Differences between
80-20 National Asian American Education Foundation (EF),
and
80-20 National Asian American Political Action Committee (PAC)
There are two separate but equally important organizations under the umbrella of the 80-20 Initiative. They are 80-20 National Asian American Education Foundation (EF); and, 80-20 National Asian American Political Action Committee (PAC). Although both organizations have the identical mission of winning equal opportunity and justice for all Asian Americans, under Internal Revenue Service regulations, they must be managed separately, independently and quite differently.
The 80-20 EF is a 501 (C3) organization, as such it is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and donations to EF are tax deductible. EF is not allowed to engage directly in politics and election influencing. Their primary roles are public education, charity, research, among other non-political activities.
The 80-20 PAC is a Political Action Committee, they fall under strict election laws and are organized around the election/defeat of a candidate or the passage/defeat of a specific piece of legislation. Donations to PACs are non-tax deductible and a matter of public record. PACs can spend whatever money they can raise on many kinds of direct political activities.
In short,
EF
CANNOT give money to PAC to support its missions, and EF CANNOT donate to politicians or to directly defeat/influence/support actions, missions, causes and advocacies for Asian Americans. Only PAC can donate to your politicians. Only PAC can support direct actions to promote/change/defeat laws in the interests of Asian Americans.
You donation to 80-20 EF has had one big advantage because it is tax deductible. However, starting in 2018, due to changes in tax regulations, your standard deduction will be doubled to $24,000 and so the advantage of itemizing taxes to most Americans may no longer exist. However, if you are in the highest tax bracket (37%) earning $600,000 or more and filing joint returns, please give PAC 63% of what you would have given to EF (https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/taxes/federal-income-tax-brackets/).
PAC needs all your help to function effectively! Right now the coffers of EF and PAC are quite unequal, with EF having approximately 30 times more money than PAC. Nevertheless, in the recent past, PAC has given over $100,000 to EF to further our causes, and now PAC needs your help.
Please give generously to PAC
.
Sincerely,
Joel Wong, 80-20 PAC President
For more information on 501 (C3) vs. PAC please follow references below:
