I've been curious about the financing for our good friends at American Hunters and Shooters Association. It's not like they have a large membership base, and somebody's bankrolling them.
One of the resources I use to check nonprofits is Guidestar. They were useful in checking the IRS filings of the ROOT program for my latest GUNS Magazine article, and a while back some of you may remember this shot across the bow of Freedom States Alliance, just to convince them that two can play their little "outing" game.
What I found when I looked up AHSA was the American Rifle Association Foundation, and opening up their 2006 Form 990 shows the name of their organization is American Hunters and Shooters Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Why they are listed under a different name is anybody's guess, but here is their "mission":
Bottom line for the foundation: gross receipts just under $250K, and all the principles (Rosenthal, Vince, Shoenke, Hickok) say they work 5 hours or less per week for no compensation. But bear in mind this is the foundation, because Part VI, "Other Information," asks if they are related to any other organization, to which they check "Yes," and type in "See Statement 2."
The name of that organization is American Hunters and Shooters Association, Inc., and they, too, are "exempt," but to date no 990 has been posted (unless, as with the foundation, it is listed under another name?).
I leave it to people skilled in such matters to see what conclusions can be drawn--for instance, why is there no Form 990 for AHSA-proper? Do they take in under $25K annually, and are not required to file a form? Is the foundation all there is? Do they rely almost entirely on free publicity from a supportive media? Or hasn't their filing been posted yet?
Beats me. I'm hoping more people looking into this will help bring the information to light. As I understand it, someone ought to be able to just write them and and ask?
UPDATE: While we're at it, here's Freedom States Alliance. $408K in, practically nothing out. Doesn't say much, does it? Particularly about any money being spent. Who pays for "Gun Guys"? Oh, I see--they need an extension...
One of the resources I use to check nonprofits is Guidestar. They were useful in checking the IRS filings of the ROOT program for my latest GUNS Magazine article, and a while back some of you may remember this shot across the bow of Freedom States Alliance, just to convince them that two can play their little "outing" game.
What I found when I looked up AHSA was the American Rifle Association Foundation, and opening up their 2006 Form 990 shows the name of their organization is American Hunters and Shooters Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Why they are listed under a different name is anybody's guess, but here is their "mission":
TO SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE U.S.A. TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS FOR ALL LAWFUL PURPOSES.Right.
Bottom line for the foundation: gross receipts just under $250K, and all the principles (Rosenthal, Vince, Shoenke, Hickok) say they work 5 hours or less per week for no compensation. But bear in mind this is the foundation, because Part VI, "Other Information," asks if they are related to any other organization, to which they check "Yes," and type in "See Statement 2."
The name of that organization is American Hunters and Shooters Association, Inc., and they, too, are "exempt," but to date no 990 has been posted (unless, as with the foundation, it is listed under another name?).
I leave it to people skilled in such matters to see what conclusions can be drawn--for instance, why is there no Form 990 for AHSA-proper? Do they take in under $25K annually, and are not required to file a form? Is the foundation all there is? Do they rely almost entirely on free publicity from a supportive media? Or hasn't their filing been posted yet?
Beats me. I'm hoping more people looking into this will help bring the information to light. As I understand it, someone ought to be able to just write them and and ask?
UPDATE: While we're at it, here's Freedom States Alliance. $408K in, practically nothing out. Doesn't say much, does it? Particularly about any money being spent. Who pays for "Gun Guys"? Oh, I see--they need an extension...