Dear representative or senator,
Everytown and Moms Demand Action are purported non-profits and exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. I am writing you today to alert you to what I believe are activities that clearly fall outside of Everytown’s non-profit charitable purpose and mission.
Non-profits organzations are not supposed to engage in “political campaign activity” and if they do, IRS regulations mandate that the charitable nonprofit will lose its tax-exempt status. I have routinely observed representatives and officers from Everytown and Moms Demand Action engaging in political campaign activity (actively supporting or opposing a candidate for public office), explicitly and well beyond mere lobbying or legislative activities. Examples of their political activity can be found here on their 2017 form 990 return form:
https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2017/208/802/2017-208802884-10455af3-9O.pdf
Page 2 section 4a: “The organization also supported successful candidates for elected office nationwide, most notably in Virginia”.
Page 34-37 part IV: “In 2017, Everytown For Gun Safety Action Fund made contributions to political candidates and political committees related to promoting the election of candidates who support the enactment of common-sense public safety measures to keep our communities safer from gun violence. In addition, Everytown made coordinated expenditures for communications related to the election of candidates for public office in Virginia and New Jersey.”
(support and donations): “Democratic Attorney General Association
Democratic Governors Association
Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
Friends for Adam Morfeld (Nebraska State Senator) $5000
Friends of Justin Fairfax (Lieutenant Governor of Virginia) $10,000
Friends of Manka Dhingra (Washington State Senator) $1000
Murphy for Governor (Governor of New Jersey) $3200
National Conference of Democratic Mayors $50,000
Nevada State Democratic Party $25,000
South Carolina House Democratic Caucus $2500
Virginia House Democratic Caucus $50,000
Virginians for Mark Herring (attorney General of Virginia) $70,000
Page 55 part II: “The organization received a gift of publicly traded securities”
page 56 part III: “In 2017, the organization established Everytown PAC, a separate segregated fund registered with the Federal Election Commission, to encourage the interest in Everytown members in the political process and promote the election of responsible, qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation, who support common sense solutions to gun violence” (note: Only one political party is being promoted and supported, as seen in the candidates they financially support)
Further, as per the IRS, 501 (c) (4) organizations are not allowed to operate in a partisan manner:
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https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopicm95.pdf
Guidance regarding educational activities under IRC 501(c)(4) is derived from revenue rulings and court decisions regarding the educational activities of IRC 501(c)(3) organizations.1 Generally, political educational organizations must
The following examples illustrate how the definition of “educational” applies in the context of “political” organizations claiming exemption under IRC 501(c)(4):
Example (1) Organization A conducts research, seminars, forums, and other educational programs for the public on issues of public concern. It also engages in substantial lobbying activities. Its activities are under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of prominent individuals with backgrounds in academics and/or government. While A’s philosophy on the issues is generally consistent with that of a major political party, it conducts its activities in a non-partisan manner and is not affiliated in any way with the political party. B’s activities are primarily “educational”; accordingly, it qualifies for exemption under IRC 501(c)(4).
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They are allowed to be consistent with one party, but must remain non-partisan. This is an issue because Everytown For Gun Safety, on top of evidence above, uses ActBlue (only supports democratic candidates) as their main source for handling donations. Clicking on their website:
https://everytown.org
And then clicking on donate will take you to a secure ActBlue link
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/ab-everytown-default/?source=etno_ETHPNav&utm_source=et_n_&utm_medium=_o&utm_campaign=ETHPNav&_ga=2.251876233.1219384017.1565032852-534919142.1562003918
About ActBlue:
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https://secure.actblue.com/about
We develop top-of-the-line fundraising software and offer simple, intuitive toolsto help campaigns and organizations connect with new and existing grassroots donors. As a result, nonprofits thrive and Democratic campaigns get more donations through ActBlue than any other platform. Together, we build powerful movements.
How do we make that happen? Well, first we test and retest our contribution forms to maximize conversion rates. We make it as easy as possible to give, no matter where the donor is, or on what device they’re using. And we make it free for campaigns and organizations — no tricks or add-ons. And with a top-notch tech team, our tools are always dependable, and we’re always working to upgrade them.
