Organization loses exemption for political campaign intervention

Plain-English summary

The IRS revoked an organization's IRC § 501(c)(3) exemption after finding repeated political campaign intervention. The organization sent mass communications to residents before local elections that praised some city-council candidates and criticized others. A second mailing used a QR code to direct residents to an online survey opposing a candidate who was running against the organization's president. The examination also found that organization funds paid expenses connected with the president's personal campaign and that an organization email was used to seek electoral support. The report applied the absolute statutory ban on a charity participating or intervening for or against candidates for public office. The board president agreed with the proposed revocation during the closing conference.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Did the organization's election-related mailings, survey, spending, and email violate the political campaign prohibition for charities?
• Outcome: Revocation, because the organization intervened in political campaigns on multiple occasions
• Key authorities: IRC § 501(c)(3); Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3); Rev. Rul. 2007-41

Full text (IRS public release)

Department of the Treasury Date:
Internal Revenue Service 6/4/25
Tax Exempt and Government Entities
550 Main Street
Rm 6-403
Cincinnati, OH 45202-3222

Taxpayer ID number (last 4 digits): [redacted]
Form: [redacted]
Tax periods ended: [redacted]
Person to contact: [redacted]

Release Number: 202535013
Release Date: 8/29/2025
UIL Code: 501.03-00

Last day to file petition with United States Tax Court:
9/2/25

CERTIFIED MAIL - Return Receipt Requested

Dear [redacted]:

Why we are sending you this letter
This is a final determination that you don’t qualify for exemption from federal income tax under Internal

Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(a) as an organization described in IRC Section 501(c)(3), effective
[redacted]. Your determination letter dated [redacted] is revoked.

Our adverse determination as to your exempt status was made for the following reasons: Organizations
described in IRC Section 501(c)(3) and exempt under IRC Section 501(a) are prohibited from participating in or
intervening in a political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. You have
engaged in activities that violated this prohibition on multiple occasions.

Organizations that are not exempt under IRC Section 501 generally are required to file federal income tax returns
and pay tax, where applicable. For further instructions, forms and information please visit IRS.gov.

What you must do if you disagree with this determination
If you want to contest our final determination, you have 90 days from the date this determination letter was

mailed to you to file a petition or complaint in one of the three federal courts listed below.

How to file your action for declaratory judgment
If you decide to contest this determination, you can file an action for declaratory judgment under the provisions
of Section 7428 of the Code in either:

° The United States Tax Court,

• The United States Court of Federal Claims, or

• The United States District Court for the District of Columbia

You must file a petition or complaint in one of these three courts within 90 days from the date we mailed this
determination letter to you. You can download a fillable petition or complaint form and get information about
filing at each respective court's website listed below or by contacting the Office of the Clerk of the Court at one
of the addresses below. Be sure to include a copy of this letter and any attachments and the applicable filing fee
with the petition or complaint.

You can eFile your completed U.S. Tax Court petition by following the instructions and user guides available
on the Tax Court website at ustaxcourt.gov/dawson.html. You will need to register for a DAWSON account to
do so. You may also file your petition at the address below:

Letter 6337 (Rev. 3-2024)
Catalog Number 74808E

United States Tax Court
400 Second Street, NW
Washington, DC 20217
ustaxcourt.gov

The websites of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia contain
instructions about how to file your completed complaint electronically. You may also file your complaint at one of
the addresses below:

US Court of Federal Claims

717 Madison Place, NW

Washington, DC 20439

uscfc.uscourts.gov

US District Court for the District of Columbia
333 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20001

dcd.uscourts.gov

Processing of income tax returns and assessments of any taxes due will not be delayed if you file a petition for
declaratory judgment under IRC Section 7428.

The IRS office whose phone number appears at the top of the notice can best address and access your tax
information and help get you answers. However, you may be eligible for free help from the Taxpayer Advocate
Service (TAS) if you can’t resolve your tax problem with the IRS or if you believe an IRS procedure just isn't
working as it should. TAS is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects
taxpayer rights. Visit TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov/contact-us or call 877-777-4778 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059)
to find the location and phone number of your local advocate. Learn more about TAS and your rights under the
Taxpayer Bill of Rights at TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov. Do not send your Tax Court petition to TAS. Use the
Tax Court address provided earlier in the letter. Contacting TAS does not extend the time to file a petition.

