Taylor: Nonprofits must stay above the political fray

The nonprofit sector is a place to serve and solve problems.

It brings together community leaders, lawmakers, academics and volunteers to create positive change in our communities. For nearly 70 years, a provision in the federal tax code Section 501(c)(3), known as the Johnson Amendment, has protected nonprofits’ work from the ever-increasing political partisanship that’s plaguing our country.

In exchange for tax-exempt status, a charitable nonprofit, foundation, or religious organization may “not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” It ensures that organizations remain dedicated to their missions, the public good and remain above the political fray.

The Johnson Amendment protects the integrity and independence of charitable foundations. It shields the entire sector against partisan politics, allowing the nonprofit community to be a space where everyone is welcome to help better the lives of others regardless of political affiliation or belief.

It ensures that nonprofits are operating from a mission-first mindset, without any ulterior partisan motives. Nonprofits remain among the most trusted institutions in America with 52% of those surveyed saying they have a high level of trust in nonprofits. Political endorsements would no doubt corrode this trust and the altruistic purpose of nonprofits, creating credibility issues while limiting their effectiveness.

As the bridge between government services and the private sector, remaining nonpartisan is critical to 501(c)(3) organizations’ ability to work with elected officials regardless of political party. The issues that nonprofits work to address defy political labels. Hunger, domestic violence and addiction, to name a few, impact people regardless of their party affiliation. Their solutions are the same and require that nonprofits work with all policymakers. The Johnson Amendment ensures that those relationships remain above board and are centered on improving our communities.

The protections the Johnson Amendment affords nonprofit organizations are critical for maintaining the institutional integrity of the sector. Without it, 501(c)(3)s would fall victim to the corrosive politicization that plagues our society and compromise their ability to live out their missions.

Marnie Taylor is president and CEO of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. She can be reached at 405-463-6886, ext. 201, ormtaylor@oklahomacenterfornonprofits.org.

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