Reaffirming (Donor) Freedom This Independence Day
In a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case issued just days before the anniversary of our nation’s birth, the Court ruled to protect Americans’ freedom of association in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta. This important decision safeguards the privacy of donors and reaffirms our freedoms at a time when public officials had started implementing policies to squelch them.
The Supreme Court struck down California’s law requiring nonprofits to disclose their private and sensitive donor rolls with the state. Mind you, the Schedule B listing of significant contributors is already provided to the IRS. After repeated breaches of private donor information by government officials entrusted to protect it, we celebrate this important move by the Court to keep private donor information out of the hands of state bureaucrats who may have a political ax to grind…or any other number of motives for abuse. Donors shouldn’t have to worry that their good deeds and noble philanthropic pursuits could be spilled across the pages of the mainstream press without their consent.
Philanthropy is part of what makes the American tapestry so unique. Voluntary association, generosity, helping one’s neighbor, and both open and anonymous charity have done more to save and change people’s lives in America than any government program or initiative ever could. It’s part of what makes America so special and worth protecting.
The experiment set forth nearly 250 years ago by our Founders requires diligence and courage on behalf of Americans to stand up when our leaders impose restrictions that inhibit freedoms, especially those protected by the First Amendment.
We commend those courageous few (AFP) who stood up against the California bureaucrats seeking to stockpile donors’ names and private information…under the guise of fraud detection. Donor privacy—and by extension the assurance of the First Amendment’s freedom of association—is the hallmark of a strong and vibrant philanthropic sector.
Today, we celebrate with donors across this land who will retain their rights to privacy, protect their freedom to associate, and continue making this country the brightest beacon for freedom the world has ever seen. Happy Independence Day!