Where you can find more information
Enclosed are Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer, and Publication 594, The IRS Collection Process, for

more comprehensive information.

Find tax forms or publications by visiting IRS.gov/forms or calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). If you
have questions, you can call the person shown at the top of this letter.

If you prefer to write, use the address shown at the top of this letter. Include your telephone number, the best
time to call, and a copy of this letter.

You may fax your documents to the fax number shown above, using either a fax machine or online fax service.
Protect yourself when sending digital data by understanding the fax service's privacy and security policies.

Letter 6337 (Rev. 3-2024)
Catalog Number 74808E

Keep the original letter for your records.

Sincerely,

Lynn A. Brinkley
Director, Exempt Organizations Examinations

Enclosures:
Publication 1
Publication 594
Publication 892

Letter 6337 (Rev. 3-2024)
Catalog Number 74808E

Department of the Treasury Date:
Internal Revenue Service 10/08/2024
Tax Exempt and Government Entities

: : : . Taxpayer ID number:
IRS Exempt Organizations Examinations

Form:

Tax periods ended:

Person to contact:

Examinations
Address:
( ee

CERTIFIED MAIL - Return Receipt Requested

Manager's contact information:
Name:

ID number:
Telephone:
Response due date:
November 22, 2024

Why you’re receiving this letter
We enclosed a copy of our audit report, Form 886-A, Explanation of Items, explaining that we propose to revoke
your tax-exempt status as an organization described in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3).

If you agree

If you haven't already. please sign the enclosed Form 6018. Consent to Proposed Action, and return it to the
contact person shown at the top of this letter. We'll issue a final adverse letter determining that you aren't an
organization described in IRC Section 501(c)(3) for the periods above.

If you disagree

1. Request a meeting or telephone conference with the manager shown at the top of this letter.

2. Send any information you want us to consider.

3. File a protest with the IRS Appeals Office. If you request a meeting with the manager or send additional
   information as stated in 1 and 2, above, you'll still be able to file a protest with IRS Appeals Office after
   the meeting or after we consider the information.

The IRS Appeals Office is independent of the Exempt Organizations division and resolves most disputes
informally. If you file a protest, the auditing agent may ask you to sign a consent to extend the period of
limitations for assessing tax. This is to allow the IRS Appeals Office enough time to consider your case.
For your protest to be valid, it must contain certain specific information, including a statement of the
facts, applicable law, and arguments in support of your position. For specific information needed for a
valid protest, refer to Publication 892, How to Appeal an IRS Determination on Tax-Exempt Status.

Fast Track Mediation (FTM) referred to in Publication 3498, The Examination Process, generally doesn’t
apply now that we’ ve issued this letter.

Letter 3618 (Rev. 3-2024)
Catalog Number 34809F

4. Request technical advice from the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt Government Entities)
   if you feel the issue hasn’t been addressed in published precedent or has been treated inconsistently by the
   IRS.

If you're considering requesting technical advice, contact the person shown at the top of this letter. If you
disagree with the technical advice decision, you will be able to appeal to the IRS Appeals Office, as
explained above. A decision made in a technical advice memorandum, however, generally is final and
binding on Appeals.

If we don't hear from you
If you don't respond to this proposal within 30 calendar days from the date of this letter, we'll issue a final

adverse determination letter.

Contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Office is a taxpayer right
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that can help protect your

taxpayer rights. TAS can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a hardship, or you've tried but haven't
been able to resolve your problem with the IRS. If you qualify for TAS assistance, which is always free, TAS
will do everything possible to help you. Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 877-777-4778.

Additional information
You can get any of the forms and publications mentioned in this letter by visiting our website at

www.irs.gov/forms-pubs or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
If you have questions, you can contact the person shown at the top of this letter.

