Support pre-election voter empowerment with tax-deductible donations.
Looking for a year-end tax deduction for your political giving? Are you confused about which donations are both meaningful and tax-deductible? Here are the rules plus some of our recommendations. Tax status information about organizations can be found on their websites.
Rules:
- Donations to groups organized as 501(c)(3) charities generally are tax-deductible. The charity’s activities must be nonpartisan and perform public-service activities, e.g. voter registration and education.
- Donations to groups organized as 501(c)(4) charities that seek to influence legislation, are generally not tax-deductible. Political action committees (PACS) fall into this category.
- Larger charities may have both tax-deductible and non-tax-deductible arms that perform different activities. For example, Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a 501(c)(3) charity that supports reproductive health through education and health services. Donations to PPFA are fully tax-deductible. The affiliated Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) charity that works with legislators and political candidates to advocate for reproductive rights. Donations to the Action Fund are not tax-deductible.
Where to Donate for Tax Purposes: As a starting place, you can scroll through Turn Purple 2 Blue’s curated Recommended Groups. Or if you’re looking to make one or two donations that cover more ground, Force Multiplier is a useful resource (“We do the research so you don’t have to”). Here are two of their fully tax-deductible funds that target key swing states and demographics, mostly in rural and small town communities, and the excellent 501(c)(3) grassroots organizations they support. See full descriptions:
- Democracy in Action educates and builds political power in young people, women, gender-nonconforming folks, people of color, and other historically disenfranchised groups. Grassroots groups supported by this slate: Worker Power Initiative (AZ), New Georgia Project (GA), Forward Montana Foundation (MT), You Can Vote NC (NC), Ohio Women’s Alliance (OH), Make the Road PA (PA).
- Heartland Fund registers, educates, and mobilizes rural and small town voters. Groups supported: RAZA (AZ), Black Male Voter Project/Georgia (GA), We the People MI (MI), Down Home North Caroline (NC), Rural Organizing (OH), and PA United (PA).
Whatever option(s) you choose, your donation(s) will make a difference in 2024!