donated. Unlike many states, Mississippi does not charge registration fees for commercial co-venturers.

Are you planning a commercial co-venture to boost your business while supporting a worthy cause in Mississippi? When your company promotes that a portion of sales will benefit charity, you’re entering a regulated space that requires specific filing steps. Commercial co-ventures offer an exciting way to align your business with charitable giving, but Mississippi has particular registration requirements you must follow to stay legally compliant.

Mississippi specifically regulates how businesses conduct charitable sales promotions through a structured filing system. You’ll need to submit initial registration information, file your charity contract before launching campaigns, and provide financial reports after completion. Additionally, you must understand the recordkeeping obligations to protect your business from potential legal complications.

In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about commercial co-venture requirements in Mississippi—from initial registration to reporting obligations—ensuring your charitable promotions remain both successful and compliant with state regulations. When CCV activity involves multi-state campaigns, we help track varying requirements, notices, and reporting obligations.

Understanding Commercial Co-Venturer Status in Mississippi

Navigating Mississippi’s commercial co-venture regulations starts with understanding exactly how the state defines and regulates these business-charity partnerships. The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Charities Division maintains specific definitions and requirements that determine which activities fall under regulatory oversight.

Definition of Commercial Co-Venturer under Mississippi Law

Mississippi law provides a precise definition of who qualifies as a commercial co-venturer (CCV). According to state regulations, a commercial co-venturer is any person or entity primarily engaged in the production, trade, sale, or commerce of goods outside the context of fundraising who conducts, promotes, underwrites, arranges, markets, sponsors, or advertises a sale, performance, or event that benefits a charitable organization to any extent, as outlined in the Mississippi Secretary of State charities rules.

Furthermore, the law specifies that these activities must be conducted for “indirect compensation,” which may include contractually arranged fees, commissions, or other monetary remuneration. This definition clearly distinguishes commercial co-venturers from professional fundraisers and other charitable solicitation professionals.

Nevertheless, not all business-charity relationships fall under CCV regulations. Mississippi explicitly exempts entities that contract with charitable organizations and receive only indirect compensation limited to goodwill or tax benefits—provided neither party promotes, markets, or advertises the relationship during the contract period, per the state’s CCV filing instructions.

Charitable Sales Promotion vs. Fundraising Campaign

A charitable sales promotion differs significantly from traditional fundraising campaigns. Mississippi defines a charitable sales promotion as an advertising or sales campaign, conducted by a commercial co-venturer, which represents that the purchase or use of goods or services offered by the commercial co-venturer will benefit, in whole or in part, a charitable organization or purpose. See the Mississippi definition of charitable sales promotion.

Unlike professional fundraising campaigns primarily designed to solicit donations, charitable sales promotions integrate giving into regular business transactions. The distinction is important because each type of campaign follows different regulatory requirements in Mississippi.

Essentially, when you run a charitable sales promotion, you’re telling consumers that their purchase will trigger a donation. This creates a commercial transaction with a charitable component rather than a pure fundraising activity. Consequently, the state monitors these promotions to ensure transparency for consumers and accountability to the charitable organizations involved.

When a Business Qualifies as a CCV

Your business qualifies as a commercial co-venturer in Mississippi when it meets these key criteria:

• You are primarily engaged in the production, trade, sale, or commerce of goods (your main business isn’t fundraising)
• You conduct, promote, market, or advertise that the purchase of your products or services will benefit a charitable organization
• You receive indirect compensation through this arrangement (including contractually arranged fees or commissions)

These criteria are established in the Mississippi Secretary of State charities rules. Importantly, if your business only receives goodwill or tax benefits from a charitable partnership and neither your business nor the charity advertises this relationship to the public, you would not qualify as a commercial co-venturer under Mississippi regulations.

Once you determine that your business meets the CCV criteria, you must comply with Mississippi’s registration and reporting requirements. The state does not charge registration fees for commercial co-venturers, making this process more accessible than in some other states that require both registration fees and bonds.

Initial Registration and Notice Requirements

Once you’ve determined your business qualifies as a commercial co-venturer in Mississippi, setting up proper registration with state authorities becomes your next critical step. The registration process in Mississippi follows specific protocols that differ from many other states, primarily focusing on notice submissions instead of traditional licensing requirements.

Online Filing via Mississippi CCV Registration Portal

Mississippi mandates all commercial co-venturer filings be submitted exclusively through their online system. Review the Mississippi CCV filing portal instructions to begin:

1. Visit the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Charities Division online portal
2. Click the “Online Filing” button to access the registration interface
3. Select “Register” in the Mississippi Charities Registered Filer Login box
4. Complete the verification and user contact information
5. Confirm your submission to receive a temporary password via email
6. Log in with your email address and temporary password to complete setup

The online portal serves as your central hub for all required filings throughout your charitable sales promotion campaign. Initially, you’ll need to create a user account, subsequently using this same portal for submitting both your pre-campaign notice and post-campaign financial reports.

