501c3

[TwoHandedLayup]

Ok, so a local Christian Charity near our house in Indiana has a McCain Palin sign in front of it now. Wouldn't this violate their 501c3 status?

We have donated to them in the past and certainly refuse to now. But who do we complain to regarding their status as a non-profit?

Sincerely,

Pissed off in Indiana

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. Not Donating To The Needy Because The Person Who Owns The Property Doesn't Support Your Candidate,

is one of the most asinine things I've ever heard.

[TwoHandedLayup]

3. There are others who we will donate to now

We are not going to stop donating, just to them.

[AlCzervik]

7. The Knight's of Columbus were collecting for something the other day outside

of a store and i didn't give them anything because they are one of the major funders of the "Yes on 8" campaign.

[TexasObserver]

9. Here's what the IRS says:

Exemption Requirements

To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(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.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct. For a detailed discussion, see Political and Lobbying Activities. For more information about lobbying activities by charities, see the article Lobbying Issues; for more information about political activities of charities, see the FY-2002 CPE topic Election Year Issues.



http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html

[TwoHandedLayup]

11. Thank you! NT

.

[TexasObserver]

12. that's the IRS site

Internal Revenue matters are found in the IRC - the Internal Revenue Code.

Legitimate charities scrupulously avoid violating the political prohibitions of the 401(c)(3) provisions, but churches often do whatever the hell they feel like doing.

[Sebass1271]

15. Because usually church goers feel afraid of speaking up

if they stand against their pastors.. something i don't agree with. If you disagree with something your church is doing youshould speak up and let them know about it.. and if necessary let them know you will report their political support to the IRS.

I am sorry, but with these religious rights you have to confront them where it hurst them.. their wallets..

[ColbertWatcher]

10. True.

It's like giving the money you would have donated to homophobic Salvation Army to "Out of the Closet" instead.

Good for you.

[norepubsin08]

28. Take a picture of it

and send it to the IRS with a complaint

[Political Tiger]

6. I would stop donating to them as well

I would give my money to a charity that doesn't take a political stand. It would seem to me this charity is more interested in helping out a political candidate than the poor and needy.

[Sebass1271]

14. she/he asked you a question.. why don't you stick by it instead

of preaching to her.. i think she is within her right if she feels that her church is tresspasing what she/he feels is wrong.

[Realityhack]

22. The OP never said that.

They said they would not donate through that group. Stop slandering them.

[Cerridwen]

27. Not really. It's called "boycotting." We have a long history of it in the US

It's not unusual to discover that those who purport to support "needy causes" in fact, are lining their own pockets. Many times that can be seen based on what type of person they support in an election.

That's not a new way of thinking. It's gone on in the US since its inception.

Unfortunately, we have a long history in the US of CONfidence "men" preying upon the good mercies of people. Watch Elmer Gantry if you've not yet seen it. Yes, that movie was fiction. But it was a movie based on many facts of that time. jerry fallwell, pat roberston, and {insert your "favorite" televangelist} are examples of the 21st Century "Elmers".

It makes a lot of sense to check closely before donating to a cause to make sure the cause is worthy of your monies.

It makes even more sense, in these days of "hit 'em in the pocketbook", to report those who would exploit the needy for their own greed.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. Take a photograph (if you can) - post it in here nt

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. I work for a 501 c3

No, not a religious organization, but a secular one--and we don't have any political signs or anything around. We have a wide base of donors and people who use our services, and we don't want to tick anyone off.

[TexasObserver]

5. Take a photo of it, showing the address and location clearly.

Demand in writing they take it down, include a photo, and tell them it is a violation of the IRS provisions which allow them to be a charity.

If they don't remove it, send a copy to the IRS office in your area, identifying the organization by name and location.

[TwoHandedLayup]

8. Thanks. I will try to get one tomorrow.

We weren't sure who to send the complaint to, but IRS sounds right to me.

Thanks.

[Sebass1271]

17. not only send the complaint.. let them know you are unhappy

with their political stand and that you will be sending it to the RIS.... maybe they are doing this because no one has called them out on it yet..

You should take a stand and do it!!

[Sebass1271]

16. great idea!!!

[Sebass1271]

20. What about this case..

I have a niece who is attending catholic school.. she tells me that her teachers talk about Obama and how bad he is and how he wants to kill babies.. this infuriated me.. what should i do? Should i ask my niece to record the teachers? To bring some materials where they are taking a stand against Obama?

Any ideas? because i will go FULL against this school for mixing politics with religion.

[Cerridwen]

23. See my post #19 below.

Have your niece write down what she can remember.

The complaint can be filed anonymously.

[MiniMe]

31. It depends on what tax code they are operating under

[TexasObserver]

34. There's only ONE applicable federal Tax Code, the Internal Revenue Code aka the IRC

Is the Catholic school operated as a 501(c)(3)?

Almost certainly, it is.

If so, it comes under the restrictions against political activities and endorsements.

[MiniMe]

36. I know there is only 1 tax code, my bad

I meant which section.

[TexasObserver]

37. OK, cool. I thought that might be what you were talking about.

But I only had a minute this morning.

no harm no foul

[TexasObserver]

35. First, it's the call of the parents of the child. What do they want to do?

The problem is this: If they complain, they may be asked to take your niece to school somewhere else.

Your niece's parents may not want to subject their daughter or themselves to the grief that will follow.

You should defer this entirely to the parents of your niece, as it is their call.

[upi402]

13. I agree - remove their tax exempt status NOW!

I'm beyond fed up with how the spiritually hungry or fearful people are duped and used by the money elites who couldn't care less.

And the false prophets better hope there's no hell!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. Do they own the property?

[Cerridwen]

19. Possibly. See link below.

here's the link

This is specific to another matter but may apply here. My suggestion is to read the links in the post and report it then let the IRS decide. You can report them anonymously.

[Sebass1271]

21. why report them anonymously? I dont' understand!!

why can't she/he take a strong stand against what this church is doing? She/he should demand the church to take down the sign period.

[Cerridwen]

24. Some people prefer not to have their names in print...

unlike "joe the plumber."

Some of these organizations retaliate. In a small community it can be horrific for them.

Anonymous can be important.

Each person makes their own decision. I make a point of stating that they can complain anonymously because some feel safer doing so.

[Sebass1271]

25. got you..

[Cerridwen]

26. thanks. n/t

[conscious evolution]

29. It violates 501c3

A 501 c3 can advocate for an issue but not for candidates.

[Cerridwen]

30. See #19, please. They can't always advocate an issue either. n/t

[conscious evolution]

32. Yes and no

According to the lawyer for the 501c3 I am on the board of a 501c3 orginization can advocate for issues that fall under the category the 501c3 was formed under.Educational 501c3's can advocate for educational issues,church's can advocate for religous issues,etc.
This issue was discussed at our last board meeting.We have a billboard on our property and some of us wanted to advertise for Obama(A big 'hippys for Obama'sign.) on it.Our lawyer,rightfully so,nixed that idea.

[Cerridwen]

33. The point being - send the information to the IRS and let them rule

on it.

For better or for worse, they have the ultimate say as to what is and isn't acceptable with regard to maintaining their (c)3 status. Advocating on issues is a murky area. As I was clicking around irs.gov, there was a mention of advocating on issues specific to an election cycle; it was considered a violation. It might be in the .pdf I linked to and quoted from, I don't remember right this second. It's still early here and I can't get my caffeine to fully kick in yet. :)