How is Seward County Bridges, Inc. different from other community organizations?
As noted above, Bridges is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This status is reserved for organizations with purely charitable, religious, or educational purposes (such as churches, universities, hospitals, and public charities like the American Red Cross). Other local organizations generally do not have this status. Country clubs and homeowners’ associations can qualify to be exempt from income tax, but are not eligible to accept tax deductible contributions. Likewise, business, trade, and professional organizations and service clubs are usually exempt from tax, but donors cannot claim a chairtable deduction for contributions or dues. That is why professional organizations that want to promote charitable causes generally establish a separate charitable foundation that has 501(c)(3) status.