Required Information for Initial Registration

The contact person for your commercial co-venture must complete the user registration screen. This individual serves as the primary liaison between your business and the Charities Division. As such, they will:

• Receive all communications regarding your filings
• Answer questions from the Division about your promotions
• Obtain updates about registration status
• Access the system to complete required filings

Prior to submitting your charitable sales promotion notice, gather comprehensive information about your planned campaign, including full details about the charitable organization you’re partnering with. Although Mississippi doesn’t require as extensive documentation as charity registration (which demands bylaws, articles of incorporation, and IRS determination letters), you still need complete information about your commercial co-venture arrangement. Labyrinth, Inc. supports businesses with state-specific CCV filings, compliant disclosure language, and contract guidance.

No Registration Fee but Mandatory Notice Submission

Unlike several other states that impose registration fees or even bond requirements on commercial co-venturers, Mississippi does not charge a fee for CCV registration. Despite the absence of a registration fee, you must file a Notice of Charitable Sales Promotion through the online portal no less than seven days before your promotion begins. See the seven-day advance notice requirement. The notice includes details about the planned promotion and must include a copy of the contract between your business and the charitable organization.

Failing to submit this mandatory notice within the required timeframe would constitute a violation of Mississippi charitable solicitation rules. Moreover, operating with an unregistered charitable organization also violates state regulations—verifying your charity partner’s registration status remains an essential part of your preparations.

Following these initial registration steps precisely establishes the foundation for your commercial co-venturer’s legal standing in Mississippi, setting the stage for subsequent filing obligations throughout your campaign.

Contract Filing and Pre-Campaign Obligations

Before launching your charitable sales promotion in Mississippi, proper contract filing stands as a crucial step. Filing appropriate documentation ensures transparency between your business and the charitable organization while meeting state regulatory requirements.

Notice of Charitable Sales Promotion Submission

The Mississippi Secretary of State requires commercial co-venturers to submit an online notice for each charitable sales promotion they plan to conduct. This submission must occur through the state’s official charity registration portal. The notice serves several purposes:

• Informs regulators about upcoming promotional activities
• Establishes a record of the business-charity relationship
• Creates accountability for funds raised through the promotion
• Enables state oversight of charitable fundraising activities

As part of this process, you’ll need to provide comprehensive information about both your business and the charitable organization. Notably, Mississippi requires these submissions exclusively through their online system, eliminating paper-based filing options.

Details Required in the CCV-Charity Contract

Your contract with the charitable organization forms the foundation of your commercial co-venture relationship. Mississippi regulations mandate that this contract must be included with your notice submission. The agreement should comprehensively outline:

1. Complete identification of both parties (your business and the charity)
2. Detailed description of the promotional campaign
3. Geographic scope of the promotion
4. Start and end dates of the charitable sales promotion
5. Financial terms, including how donations are calculated
6. Percentage or amount of sales that will benefit the charity
7. Any maximum or minimum guaranteed donation amounts
8. Provisions for financial accounting and reporting

First and foremost, ensure your contract clearly states how consumer purchases translate into charitable contributions. This transparency helps protect both your business and consumers participating in the promotion. We assist with organizing contracts, filing materials, and post-campaign records, helping partners stay audit-ready.

Furthermore, if you decide to extend a previously filed charitable sales promotion, you must submit a copy of the contract extension document and the updated end date for the charitable sales promotion via the state portal instructions.

Deadline: 7 Days Before Campaign Start

Importantly, Mississippi regulations strictly require filing your notice of charitable sales promotion no less than seven (7) days prior to the start of the promotion. See the Mississippi seven-day filing rule. Failing to meet this deadline can result in potential enforcement actions under Mississippi law. To avoid complications, always plan your filing schedule with sufficient lead time. Consider that fully executed contracts require signatures from both your business and the charity—delays in obtaining these approvals could impact your ability to meet the seven-day deadline.

Ultimately, timely submission of your notice and contract represents just one step in the process. After your promotion concludes, you’ll need to file financial reports detailing campaign results within thirty days—which we’ll explore in the following section.

Financial Reporting After Campaign Completion

After completing your charitable sales promotion in Mississippi, financial transparency becomes mandatory. State rules require thorough reporting to verify that promised charitable contributions actually reach their intended recipients, as outlined in the Mississippi charities rules.

Required Financial Disclosures: Gross Sales and Donations

Mississippi requires specific financial details in your post-campaign report. You must disclose:

• The number of units of goods or services sold in Mississippi
• The amount of gross sales generated in Mississippi
• The amount of those gross sales paid by your business to the charitable organization

For campaigns extending beyond state borders, you must additionally report the percentage of total Mississippi sales paid to the charity. This requirement ensures proportional accountability even within larger national or international promotions.

These disclosures create a verifiable record of your commercial co-venture’s financial impact, ensuring consumers can trust that their purchases genuinely supported the charitable cause as advertised.

Online Submission of Post-Campaign Report

All financial reports must be submitted exclusively through Mississippi’s online portal. This electronic filing system streamlines the reporting process for both commercial co-venturers and state regulators. The filing deadline is strictly enforced—you must submit your complete financial accounting no later than thirty (30) days after your promotion concludes. Use the Mississippi charities portal to file on time.

Unlike some states that require paper forms or notarized statements, Mississippi’s digital submission system simplifies documentation requirements, particularly for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Multi-Year Campaign Reporting on Anniversary Date

For charitable sales promotions extending beyond one year, Mississippi implements a structured reporting schedule. You must file an annual financial accounting each year, due thirty days after the anniversary of your initial notice of promotion filing, and a final financial accounting thirty days after the promotion ultimately concludes. The state CCV instructions outline these ongoing reporting steps.

Throughout your campaign, maintain comprehensive records of all Mississippi sales, gross revenues, and charitable contributions. Proper documentation not only facilitates accurate reporting but furthermore protects your business from potential issues with state regulators.

Exemptions, Recordkeeping, and Legal Considerations

Unlike charitable organizations, Mississippi offers straightforward requirements for commercial co-ventures without extensive exemptions or renewal procedures. Understanding these provisions helps streamline your promotional campaigns.

No Annual Renewal Requirement in Mississippi

Commercial co-venturers operating in Mississippi enjoy a significant administrative advantage—there is no annual renewal obligation for CCV registrations. Once you submit your notice for a specific promotion and fulfill your campaign reporting requirements, there is no separate yearly CCV registration to renew. However, remember that each individual charitable sales promotion requires separate notification and reporting. Even with no annual renewal requirement, you must still file proper notices at least seven days before launching each new promotional campaign.

Record Retention Guidelines for CCVs

Maintaining comprehensive records remains essential for achieving compliance with Mississippi regulations. Keep documentation such as agreements, accounting records, and payment confirmations in an auditable format at your business offices to support your required filings and any inquiries from regulators. Mississippi rules expressly set a three-year record-retention period for professional fund-raisers; CCVs should retain sufficient records to substantiate required notices and financial accountings. See the Mississippi Charities Act and rules overview.

Legal Risks of Non-Compliance with State Law

Failing to adhere to Mississippi’s commercial co-venture regulations carries consequences under state law. Mississippi may pursue administrative or judicial remedies, including injunctive relief or other penalties authorized by the Regulation of Charitable Solicitations Act. It is also a violation for a commercial co-venturer to perform services on behalf of an unregistered charitable organization. Additionally, when CCV activity may intersect with a nonprofit’s charitable solicitation registration requirements, we can help nonprofits understand these obligations.

Conclusion

Navigating Mississippi’s commercial co-venture regulations requires attention to detail and proper timing throughout your charitable sales promotion. Throughout this guide, you’ve learned how Mississippi defines commercial co-venturers and distinguishes them from other fundraising entities. Additionally, you’ve discovered the specific steps required for achieving full regulatory standing.

The process begins with determining your status as a commercial co-venturer under Mississippi law. Once established, you must submit your Notice of Charitable Sales Promotion through the state’s online portal at least seven days before launching your promotional campaign. Unlike many other states, Mississippi does not charge registration fees for commercial co-venturers, thus making this process more accessible.

Your pre-campaign obligations include submitting comprehensive information about your planned promotion and filing your contract with the charitable organization. This contract must clearly outline how consumer purchases translate into charitable contributions, ensuring transparency for all parties involved.

After your campaign concludes, financial reporting becomes mandatory. You must provide detailed information about gross sales, units sold, and amounts paid to the charitable organization within thirty days of completion. For multi-year campaigns, you must file reports on the anniversary date of your initial filing and again when the promotion ultimately ends.

Despite these requirements, Mississippi offers certain advantages for commercial co-venturers, particularly the absence of annual renewal obligations. Nevertheless, you should maintain thorough records to satisfy regulatory requirements and protect your business from potential disputes.

The consequences of non-compliance can be significant, ranging from administrative actions to potential legal remedies. Therefore, understanding and following Mississippi’s commercial co-venture regulations safeguards both your business reputation and financial interests while ensuring your charitable promotions achieve their intended purpose.

By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can confidently conduct charitable sales promotions in Mississippi that benefit worthy causes while maintaining full regulatory standing. With experienced guidance on CCV requirements and proper preparation of required filings, businesses can navigate these obligations efficiently while focusing on their promotional objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions