Nonprofit Status Masks Donors Behind Lobbying Efforts

Citizens Against Government Waste, in Washington, is one of many nonprofit groups that receive significant funds from corporations and trade associations to lobby but do not have to disclose their donors’ names to the public, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

The article says Citizens Against Government Waste has received funds to lobby on behalf of Mexican avocado growers, as well as tobacco companies and health-club associations.

A report from the Senate Finance Committee criticized the activities of Citizens Against Government Waste and other nonprofit groups with ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, saying they “appear to have perpetrated a fraud” by using their tax-exempt status to hide the identities of their donors while engaging in activities similar to those of registered lobbyists.

The Senate committee has vowed to look into the laws that govern nonprofit lobbying activities.