• glovecraft@infosec.pub
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    10 months ago

    The group is expected to, among other things, hand out 30 million pieces of literature in 125,000 churches — many of them in battleground states.

    That sounds illegal.

    To be tax-exempt under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501©(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

    https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations

    • CrayonRosary@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      I hate Trump and right wing Christians as much as any sane person, but Faith & Freedom is not a 501©(3). It’s, in fact, a 501©(4)

      A 501©(4) organization is a social welfare organization, such as a civic organization or a neighborhood association. An organization is considered by the IRS to be operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare if it is primarily engaged in promoting the common good and general welfare of the people of the community. Net earnings must be exclusively used for charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_and_Freedom_Coalition

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/501(c)_organization#501(c)(4)

      (Emphasis mine)

      They are using the money to “educate” people and “promote social welfare”. These groups are evil, but they aren’t dumb. They have lawyers and organize themselves in legal ways.

      Make sure you have the facts before you make us all look foolish.