S.C. Code Ann. § 33-31-1706: Public Benefit, Mutual Benefit, and Religious Corporations.

(a) On the effective date of this chapter, each domestic corporation that is or becomes subject to this chapter shall be designated as a public benefit, mutual benefit, or religious corporation as follows:

(1) any corporation designated by statute as a public benefit corporation, a mutual benefit corporation, or a religious corporation is the type of corporation designated by statute;

(2) any corporation that does not come within subsection (1) but is organized primarily or exclusively for religious purposes is a religious corporation;

(3) any corporation that does not come within subsection (1) or (2) but that is recognized as exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any successor provision, is a public benefit corporation;

(4) any corporation that does not come within subsection (1), (2) or (3), but that is organized for a public or charitable purpose and that upon dissolution must distribute its assets to a public benefit corporation, the United States, a state, or a person that is recognized as exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor provision, is a public benefit corporation; and

(5) any corporation that does not come within subsection (1), (2), (3), or (4) is a mutual benefit corporation.

(b) In any filing with the Secretary of State, an existing corporation may elect designation as a public benefit, mutual benefit, or religious corporation.