People United for Privacy Foundation

People United for Privacy Foundation (EIN: 82-3439592) is a United States-based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the privacy rights of individuals who donate to nonprofit causes. Established in 2018 as an independent 501(c)(3) entity, the Foundation originated from an initiative launched in 2016 as part of the State Policy Network (SPN), a network of conservative and libertarian think tanks and advocacy groups.

Mission and Objectives

The Foundation's mission is to pursue a comprehensive reform strategy aimed at advancing federal legislation that codifies personal privacy rights nationwide. It leads a coordinated effort across all 50 states to safeguard these rights for all Americans until robust federal protections are enacted. Its approach includes spearheading targeted litigation to strengthen and expand landmark First Amendment case law related to donor privacy and educating donors about giving strategies that reduce the risk of exposure. The Foundation collaborates with broad coalitions representing Americans of varied beliefs to highlight the importance of donor privacy in public discourse about policy and governance[3][4].

Activities and Programs

Among its key programs is the Personal Privacy Protection Act campaign, through which the Foundation educates the public and policymakers on First Amendment rights and protections to ensure donors to nonprofits can contribute without fear of having their identities disclosed publicly. The campaign advocates against state and federal government efforts to compel nonprofits to disclose donor identities, asserting that such disclosures could chill free speech and association rights[5].

History and Affiliations

People United for Privacy was initially formed as a project of the State Policy Network in 2016. In July 2018, Alan Dye, a lawyer associated with the American Legislative Exchange Council and the SPN network, registered People United for Privacy as a 501(c)(4) organization and the People United for Privacy Foundation as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Both share a registered address linked to Dye's law firm. IRS filings from 2018 indicate that the Foundation delegated management duties to SPN during that year, suggesting an ongoing operational connection, although the organization presents itself as independent[3].

Governance and Financials

The Foundation operates as a public charity under section 509(a)(1) or (2). It has undergone independent audits to ensure transparent financial practices. Financial data indicate the organization maintains sufficient liquidity and a stable balance sheet, with adequate cash reserves relative to current liabilities, reflecting sound fiscal management typical for nonprofit organizations engaged in advocacy and education[5].

Significance

People United for Privacy Foundation plays an active role in the contemporary debate over donor disclosure laws in the United States. By framing donor privacy as integral to the protection of free speech and association under the First Amendment, the Foundation positions itself as a defender of constitutional rights in the nonprofit sector. Its efforts contribute to ongoing policy discussions about balancing government transparency with individual privacy rights in charitable giving.

Note: This summary is based on publicly available information, including IRS filings and organizational descriptions, reflecting the Foundation’s mission, history, activities, and affiliations as of 2024.

[1] https://unitedforprivacy.com/about/ [2] https://unitedforprivacy.com [3] https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/People_United_for_Privacy [4] https://spn.org/organization/people-united-for-privacy-foundation/ [5] https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/63d96cd2-f72e-4a5e-b1e3-8c51d015963e