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“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЛЮТИЙ 2016 WWW.UNWLA.ORG 17 SAFEGUARDING UNWLA’S TAX-EXEMPT STATUS: What Every Member Must Know Speech delivered at the UNWLA XXX Convention on May 25, 2014, in Tarrytown, NY by U.S. Administrative Law Judge Oksana Xenos UNWLA Parliamentarian The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America is a public charity, which means that we are an organization that is exempt from feder- al income taxation. As such, donations to the UNWLA are fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. The UNWLA‘s tax exemption is rec- ognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), which is the most advanta- geous form of tax exemption. It means that our organization is dedicated to one or more federally recognized charitable purposes, specifically listed in the IRC. These statutorily recognized purposes are education, religion, health, and welfare. There are nearly 2 million tax-exempt or- ganizations operating in the United States. Of these, well over one half are section 501(c)(3) or- ganizations such as the UNWLA. But like with all things in life, there are trade-offs. In return for tax-exempt status, the UNWLA, like all other public charities, must abide by the federal laws and regulations govern- ing such organizations. That means, among other things, that we must operate strictly in accord- ance with the exempt purposes that are specified in our bylaws. There are six of these: a) Preserve national identity and cultural herit- age by means of studies and research of Ukrainian history, literature, arts, and tradi- tions; b) Initiate efforts, the goals of which are to in- form the American people about Ukrainian culture and to encourage them to become ac- quainted with Ukrainian literature, arts, so- cial, and national ideals and aspirations; c) Provide financial assistance to Ukrainians within and outside the United States, specifi- cally in educational studies and research in Ukrainian history and culture; d) Initiate and uphold ties with other Ukrainian, as well as American and international organi- zations, for educational and charitable pur- poses, especially with women’s organizations; e) Support the Ukrainian Museum in New York City; and f) Participate in the Ukrainian, American, and international women’s movements. [Bylaws, page 7]. The UNWLA accomplishes these essential purposes primarily by soliciting and accepting donations to the funds that it has established. Among these are the Scholarship Sponsorship Program, the Social Welfare Program, the Ukrain- ian Museum, and the Our Life Press Fund. The Scholarship Program has paid out scholarships to students at secondary and higher educational institutions, including seminaries, in Ukraine, United States, Brazil, Argentina, and many other countries. The Social Welfare Program was active during the years of the Holodomor and at the time of the Chornobyl disaster. It also extends its hand to those suffering as a result of natural dis- asters. It helps schools, universities, and hospi- tals, and it provides assistance to needy families. The UNWLA funded breakfasts in schools, helped orphanages, extended aid to the elderly, and it focuses on those confined to old-age homes who desperately need assistance. Most recently, the UNWLA distributed significant sums for humani- tarian needs in connection with the events of Eu- romaidan. The Ukrainian Museum is our source of pride and accomplishment. It was founded in 1976. The museum hosts numerous exhibits, folk art courses, concerts, lectures, and diverse pro- grams for the young and adults. Our expenditures and distributions of money are likewise subject to the six tax-exempt purposes enumerated in our bylaws, which means that the money we pay out must support the funds that we created. Stated another way, we may not solicit money, nor pay out money, for purposes that are not specifically spelled out in our bylaws. It stands to reason, therefore, that we may not contribute money to other organizations whose purposes are not sufficiently similar to those of the UNWLA. Violations of these rules may lead to per- sonal consequences to directors and other execu- tives of exempt organizations, who act contrary to their ethical or fiduciary obligations to their or- ganizations. In your capacity as a UNWLA director, executive officer, regional or branch president, or
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