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ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LICENSING ×
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South Carolina Department of Revenue
Alcohol Beverage Licensing
PO Box 125
Columbia, SC 29214-0907

Phone: 803-898-5864

Report alcohol-related violations:
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Special (Donated) Nonprofit Event Permit (​TNL)

The Special (Donated) Nonprofi​t Event Permit authorizes domestic nonprofit organizations to solicit and accept the donations of beer, wine, and alcoholic liquor from licensed manufacturers and wholesalers, as well as the sale and on-premises consumption of beer, wine, and alcoholic liquor on the designated premises of a special event. It also allows suppliers to provide equipment and trained representatives to serve and pour alcohol at the licensed nonprofit event. Only a nonprofit organization may qualify for and receive ​a Special (Donated) Nonprofit Event Permit.

  • Only nonprofit organizations located and registered in South Carolina are eligible to apply for a Special (Dontated) Nonprofit Event Permit (TNL).
  • Holders of a Special (Donated) Nonprofit Event Permit (TNL) may receive donations of beer, wine, and liquor from a SC licensed wholesaler, manufacturer, producer, importer, micro-distiller, vintner, or brewer and must be transferred through a SC licensed wholesaler.
  • Holders of a Special (Donated) Nonprofit Event Permit (TNL) may purchase beer, wine, and liquor. The beer and wine must be purchased from a SC licensed wholesaler. The liquor must be purchased from a SC licensed retail liquor store who holds a federal Class B Wholesaler’s Permit.

License ​renewal

The Special (Donated) Nonprofit Event Permit may be obtained as needed. Applications must be submitted at least three days prior to the beginning of the event. The Special Nonprofit Event License cannot be issued for a period exceeding 72 consecutive hours.

​​ ​This license does NOT authorize:
  • ​The sale of liquor by the bottle 
  • The sale of beer, wine, or liquor purchased from a retail location 
  • The retention of beer, wine, or liquor left over from the event for future sale
  • The sale or consumption of beer, wine, or liquor outside of the special event premises 
  • The sale or consumption of beer, wine, or liquor at a location that has a pending permanent alcoholic beverage license application 
  • The distilling, rectifying, brewing, fermenting, blending, and bottling of alcoholic beverages at the licensed location
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​​​​​MyDORWAY button
You must sign in to your account to apply.​​

After logging in, select the More tab, then click Apply for a New Alcohol Beverage License.​​

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​Application requirements and instructions​

First, it's important for you to review the general ABL applicant requirements listed on the ABL license directory page ​to make sure you are eligible to apply.

When you’re ready to apply, we recommend submitting your application using our free online tax portal, MyDORWAY. It’s faster and easier than completing a paper application, and you don’t have to worry about mail proc​essing or making a trip to one of our offices.​​

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​ ​Fees​
  • License fee: $40 per calendar day an event is held

License requirements ​​

  • The organization applying for this permit must: 
    • Be registered with the SC Secretary of State’s Office as a charity or Nonprofit organization.
    • Have a definite method of electing individual members to the organization. This method must be described in the club's bylaws and relate to the organization’s purpose. 
    • Be maintained through the payment of membership dues. 
    • Be managed by a board of directors, executive committee, or similar governing body chosen by the members at a regularly-held meeting on at least an annual basis. 
    • Have no member or shareholder of the organization benefiting from the organization’s net earnings. 
  • You must submit a completed Packet for Special Nonprofit Event License​ (ABL-909​), including all supplemental forms. See Required Forms below for more information. We recommend applying on MyDORWAY, but if submitting a paper copy of the application, make sure it’s signed and dated. 
  • You must submit a copy of the lease, rental agreement, or enforceable written contract that grants you the right to use and control the licensed premises. This document must designate the specific area of the premises that will be licensed. In addition, you may supplement this document by submitting a copy of the ABL Lease Supplemental Information (ABL-977). 
  • If your organization has experienced a recent change in officers or members, you must submit recent meeting minutes. If applying on MyDORWAY, we recommend submitting your meeting minutes as an attachment to your application. 
  • If your event has multiple vendors, you must submit a map of the entire area identifying your location and the locations of other vendors. If applying on MyDORWAY, we recommend submitting your map as an attachment to your application.
  • The location must be suitable for the sale and consumption of beer, wine, and liquor in the opinion of the SCDOR. 
  • This license is issued for a specific location only. Once your location has been approved by the SCDOR, you cannot transfer the license to another location. 
  • We will not issue a Special (Donated) Nonprofit Event License to a location that has a pending application for a permanent beer, wine, or alcoholic liquor license or permit.

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Frequently asked questions

Review the FAQs below for answers to frequently asked questions about the Special (Donated) Nonprofit Event Permit. Our Foo​d & Special Events​​ page ​has ​additional helpful information.​

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Am I permitted to offer bottle service of liq​uor?​

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Related SC Code of Laws

  • SC Code Section 61-2-​185​ – Outlines special nonprofit event alcoholic beverage license requirements
  • SC Code Section 61-6-1610 – Outlines permissible hours for special events​
  • SC Revenue Ruling #12-3​ –​ Fundraising Events by Nonprofit Organizations
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 or Return to​ the ABL license directory​​
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