Sincerely,

Jason Brasch
Supervisory Internal Revenue Agent

Enclosures:
Form 886-A
Form 6018, Form 4621-A, Publication 1

Letter 3618 (Rev. 3-2024)
Catalog Number 34809F

Form 886-A
(May 2017)
Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service
Explanation of Items
Schedule number or exhibit:

Name of taxpayer
Tax Identification Number (last 4 digits)
Year/Period ended

ISSUE:
Whether [redacted] (“Organization”) qualifies as a tax-exempt
organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS:

Organization was incorporated under the laws of the State of [redacted] as a non-profit
corporation on [redacted].

The Organization filed Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501
(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, on . The specific purpose is to serve as an
educational entity, tasked to achieve its charitable goa

pursuant to Revenue Ruling
rganization didn't mark any boxes in Part X “Public Charity Status” requesting an individual IRC
Sec. exempt status.

The Organization was ee exemption under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) on A,

with effective date

According to internal research, the Organization has filed Form since its inception in

was not until that the organization filed an annual IRS Form

The Form for tax year do not show any activity.

The Form ending a was opened. Initial contact letter 6031 was sent with Form 4564
Information Document Request, Publication 1, Publication 5295, and Notice 609 on A with
response due date a The correspondence requested a copy of any
amendments to governing instruments including Articles, Constitution and Bylaws, made to date,

meeting minutes, financial data to reconcile the Form to the organization’s books and
records.

Cn during the first initial contact call with eamaaaire President, he confirmed
that the Organization has terminated and has not conducted activities since . Examiner

informed President that the Certification of Election to Wind . and Dissolve and Certificate of

Dissolution have not been filed with the State Secretary of The final Form to
terminate the organization and a written statement of the dissolution of assets has not been filed
with the Internal Revenue Service. President stated that the Organization's CPA was responsible for
filing the proper forms to terminate the organization. President informed the examiner that he was

Catalog Number 20810W Page 1 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)

Form 886- A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule number or

. hibit:
(May 2017) Explanation of Items ;
Name of taxpayer Tax Identification Number (last 4 Year/Period ended

out of state and is unable to answer any further questions and to call back after Thanksgiving
holiday.

On no he contacted the President and once again explained that the State
Secretary o website shows the organization as administratively dissolved and not
terminated by the Organization. President assumed that he does not need to file Articles of

Dissolution because the State had administratively dissolved the acer he also declared that

the organization had no operational or financial activities since Examiner explained the
difference between voluntary termination and revocation. President said that he would contact
someone from the State Secretary of and would respond back about the Articles of
Dissolution. Later that day President provided by fax a response in the form of a written statement
that explained the organization has been terminated, “No revenue was received in

On AEP RRRRLTUIS Examiner contacted President and informed him that due to IRM
4.70.14.2.1.3.1. 4/2023) if an organization claims to terminate while the examination is in
process, the Examiner must proceed with the examination. During the call President stated that the
organization did not maintain a general ledger or any other kind of accounting system for the year

under examination.

President was requested to provide board meeting minutes, publications, disbursements, and/or
other documentation to determine the organization's activities, and whether these activities promote

the common good and general welfare of the community. President provided bank statements and
canceled checks, meeting minutes, mailer dated , invoices from legal firm and emails

between President and legal firm.

Per an interview with President, stated the officers of the Organization during the year
were comprised of three unrelated individuals, | —
Treasurer, and , Secretary, who did not receive compensation.

As previous stated in the Organization's Form 1023 application, the Organization was created to

and social forums.

However, as determined during the examination, it appears the organization participated in political
activities. Its political campaign activities consisted of the following: direct mail communication
(which totaled over mailings each time) which stated that the Organization was in opposition
to candidates bid for office and other expenditures.

