11-13-2007, 11:02 AM
One of the most fundamental separation between a © 3 and the other 501's is the prohibition against political advocacy. Almost all governments have some prohibition in place to prevent a local politician from contributing community (tax payer) funds for support of their own personal political gains or candidacy.
Often, other agencies already have stricter guidelines for dispensing their community (taxpayer) funds that makes it a bit harder (not impossible) to use it for a specific politician’s personal political gain. If the PD has to use it for crime prevention, it would be hard to explain funding of an organization that sole purpose is to oppose big box stores to advance a candidate’s position on their behalf. Likewise DOT would be in some trouble if they gave money to a candidates group that is in favor of a politicians position with no ties to transportation, over a group looking to do transportation programs. Discretionary funds normally have little restrictions so the © 3 prohibition places some curbs on political abuse.
Often, other agencies already have stricter guidelines for dispensing their community (taxpayer) funds that makes it a bit harder (not impossible) to use it for a specific politician’s personal political gain. If the PD has to use it for crime prevention, it would be hard to explain funding of an organization that sole purpose is to oppose big box stores to advance a candidate’s position on their behalf. Likewise DOT would be in some trouble if they gave money to a candidates group that is in favor of a politicians position with no ties to transportation, over a group looking to do transportation programs. Discretionary funds normally have little restrictions so the © 3 prohibition places some curbs on political abuse.