On September 11, 2018, the Ninth Circuit reversed a district court’s decision barring the State of California from requiring Thomas More Society (the “Law Center”) and The Americans for Prosperity Foundation (the “Foundation”) to provide a list of their most significant donors to the state. 

Both organizations, registered as Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organizations, had successfully argued at the trial court level that California’s requirement that they file an annual form listing the names of donors who donated 2% or more of their organizations’ total receipts violated the First Amendment right to free association by deterring donors.

The Ninth Circuit found that California had a substantial government interest in collecting donor information for law enforcement purposes.  The AG claimed that “’such information is necessary to determine whether a charity is actually engaged in a charitable purpose, or is instead violating California law by engaging in self-dealing, improper loans, or other unfair business practice’…”   

Having found a substantial government interest, the Ninth Circuit weighed whether requiring the Law Center and the Foundation to disclose donor names presented a “substantial threat of harassment” to the disclosed persons.  The non-profits argued that requiring the disclosure of donor names to the state would both deter donors and subject contributors to “threats, harassment, and reprisals”. 

Both organizations offered evidence suggesting that their donors feared retaliation from both federal and state regulatory agencies, including the IRS.  The Foundation argued that California state regulators harbored negative views of its opinions and supporters Charles and David Koch and could take action against contributors.  It also showed that individuals associated with the Foundation, such as its CEO, had been harassed and targeted and that large contributors had received death threats.

The Ninth Circuit held that while there was evidence of reprisals, those claims were insufficient to abrogate California’s disclosure rule.  The Court noted that the Law Center failed to show that any of its contributors had been harassed.  The Court wrote that the co-founder of the Law Center testified that he had never had a conversation with a contributor who would not contribute due to fear of public disclosure and that the Law Center had disclosed more than what was required in previous filings. 

At most, the Ninth Circuit held that the evidence offered by the plaintiffs supported a “modest” impact on potential contributors. It wrote that the “mere possibility that some contributors may choose to withhold their support does not establish a substantial burden on First Amendment rights.”

Ultimately, the Court concluded threats, harassment or reprisals due to the disclosure requirement were not reasonably likely because the disclosure filings are confidential, and may not be disclosed except in a court or administrative proceeding brought by the AG or in response to a search warrant.

Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Xavier Beccera, Ninth Circuit, September 11, 2018.

Related Insights

Mar 09, 2024 BKLW News

U.S. Department of Justice plans to make whistleblowing pay in more cases

High-ranking DOJ officials have announced a program in the works to improve the incentives to blow the whistle on large-scale corporate misconduct. The False Claims Act already provides monetary compensation to individuals...
Mar 06, 2024 BKLW News

Appellate Specialist Alexandra Yates Joins BKLW’s Team as Of Counsel

Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP welcomes seasoned appellate specialist Alexandra Yates to its dynamic team. With nearly two decades of experience in high-stakes, high-profile, and complex litigation, Alex adds her skill...
Jan 17, 2024 BKLW News

Former Congressman Fortenberry Conviction Reversed on Improper Venue Challenge

Former U.S. Congressman Jeffrey Fortenberry, center, his wife Celeste, and BKLW partner John L. Littrell, right, associate Ryan V. Fraser, left, and paralegal Garrison Giali, far left, arrive at a federal courthouse in Los...