Foreign Grants: The Darkest of “Dark Money”
New tax filings reveal tens of millions of dollars in “dark money” flowing from the massive nonprofit network managed by the consulting firm Arabella Advisors. But it’s not of…
501(c)(4)
Some Suggestions for Improving the Form 990
Each year, tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations and foundations are required to file returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Most of these groups file Form 990, while § 501(c)(3) private foundations…
ActBlue: The Left’s “Dark Money” Portal
On the Bill Meyer Show, Hayden Ludwig discusses ActBlue, the biggest “black money” fundraising arms of the Left. In 2020, ActBlue pulled in $407 million and distributed it to hundreds…
501(c)(4)s and “Dark Money”: Evolution of (c)(4)s
Nonprofit “social welfare” organizations are allowed to engage in partisan political campaigning without disclosing their donors under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Supreme Court’s decision in…
501(c)(4)s and “Dark Money”: Origins of (c)(4)s
After the 16th Amendment permitting a federal income tax was ratified in 1913, Congress began defining what could and could not be taxed. The Senate Finance Committee amended a tax…
501(c)(4)s and “Dark Money”: Regulatory Struggles
Section 501(c)(4) of the IRS Code makes a distinction between political speech and social welfare. This and subsequent rulemaking has led to "an 'anything goes' approach to these activities by…
501(c)(4)s and “Dark Money”: A Definition of “Dark Money”
Sunlight and the Center for Public Integrity are just two among many organizations and allied journalists that track and criticize “dark money,” which define as political money whose source isn't…
501(c)(4)s and “Dark Money”: Donor-Advised Funds
Another significant phenomenon in (c)(3) money flows is the use of donor-advised funds, also known as “DAFs,” which are the fastest-growing sector of philanthropy. DAFs allow a donor to deposit…
501(c)(4)s and “Dark Money”: “Dark Money” Usage
The term "dark money" has entered the public discourse, often used (and misused) by the media and politicians. Among the examples is a serial offender: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), whose…