That’s why a majority of Democratic Senate and House campaigns — along with the DCCC, DSCC, DGA, over one-third of statewide campaigns, and advocacy organizations around the country — have chosen ActBlue.
But we’re so much more than a toolset.
Together, we’ve raised 3,651,491,573dollars for Democrats and progressive causes in just 15 years.
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For these reasons, I implore you to investige into whether (i) the Everytown and/or Moms Demand Action have violated the federal laws governing 501(c)(4) charitable organizations since they became Everytown For Gun Safety in 2013, and (ii) if so, consider what remedies are warranted, including asking the IRS to revoke their 501(c)(4) status.
I understand this is a politically charged issue, however, the fact that Everytown and Moms Demand Action are in large part merely a path for “dark money” which apearts to benefit only Democratic candidates. These organizations appear to be hiding behind the veneer of non-profit status, while essentially serving as de-facto political action committees.
I sincerely and respectfully ask that, as my representative in Congress, you ask that investigations begin of these organizations.
sincerely,
(Your name)
Alternative Format:
Your Name
Address
City, State Zip Code
[Insert Date]
Dear Senator (or Representative) [Insert Last Name]:
My name is [Insert Your Name] and I reside in [Insert Your City, State].
I am deeply troubled by the actions of several non-profit groups that are explicitly engaging in aggressive political campaign activities. Everytown for Gun Safety, and its Moms Demand Action group, are purported non-profits and exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. I am writing you today to alert you to what I believe are activities that clearly fall outside of Everytown’s non-profit charitable purpose and mission.
Non-profits organizations are not supposed to engage in “political campaign activity” and if they do, IRS regulations mandate that the charitable nonprofit will lose its tax-exempt status. I have routinely observed representatives and officers from Everytown and Moms Demand Action engaging in political campaign activity (actively supporting or opposing a candidate for public office), explicitly and well beyond mere lobbying or legislative activities. Examples of their political activity can be found here on their 2017 form 990 return form: https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images…0455af3-9O.pdf
Their own document specifies that
• Page 2 section 4a: “The organization also supported successful candidates for elected office nationwide, most notably in Virginia”.
• Page 34-37 part VI: “In 2017, Everytown For Gun Safety Action Fund made contributions to political candidates and political committees related to promoting the election of candidates who support the enactment of common-sense public safety measures to keep our communities safer from gun violence. In addition, Everytown made coordinated expenditures for communications related to the election of candidates for public office in Virginia and New Jersey.”
Everytown for Gun Safety has provided explicit support and donations for campaign finance activities, including:
• Democratic Governors Association
• Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
• Friends for Adam Morfeld (Nebraska State Senator) $5000
• Friends of Justin Fairfax (Lieutenant Governor of Virginia) $10,000
• Friends of Manka Dhingra (Washington State Senator) $1000
• Murphy for Governor (Governor of New Jersey) $3200
• National Conference of Democratic Mayors $50,000
• Nevada State Democratic Party $25,000
• South Carolina House Democratic Caucus $2500
• Virginia House Democratic Caucus $50,000
• Virginians for Mark Herring (attorney General of Virginia) $70,000
Local representatives of Everytown and Moms Demand Action leaders, actively campaign for political candidates under the banner of these organizations. Political candidates appear at Moms Demand Action meetings to make campaign speeches.
For these reasons, I implore you to investigate whether (i) the Everytown and/or Moms Demand Action have violated the federal laws governing 501(c)(4) charitable organizations since they became Everytown For Gun Safety in 2013, and (ii) if so, consider what remedies are warranted, including asking the IRS to revoke their 501(c)(4) status.
I understand this is a politically charged issue, however, the fact that Everytown and Moms Demand Action are in large part merely a path for “dark money” for with the only beneficiary appears to be Democratic political candidates. These organizations seem to be hiding behind the veneer of non-profit status, while essentially serving as de-facto political action committees.
I sincerely and respectfully ask that, as my representative in Congress, you support an investigation of these organizations, any why they continue to enjoy tax-exempt status while explicitly engaging in political campaign activities.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
Thank you for your time and considering my request.
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