[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Link describing big differences between 501(c)3s and (C)7s

[James Carlisle]

Excellent answer.   I am the treasurer of 2x 501c3 and 1x 501c7.   I use a 51%  rule to be well over the line for initial determination.    The advantage of a c3 is that you can donate to other nonprofits.  A c7 will participate in political activities.

A c3 might donate radios, time, and other equipment to Boy Scouts.

Ac7 might lobby for changes in the HF frequencies available to amateur radio.


James Carlisle
(703) 595-6360
--
"It was exciting, and funny later, but nerve-racking at the time -- adventures suck when you're having them"
     - Neil Peart, Roadshow

________________________________
From: Michael Bartlett <pyrenees109 at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 6:20:47 PM
To: Joe K <joek at 26xx.org>
Cc: ki4bxu at mac.com <ki4bxu at mac.com>; carlisja at gmail.com <carlisja at gmail.com>; treasurer at w4hfh.org <treasurer at w4hfh.org>; alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net <alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Link describing big differences between 501(c)3s and (C)7s

I am not sure what the original question is but the public funding test for a 5013c is 33 1/3% of funds must come from public sources and no single source can exceed 2% with the exception of Federal, State, and Local grants. So a 5013c needs donations from companies, Individuals, or grants of at least 33 1/3 of revenue per year to maintain its IRS status after the first 5 years of formation.

For a 501c7, the rule is 35% of funds can come from non members and a limit of 15% for non members being charged to use member facilities.


On Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 6:10 PM Joe K <joek at 26xx.org<mailto:joek at 26xx.org>> wrote:
Are donations considered grants? Also as a c3 aren’t we required to spend our money in a way that benefits “the mission”? I know this was a consideration for a couple other orgs I’ve been a part of in the past for doing “company events” for the employees.

-Joe K

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On Mon, Aug 11, 2025 at 18:06, Erik Misavage via AlexandriaRadioClub <[alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net<mailto:alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net>](mailto:On<mailto:On> Mon, Aug 11, 2025 at 18:06, Erik Misavage via AlexandriaRadioClub <<a href=)> wrote:

> Rich Morani is the current treasurer. Treasurer at w4hfh.org<mailto:Treasurer at w4hfh.org>.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Aug 11, 2025, at 5:55 PM, James Carlisle <carlisja at gmail.com<mailto:carlisja at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>> 
>> The short answer is, do we take in more than 50% of our income from donations or dues.
>>
>> James Carlisle
>> (703) 595-6360
>> --
>> "It was exciting, and funny later, but nerve-racking at the time -- adventures suck when you're having them"
>> - Neil Peart, Roadshow
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> From: alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net> <alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net>> on behalf of Erik Misavage, KI4BXU via AlexandriaRadioClub <alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net<mailto:alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net>>
>> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 5:12:31 PM
>> To: alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net<mailto:alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net> <alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net<mailto:alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net>>
>> Subject: [Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Link describing big differences between 501(c)3s and (C)7s
>>
>> Income sources are a big factor. For a C3, they rely mainly on public grants. For a C7, they mainly rely on dues.
>>
>> https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/501c7-vs-501c3
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
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