Posted on 02/08/2016 8:43:52 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
The Daily Beast is reporting that a small New Hampshire-based veterans charity has turned down a six figure check from Donald Trump. Liberty House turned Trump's money away because they objected to it being given to them in a public setting: a campaign rally for Trump.
The Beast's Tim Mak has more:
On Friday, Liberty House executive director Keith Howard received a call from a Trump campaign staffer, who conveyed that Trump would like to publicly present them with a six-figure check at a Londonderry rally on Monday, right before the Granite State primary.
It's an enormous amount of money for a small charity. But Howard said he wouldn't do it - risking the entire, substantial donation on a point of principle.
Howard, a 57-year-old Army vet, objected to the use of veterans for political purposes. He doesn't believe that his charity - which clothes the homeless, feeds the needy, and provides housing to 10 formerly homeless vets - should be presented with money by a political candidate at a political rally.
"This is not directed at the Trump campaign," Howard said. "This is about any campaign."
Plus, Howard believed appearing at a political rally could jeopardize his group's nonprofit status - something a call to an expert in the state attorney general's office confirmed. And he found it strange that the call was coming from a Trump campaign staffer, rather than someone related to the foundation that raised money for veterans.
The money generated from Trump's Iowa rally, as the Federalist reported, went to Trump's personal foundation first instead of going directly to the charities themselves. The rally was set up by Trump as an alternative to the Iowa Fox News debate he skipped out on.
Read the whole story at the Daily Beast.
The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.
On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.
Well put. Donations should always be made quietly.
A rational intellect takes the money because it would be a significant boost to accomplishing good for the Vets they claim to serve. The same way they attend any PR event when ANY other donor presents a big check.
A politically bigoted moron refuses the money because they value their political dogmas over serving the people they claim to care about.
Don’t try to wrap your emotion based political opinions in a fake gloss of rationality.
At least he can wrap himself in the American flag. It’s apparent you aren’t aware of Trump’s past work with the vets. Until you educate yourself, then maybe you should keep your pie hole shut.
See #96, it turns out that Donald Trump’s organization negotiated with Liberty House, and found a way to allow them to take the money, and keep their principles. This is yet another example of what a Donald Trump Presidency will look like. WIN! — WIN! as a way of life! :-)
Well stated.
"This, I fear, is pious nonsense," Howard wrote at the time. "Liberty House's population, many newly clean and sober, would struggle in an alcohol/drug-friendly environment." Howard speaks from experience, as a recovering alcoholic and vet himself who has struggled with homelessness.
The author confirmed the director’s concern in the article you didn’t read.
Still doesn’t change the fact that DT wants wounded warriors to clap like seals on stage for donations.
Read the rest of the story! Trump made a deal to get them the money and let them keep their principles!
- - - - - - - -
Trump supporter and New Hampshire State Rep. Al Baldasaro called Howard, telling him the mogul would present the check to Baldasaro, himself a vet. The state representative would then deliver the check to Liberty House after the primary in a more subdued way.
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“Liberty House was told by an attorney they could lose their nonprofit status it they are on the stage with Trump... I disagree but respect Keith’s wishes. The check will be presented to me on Monday at the event and I will set up a time to come to Liberty House or do it at the Hall of Flags on behalf of the Trump Foundation,” Baldasaro told The Daily Beast.
“Liberty House got the mountain to move to us, instead of us going to the mountain of cash,” Howard told The Daily Beast. “I can take pride that we maintained our position. I am glad that the Trump campaign has found a way to follow through on what it promised to do.”
Don’t try to dress up your emotions based political opinions in a fake gloss of moral indignation. There is no reason in your position just your daily need to find something to squeal about like stuck pigs.
Don’t like being treated like snotty little brats? Try spending your time making the case FOR you candidates instead of posting shameless smear attacks at the other candidates.
P.S. Biden has visited Liberty House.
Their loss. I’m sure they’re in the tank for Jeb or Christie.
If they don’t want the money, I’m sure that Trump can find another group that has a need. Either the charity has all the money they need, or they are playing politics at the expense of their beneficiaries.
I’m a Cruz supporter but I don’t necessarily think it makes Trump look bad. But I wouldn’t trust the IRS.
[He was willing to accept the money, just not at a Teump campaign rally, which could threaten his organizationâs tax exempt status. More relevant question is, why was Trump trying to give his check as part of a campaign rally?]
Probably to draw attention and give free marketing to the charity, so others can provide their own personal contributions as well.
Good.
Good advice which I’m quite certain will be ignored. They swim in their hate, daily.
Dirty trick
Here’s a thought: How many people here have heard of “Liberty House” before Trump brought them into the spotlight?
Knowing that this Veterans organization even exists, outside of regional and local knowledge would work wonders for a local charity. They couldn’t afford the advertising costs of what Trump just handed to them on a silver platter.
Calling this a cheap political stunt is the same a person admitting that they only give to charity as a tax write-off.
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