Non-Profit

Supreme Court upholds First Amendment Rights, protecting donor privacy in California

In the case of Americans For Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta, the Supreme Court ruled that California cannot demand a copy of Form 990 Schedule B, which includes the names and addresses of donors, from charitable organizations.

Like most states, California requires organizations soliciting donations within the state to register with the Attorney General. Unlike other states, California had required a complete copy of the organization’s Form 990 Schedule B. This includes the names and addresses of donors who gave more than $5,000 or, in special circumstances, more than 2% of total contributions for the year.

The Supreme Court concluded that California’s disclosure requirement imposes a widespread burden on donors’ associational rights.

You can learn more about this case here:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-251_p86b.pdf

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