Join the Impact files complaint against Massachusetts Family Institute

JTIMA accuses conservative lobby org of illegal fundraising.

Join the Impact - Massachusetts filed an official complaint Feb. 22 against conservative lobby organization Massachusetts Family Institute, claiming that MFI is engaging in illegal fundraising practices.

The Massachusetts Family Institute has been known to target LGBT-friendly legislation and equal rights efforts. One of the group's main legislative goals is to prevent the Transgender Civil Rights Act -- what the MFI refers to on their website as the "Bathroom Bill" -- from becoming law. Also known as "An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights," the Transgender Civil Rights Act would add gender identity and expression to existing Massachusetts civil rights laws. Current laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, and marital status in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit.

Join the Impact has formally requested that Attorney General Martha Coakley to investigate what they called "unfair and deceptive fundraising practices -- including assertions that contributions to support lobbying are eligible for tax deductions."

Because the Massachusetts Family Institute presents itself as a political lobbying organization on its website (www.mafamily.org), Join the Impact says they are violating federal law by stating that donations to their organization are tax-deductible. According to federal law 26 U.S.C. � 501(c) (3), no more than an insubstantial part of contributions benefiting from a tax subsidy may be used for "activities...[of] carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation." Such a violation would encourage donations and therefore put the Massachusetts Family Institute at a higher advantage than other non-profit groups.

"The Massachusetts Family Institute is working to deny LGBT people equal protections under the law at the same time they are breaking the law," said Chris Mason, co-chair of Join the Impact. "All we ask is that the MFI play by the rules; nothing more, nothing less."

In response to the complaint, Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, told Bay Windows, "As a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, Massachusetts Family Institute engages in advocacy and education in accordance with federal and state tax codes. Celebrating our 20th anniversary, we have a solid track record of full compliance with the law."