$2 million deficit for anti-gay marriage group NOM
Fri. November 22, 2013 8:56 AM by Wisconsin Gazette
the national organization for marriage
Washington, D.C. -
The National Organization for Marriage, the nonprofit that for years has lead the campaign against marriage equality in the United States, is ending 2013 facing big political losses and a $2 million deficit.
The Human Rights Campaign reported on Nov. 19 that NOM's latest financial documents show the organization ending the year "in the red," with roughly a $2 million dollar deficit. Three donors accounted for two-thirds of NOM's funding. HRC, the nation's largest gay civil rights group, said in a news release that this is "further evidence that everyday Americans have little interest in furthering NOM's extremist agenda."
HRC said a 990 form provided by the National Organization for Marriage Education Fund shows the charitable group loaning the lobbying-political group NOM about $1.7 million. HRC said the loan raises a question: Can the charity loan the political group money without violating its tax-exempt status?
HRC obtained the documents after filing a federal complaint with the IRS, pointing out that federal law requires organizations to release their 990s the same day an in-person request is made — which HRC did late last week.
"It's becoming increasingly difficult to look at the so-called National Organization for Marriage as a viable entity," said Fred Sainz, HRC's vice president of communications. "The organization draws its funds from just a few mega-donors and it boasts a losing electoral track record over the past few years that reflects how increasingly out-of-step NOM's anti-LGBT agenda is with the values of the average American voter."
HRC said the documents show that NOM spent nearly $5.7 million last year on its unsuccessful efforts to block marriage equality in the states — specifically in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington and to oust Iowa justices who upheld equality.
NOM was established in 2007 and played a role in the effort to pass Proposition 8 in California. The ballot initiative, which defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman in the state, has since been overturned.
The Human Rights Campaign reported on Nov. 19 that NOM's latest financial documents show the organization ending the year "in the red," with roughly a $2 million dollar deficit. Three donors accounted for two-thirds of NOM's funding. HRC, the nation's largest gay civil rights group, said in a news release that this is "further evidence that everyday Americans have little interest in furthering NOM's extremist agenda."
HRC said a 990 form provided by the National Organization for Marriage Education Fund shows the charitable group loaning the lobbying-political group NOM about $1.7 million. HRC said the loan raises a question: Can the charity loan the political group money without violating its tax-exempt status?
HRC obtained the documents after filing a federal complaint with the IRS, pointing out that federal law requires organizations to release their 990s the same day an in-person request is made — which HRC did late last week.
"It's becoming increasingly difficult to look at the so-called National Organization for Marriage as a viable entity," said Fred Sainz, HRC's vice president of communications. "The organization draws its funds from just a few mega-donors and it boasts a losing electoral track record over the past few years that reflects how increasingly out-of-step NOM's anti-LGBT agenda is with the values of the average American voter."
HRC said the documents show that NOM spent nearly $5.7 million last year on its unsuccessful efforts to block marriage equality in the states — specifically in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington and to oust Iowa justices who upheld equality.
NOM was established in 2007 and played a role in the effort to pass Proposition 8 in California. The ballot initiative, which defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman in the state, has since been overturned.
Article provided in partnership with Wisconsin Gazette.