Catalog Number 20810W Page 2 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)

Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule number or
Form 886-A . exhibit:
(May 2017) Explanation of Items
Name of taxpayer Tax Identification Number (last 4 Year/Penod ended

The Organization's political activities resulted with a resident filing a complaint
with oa =a President
for setting up an online survey that was emailed out to residents following his candidate
registration filing, to a mass number of residents, via his email service provider, Constant

Contact. More detailed descriptions of the political campaign activities are below:

Direct Mail Communications

The President sent out the following mass mailers to individuals on the Organization’s email list.

ro Mailer:
The case file included a copy of correspondence addressed to a

resident, titled “All Owners” and signed by oard of Directors,
eet . The contents of the message contained
information about [redacted], primary election date for four open positions and named
eight candidates who would appear on the ballot for City Council and included statements
expressing approval of candidates who have been proactive and disapprovals of one or more
candidates who have not been proactive or helpful towards the Organization's mission statement.

(“ ’) filed complaint
, President:

, online research done by Examiner shows a [redacted]
complaint that was filed mL
on . Per resident
was running for of

[redacted] Council At-Large Position, and had emailed
electronic survey following his candidate registration filing, to a mass number of residents, via
his email service provider, .

The attached document (Exhibit A) shows a mailer sent on ecm race ah SD ccorae
residents by the EO’s President on behalf of the Organization. The mailer includes a
code which directs the resident to a web-based survey that indicates opposition of

_ candidate for i’ Council District 1 At-Large, who Is the
resident's opponent.

The survey was sent on behalf of the — and states, “

The massive mailing was distributed only to the residents which the
elections were occurring for City of ouncil Distric -Large seat. Also, the

”

Catalog Number 20810W Page 3 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)

Schedule numb
Form 886-A Department of the Teese - Internal Revenue Service hati © mumber or
(May 2017) Explanation of Items
Name of taxpayer Tax Identification Number (last 4 Year/Period ended
Eo a
election campaign solicitation was dated , which obviously was timed to be
distributed prior to the , election campaign.

The organization has stated that they are not a political party only concerned residents.

Political Expenditures

The complaint against President which the complaint description mentions that
mara is running for a d, City Council At-Large position has emailed
electronic surveys in the past, following his candidate _— filing, to a mass number of i

residents, via his email service provider,

An internet research of the ( ) Law states,
“Campaign Finance Disclosure: Candidates, political parties, political committees, and others who

raise and spend money to influence candidate elections and ballot propositions must file regular
reports that show who has given campaign contributions and how the money is spent. There is also
a public inspection component that gives the public the opportunity to view campaign books during
the week before each election and access to commercial advertisers' political advertising orders

invoices at any time.”

However, a search using the website returned [EE expense reports from J
Soc

After reviewing and comparing the Organization’s bank records with the President's personal
expense campaign reports filed with the website the information indicated
a President used of the Organization’s funds to pay expenditures for his

personal campaign.

The various expenditures related to the mass mailings in opposition to the candidate's bid for office
were with the Organization's funds.

Law:

Internal Revenue Code (IRC)

IRC Sec. 501(c)(3) provides that corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation,
organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety,
literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of
the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no
substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to
influence legislation and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or
distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Catalog Number 20810W Page 4 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)

Form 886-A Department of the Be - Internal Revenue Service en number or
(May 2017) Explanation of Items
Name of taxpayer Tax Identification Number (last 4 Year/Period ended
digits)

Treasury Regulations (Treas. Reg.)

Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(a)(1) states that in order to qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Code,
an organization must be both organized and operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes.
If an organization fails to meet either the organizational or operational test, it is not exempt.

Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(1) provides that an organization will be regarded as “operated
exclusively” for one or more exempt purposes only if it engages primarily in activities which
accomplish one or more of such exempt purposes specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Code. An
organization will not be so regarded if more than an insubstantial part of its activities is not in
furtherance of an exempt purpose.

Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3)(i) provides that an organization is not operated exclusively for one
or more exempt purposes if it is an “action” organization.

Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3)(iii) provides that an “action” organization includes an organization
that participates or intervenes, directly or indirectly, in any political campaign on behalf of or in
opposition to any candidate for public office. Activities which constitute participation or intervention
in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate include, but are not limited to, the
publication or distribution of written or printed statements or the making of oral statements on behalf
of or in opposition to such a candidate.

Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(1)(ii) provides that an organization is not organized or operated
exclusively for one or more exempt purposes unless it serves a public rather than a private interest.
To meet the requirement to be organized and operated exclusively for one or more exempt
purposes, it is necessary for an organization to establish that it is not organized or operated for the
benefit of private interests such as designated individuals, the creator or his family, shareholders of
the organization, or persons controlled, directly or indirectly, by such private interests.

Revenue Rulings (Rev. Rul.)

Rev. Rul. 2007-41 provides that, partly, Sec. 501(c)(3) organizations may take positions on public
policy issues, including issues that divide candidates in an election for public office. However, Sec.
501(c)(3) organizations must avoid any issue advocacy that functions as political campaign
intervention. Even if a statement does not expressly tell an audience to vote for or against a specific
candidate, an organization delivering the statement is at risk of violating the political campaign
intervention prohibition if there is any message favoring or opposing a candidate. A statement can
identify a candidate not only by stating the candidate’s name but also by other means such as
showing a picture of the candidate, referring to political party affiliations, or other distinctive features
of a candidate’s platform or biography. All the facts and circumstances need to be considered to
determine if the advocacy is political campaign intervention.

Catalog Number 20810W Page 5 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)

Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule number or
Form 886-A ul uf

s xhibit:
(May 2017) Explanation of Items _—

Name of taxpayer Tax Identification Number (last Year/Period ended

Key factors in determining whether a communication results in political campaign intervention
include the following:

e Whether the statement identifies one or more candidates for a given public office;

e Whether the statement expresses approval or disapproval for one or more candidates’
positions and/or actions;

e Whether the statement is delivered close in time to the election;

e Whether the statement makes reference to voting or an election;

e Whether the issue addressed in the communication has been raised as an issue
distinguishing candidates for a given office;

e Whether the communication is part of an ongoing series of communications by the
organization on the same issue that are made independent of the timing of any election;

e Whether the timing of the communication and identification of the candidate are related to a
nonelectoral event such as a scheduled vote on specific legislation by an officeholder who
also happens to be a candidate for public office.

A communication is particularly at risk of political campaign intervention when it makes reference to
candidates or voting in a specific upcoming election.

Nevertheless, the communication must still be considered in context before arriving at any
conclusions.

Situation 4 of Rev. Rul. 2007-41 describes a president of a section 501(c)(3) organization who
endorses a candidate for public office using the organization's newsletter, although the president
reimburses the organization from his personal funds for the cost of the newsletter attributable to his
endorsement. Because the endorsement appeared in an official publication of the organization, the
organization has intervened in a political campaign.

Situation 2 of Rev. Rul. 2007-41 describes a section 501(c)(3) organization that educates the public
on environmental issues and conducts a get-out-the-vote drive for a candidate, who is challenging
the environmental policies of the incumbent in the state legislature election. The organization is
engaged in political campaign intervention when it conducted the get-out-the-vote drive.

Court Rulings

In United States v. Dykema, 666 F.2d 1096 (7th Cir. 1981) cert. denied, 456 U.S. 983 (1982), the
Court stated that exemption is lost by participation in any political campaign on behalf of any
candidate for public office. It need not form a substantial part of the organization's activities.

In Better Business Bureau v. United States, 326 U.S. 279 (1945) the Court held that the
presence of a single nonexempt purpose if substantial in nature, will preclude exemption under
section 501(c)(3) of the Code, regardless of the number or importance of exempt purposes.

