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Palmetto State Growth Fund Inc

EIN 57-0954747 · Columbia, SC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PALMETTO STATE GROWTH FUND LESSENS THE BURDENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S STATE GOVERNMENT BY ASSISTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA JOBS-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IN MEETING ITS STATUTORY PURPOSES AND OBLIGATIONS OF PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASING AND/OR RETAINING EMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$664,027
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 83% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 149% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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)
  1. $94,872 spent. PALMETTO STATE GROWTH FUND PROVIDES LOAN AND EQUITY FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE PRIVATE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND JOB GROWTH. THE COMPANY PROVIDES LOANS TO A SPECIALIZED SMALL BUSINESS LENDER WHICH IN TURN USES THE FUNDS TO PURCHASE LOAN PARTICIPATIONS IN SMALL BUSINESS LOANS THAT WOULD NOT BE MADE THROUGH TRADITIONAL SOURCES. THE COMPANY ALSO MAKES EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN START-UP AND EMERGING BUSINESSES TYPICALLY IN INSTANCES THAT FACILITATE FUNDING FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES.
  2. $492,247 spent. PALMETTO STATE GROWTH FUND IS A LIMITED PARTNER IN A SBA SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANY (SBIC) WHICH MAKES BUSINESS LOANS AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN LOWER MIDDLE MARKET BUSINESSES. THE COMPANY'S INVESTMENT PROVIDED INITIAL CAPITAL FOR THE SBIC WHICH IS THE FIRST SBIC BASED IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THE SBIC WAS LICENSED AND BEGAN OPERATIONS IN 2018. PALMETTO STATE GROWTH FUND ALSO PARTICIPATES IN A SECOND SIBC LIMITED PARTNERSHIP WHICH BEGAN OPERATIONS IN 2023 AND ALSO INVESTS IN LOWER MIDDLE MARKET BUSINESSES
  3. THE COMPANY INVESTS FUNDS COMMITTED BUT NOT YET ADVANCED IN SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS.
  4. THE COMPANY INVESTS FUNDS COMMITTED BUT NOT YET ADVANCED IN SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.