Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute has joined a coalition of more than 100 organizations calling on Congress to protect taxpayers and their First Amendment rights to confidentially give to charitable organizations without the fear of intimidation (Read the letter here).

“Sadly, Americans have been intimidated, harassed, and even threatened for their political and religious beliefs, which should never happen in this country,” said Robert Alt, president and chief executive officer of The Buckeye Institute. “Americans have a First Amendment right to join, support, and speak collectively through organizations without being put on a government list that is vulnerable to hackers and leaking to extremists who refuse to tolerate opposing views.”

The coalition sent a letter to Congress calling for the elimination of the 990 Schedule B form requirement for 501(c) organizations, which is a mandatory IRS form that lists names and addresses of donors who give to private charities and other 501(c) organizations. Although the IRS is legally prohibited from using the information collected, the retention of this information, as the letter highlights, has resulted in intimidation and harassment of donors.

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