Maintaining political nonpartisanship is an essential component of all 501(c)(3) organizations, including religious congregations, charitable nonprofits, and foundations. Per the IRS tax code, in exchange for their tax-exempt status and the ability to receive tax-deductible contributions, 501(c)(3) organizations agree to not engage in “any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” For the past 60+ years, the Johnson Amendment has protected nonprofit organizations from becoming involved in partisan politics so they may focus the totality of their efforts on creating nonpartisan solutions to their communities’ needs.
On Friday, March 23, 2018, Congress passed the federal omnibus spending bill, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. Despite attempts from powerful politicians and well-funded special interest groups to include an anti-Johnson Amendment rider to weaken or repeal protections that prohibit the partisanship of 501(c)(3) organizations, the Johnson Amendment remained intact at the time of the bill’s passing, thanks to aggressive self-defense lobbying by 501(c)(3) organizations.
In a news release, National Council of Nonprofits President and CEO, Tim Delaney, reminded all that while this is a victory for the moment, we cannot afford to relax if lobbyists’ continued efforts of repealing the Johnson Amendment last year is any indication of what we can expect to see in the coming year. The Celiac Disease Foundation joined the ranks of other prominent nonprofit organizations to sign the Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship to stand united in the fight against the politicizing of our 501(c)(3) organizations.
Click here to read the full letter.
The Celiac Disease Foundation Signs Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship