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Advocacy Blog
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
The Problem of Generalizing Nonprofits
Earlier, the suggestion was made that "nonprofits" as a whole are increasingly being mentioned in the press in connection to their increased spending for political activity during the current campaign. A perfect example is laid out in this blog, with the headline, "Nonprofits are the New 527s." Understandably, it is easier to use "nonprofit" as opposed to 501(c)(4). 501(c)(4) organizations can be involved in some political activity as long as it is not their primary purpose. The blog makes it clear that the discussion is about 501(c)(4)'s, yet the headline remains vague. Such a generality does a disservice to 501(c)(3) organizations (public charities, public foundations, and private foundations). 501(c)(3) organizations can legally engage in nonpartisan voter engagement activities. In fact, such nonprofit groups do valuable work in getting voters to the polls on Election Day.
As OMB Watch Executive Director, Gary Bass says here, "Yet with headlines about 'nonprofits' engaging in electoral politics ... media organizations use too broad a brush and inadvertently tarnish the image of the nonprofit sector."
Posted by Amanda Adams
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