Hi Jerzee . . .

So, it appears, that allowing political groups free (or paid) use of a
museum's facility runs counter to neither the Wings over the Rockies Air
and Space Museum's mission statement, nor the regulations governing
non-profit political involvement.  Provided a museum's policy is
consistent (i.e., equal treatment toward all political parties), they
could charge or waive rental fees?  (Waiving a rental fee would not
qualify as a contribution of money.)

Sincerely,

Jay Heuman





> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Jerzee Girl
> Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 4:12 pm
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Should Museums Lend Themselves to Political Rallies?
>
> This is the museum's mission statement posted on Guidestar.org:
>
> THE WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES AIR & SPACE MUSEUM,
> INC.'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE,
> PRESERVE AND EXHIBIT THE HERITAGE OF MILITARY, CIVIL
> AND COMMERCIAL AVIATION AND SPACE-AGE INVOLVEMENT
> IN THE STATE OF COLORADO AND THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
> REGION.
>
> This is from the legal website Nolo.com in its section about
> not-for-profits:
>
> Limits on Nonprofit Activities
>
> Nonprofit corporations cannot contribute money to political
> campaigns.  Nonprofit corporations with a 501(c)(3) tax
> exemption (the most common) are not allowed to participate
> in political campaigns or contribute money to them. If they do,
> the IRS can revoke their nonprofit status, and can assess a
> special excise tax against the organization and its managers.
>
> Nonprofit corporations can engage in only limited lobbying
> activities.  Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits that influence
> legislation to any "substantial degree" face the loss of their
> nonprofit status. However, for tax-exempt nonprofits that want
> to participate in lobbying, the IRS simply sets a limit on the
> money they can spend on political activities.

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