Catalog Number 20810W Page 6 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)

Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule number or
Form 886-A P of

. xhibit:
(May 2017) Explanation of Items “ve

Name of taxpayer Tax Identification Number (fast + Year/Period ended

digits)

In Christian Echoes National Ministry, Inc. v. United States, 470 F.2d 849 (10th Cir. 1972), cert.
Denied, 414 U.S. 864 (1973), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit held that a religious
ministry organization did not qualify for a tax exemption because it intervened in political campaigns.
The Court found that the organization's publications and broadcasts attacked candidates for public
office, including candidates for Congress and the presidency, that the organization considered to be
too liberal. “These attempts to elect or defeat certain political leaders reflected...[an] objective to
change the composition of the federal government,” the Court concluded.

in Association of the Bar of the City of New York v. Commissioner, 858 F.2d 876 (2d Cir.
1988), cert denied, 490 U.S. 1030 (1989), the court held that the organization did not qualify as of [redacted].
tax-exempt charitable and educational organization because its rating of candidates for judgeships
at the municipal, state and federal levels constituted prohibited intervention or participation in
political campaigns. The ratings were communicated to the members and the public and constituted
indirect political activity, not merely the dissemination of objective data, as argued by the
association. The court also rejected the association's contention that a substantiality requirement
should be applied to political activities, agreeing with the Seventh Circuits decision in Dykema. The
Second Circuit went on to state that no degree of support for an individual's candidacy is permitted.
The prohibition against campaign intervention is absolute.

In American Campaign Academy v. Commissioner, 92 T.C. 1053 (1989), the Court held that an
organization that operated a school to train individuals for careers as political campaign
professionals, but that could not establish that it operated on a nonpartisan basis, did not
exclusively serve purposes described in section 501(c)(3) because it also served private interests
more than incidentally. The Court found that the organization was created and funded by persons
affiliated with entities of a particular political party and that most of the organization's graduates
worked in campaigns for the party's candidates. Consequently, the Court concluded that the
organization conducted its educational activities with the objective of benefiting the party's
candidates and entities. Although the candidates and entities benefited were not organization
“insiders,” the court stated that the conferral of benefits on disinterested persons who are not
members of a charitable class may cause an organization to serve a private interest within the
meaning of section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(1)(ii). The Court concluded by stating that even if the political
party's candidates and entities did “comprise a charitable class, [the organization] would bear the
burden of proving that its activities benefited members of the class in a non-select manner.”

Taxpayer's Position
Revocation was discussed with [redacted], the board president, during the closing conference

held on . The board president agreed with proposed revocation and stated he would
sign the agreement form.

Government's Position:
An organization with recognition of exemption under I.R.C. section 501(c)(3) may not participate in
or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on

Catalog Number 20810W Page 7 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)

Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule number or
Form 886-A . exhibit:
(May 2017) Explanation of Items
Name of taxpayer Tax Identification Number (last 4 Year/Period ended
eee Os a fd

behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. This prohibition is absolute.

During the course of this examination for the period ended [redacted], the following was
determined:

The Organization participated in various campaign activities by intervening or by opposing a
candidate that was running for public office.

The Organization intervened in a political campaign against candidates with massive mailings to the

general public. The contents of one mailer of the message contained information about the
a primary election date for four open positions and named eight candidates who
would appear on the ballot for City Council and included statements expressing approval of

candidates who have been proactive and disapprovals of one or more candidates who have not
been proactive or helpful towards the Organization’s mission statement.

The second mailer included a QR code which directs the resident to a web-based survey that

indicates opposition of [redacted], candidate for [redacted] Council District 1

At-Large, who is the President's opponent. The online survey stated, “We have an important

election this November. City Council Member i is up for re-election. Pay attention to this

postion, a’ is responsible in large part of adoption of the and was the deciding vote.
is also at center Court for crazy, massive $ overspending on the

project.”

The mailers expressed approval of candidates and disapproval of one or more candidates and were
distributed in the months leading up to the in which these candidates were
competing against one another for the ; general election nomination.

Moreover, the President of the Organization sent out an e-mail (using the organization's email
address) to try to gain support for in the upcoming , election for City

Council.

The mailers were in clear violation of section 501(c)(3)’s absolute prohibition against participating
and intervening in a political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public
office.

Conclusion

The Organization has violated section 501(c)(3)'s prohibition against participating in, or intervening
in, a political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office on several
foregoing occasions. This prohibition is absolute. Therefore, Organization's recognition of section
501(c)(3) tax-exempt status should be revoked as of [redacted].

Catalog Number 20810W Page 8 of 8 www.irs.gov Form 886-A (Rev. 5-2017)