Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO UNIFY AND LEAD THE LOCAL TRAVEL INDUSTRY IN MARKETING AND MANAGING THE CHARLESTON AREA AS AN INDIVIDUAL, MEETING, INCENTIVE, AND GROUP DESTINATION TO BOTH THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
- Income
- $22.9 million
- Spending
- $26.4 million
- Employees
- 113
- Volunteers
- 33
- Highest pay
- $438,397, vp-investor relations
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $21.7 million spent. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS: PROMOTING THE CHARLESTON AREA AS A PREMIER OVERNIGHT DESTINATION THROUGH MARKETING AND MEDIA INITIATIVES. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE PRINT, INTERNET/DIGITAL, AND TELEVISION. ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS ARE PURSUED BASED ON EXTENSIVE TOURISM RESEARCH AND TRENDS. ON A LOCAL LEVEL, THIS PROMOTES CHARLESTON AREA BUSINESSES THROUGH FIVE AREA VISITOR CENTERS AND ON-SITE VISITOR INFORMATION BOOTHS. THIS IS WHERE STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE LOCAL INFORMATION AND OFFER TOUR TICKETS, GUIDEBOOKS, AND ROOM RESERVATIONS FOR PURCHASE.
- $2.0 million spent. GROUP SALES AND SPORTS MARKETING: ATTEND INDUSTRY EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL, TO MEET WITH MEETING AND CONVENTION PLANNERS, TRAVEL AGENTS, AND REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. THROUGH BUILDING THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHARLESTON AREA'S OFFERINGS, THE CHARLESTON AREA HAS EARNED ITS REPUTATION AS A WORLD-CLASS MEETING DESTINATION.
- $807,077 spent. PRODUCTION OF RESPONSE PIECES: PRODUCES THREE YEARLY PUBLICATIONS AS WELL AS AN INTERACTIVE WEBSITE TO OFFER VISITORS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LOCAL AREA BUSINESSES, EVENTS, AND TRAVEL TOOLS. EACH PUBLICATION IS GEARED TOWARDS A SPECIFIC MARKET: THE VISITORS GUIDE OFFERS INFORMATION FOR BOTH THE LEISURE AND COMBINATION LEISURE/BUSINESS TRAVELER; THE DESTINATION PLANNING GUIDE OFFERS MORE IN-DEPTH CONVENTION AND MEETING PLANNING INFORMATION; AND THE WEDDING GUIDE IS FULL OF INFORMATION FOR ANY COUPLE WHO IS CONSIDERING CHARLESTON AS A WEDDING DESTINATION. THE WEBSITE IS CONSISTENTLY UPDATED WITH TIPS FOR TRAVELERS INCLUDING INFORMATION ON WHAT TO SEE AND DO, WHERE TO STAY, AND HOW TO GET AROUND.
- $353,545 spent. EXECUTIVE: COLLABORATES WITH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON THE LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHARLESTON AREA THROUGH A TRAVEL AND TOURISM STRATEGY, RESULTING IN AN ESTIMATED 7.89 MILLION VISITORS IN 2024. THE INDUSTRY CREATED JOB EARNINGS OF OVER $4.92 BILLION AND AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OVER $14.03 BILLION FOR THE REGION DURING THAT YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.