Interim report says affinity groups in PCUSA should not identify donors
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, March 30, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Independent organizations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) – also known as “affinity groups” – would be required to submit a copy of their IRS Form 990 to qualify for exhibit space at General Assemblies, according to a report to the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly.
The writing team drafting a policy in response to action by the 216th General Assembly presented its interim report Tuesday afternoon at COGA’s meeting in the Presbyterian Center, the downtown Louisville headquarters of the PCUSA.
COGA member Kent Grimes of Memphis, who reviewed the writing team’s response, first noted that the General Assembly mandate referred to affinity groups that included the name “Presbyterian Church (USA).” But there’s no affinity group that uses the denomination’s full name in its organizational name, he said. Therefore, by following the General Assembly’s instructions to the letter, Grimes said that whatever policy evolved wouldn’t apply to anyone.
The General Assembly also called for a consideration of requiring affinity groups to identify all of their donors who gave $1,000 or more. Grimes’ committee suggested that idea be scotched. He asked, “What’s all that about? Is it harassment?”
A spirited discussion followed about why affinity groups should be required to provide the names of their top donors.
COGA member Katherine Cunningham said the purpose of the donors’ list was to identify whether non-Presbyterians were trying to influence General Assembly decisions.
“It’s all about transparency,” she said. “A $1,000 contribution is a sizeable contribution. Those people generally have a high level of influence.”
Paul J. Masquelier, vice chairman of the General Assembly Council and the liaison to COGA, suggested that instead of listing all $1,000 contributors, the policy for affinity groups might be to list their top 10 donors.
But John Detterick, the executive director of the General Assembly Council, said any required listing of donors would be sensitive for the affinity groups, as well as the denomination. He noted that the PCUSA raises money from people with the assurance that their names will not be publicized.
After Detterick made his point, Masquelier noted that congregations also do not publicly identify their top donors.
The affinity groups cover the theological spectrum in the PCUSA, from those promoting an orthodox understanding of the Reformed faith (such as the Presbyterian Lay Committee and Voices of Orthodox Women) to those that are opposed to classical orthodoxy (such as the Covenant Network and More Light Presbyterians).
Grimes quickly cut off the discussion and said the writing team would finish its final draft before COGA’s next meeting.
As it stands, the committee’s report calls for no listing of individual donors and a single requirement – the Form 990 – to rent exhibit space during the General Assembly.
The Form 990 is a public document that charitable organizations must file with the IRS. It lists an organization’s directors, purposes and financial information.