Charleston, W. Va. –West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner announced Friday at the State Capitol that his Office has hit a milestone in launching an online system for charities and charitable solicitors. A first for West Virginia, the accomplishment mirrors for charities and non-profits what his Office has done to transform Business and Licensing registration procedures in the state.

Warner spoke to members of the West Virginia Nonprofit Association and Philanthropy-WV at the annual West Virginia Policy Institute conference on Friday. His initiative to move all charity registration processes online will allow registered charities to submit nearly all necessary documents with the click of a button, removing the need to visit an office or submit paperwork by mail.

The move will not only save West Virginia charities money but eliminate steps of data entry by staff, and in turn, reduce the chance for human error. In addition, it will eliminate more than 96 percent of paper filed with the Office, which equates to approximately 140,000 pieces of paper each year.

Warner said he will also push to remove the antiquated notary requirement for charity registrations in the upcoming legislative session. Once passed, WV charities will be able to submit 100 percent of all registration and document filings online.

“The legislature has been very supportive of our efforts to transform state government to online systems as a means to keeping West Virginia competitive in today’s economy,” Warner said. “The next logical step is to move charities registration 100-percent online.”

This development continues Warner’s dedication to streamlining registration processes for all businesses and organizations in West Virginia. It comes on the heels of successfully moving Uniform Commercial Code filings entirely online earlier this year. These changes reduce paperwork, save businesses time and money, allow for a reduction of workflow by the agency, and virtually eliminates the time it takes for the government to process applications.

“Nonprofits have been waiting for a complete online registration process for many years, and we’re delighted that Secretary Warner and his team have been able to make it a reality,” said Laura Lee Haddad, Executive Director of the West Virginia Nonprofit Association.

Warner also took time during the Policy Institute to recognize Haddad, who has spent many years promoting nonprofits and charities throughout the state and will retire at the end of the year. She became the founding executive director of the then newly-created WV Nonprofit Association in 2012.

“Laura Lee has dedicated her professional life to promoting and strengthening the impact that West Virginia nonprofits and charities have on our families, our lives, and our communities,” Warner said. "It's an honor for me as Secretary of State to recognize her commitment and work to developing a collective voice for the nonprofit sector of our business community."

The Policy Institute is hosted each year by the WV Nonprofit Association and Philanthropy-West Virginia. Its purpose is to educate and connect nonprofits, foundations, and philanthropists on the best ways to work with government officials and administrators to improve the lives of West Virginia citizens. The meeting on Friday included a focus on best practices for foundations and nonprofits to engage in public policy advocacy.

West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner spoke to members of the West Virginia Nonprofit Association and Philanthropy-WV at the annual West Virginia Policy Institute conference on Friday.

On Friday, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner recognized Laura Lee Haddad, Executive Director of the West Virginia Nonprofit Association, who will retire at the end of the year.