Small donation to Spokane school board campaign appears to violate federal tax law

A small donation made to a Spokane Public Schools board candidate appears to violate federal tax law.

The Bridge, a gospel church in Spokane, donated $50 to school board candidate Jennifer Thomas’ campaign. Thomas didn’t know the donation violated federal tax law and plans to return the money, she said.

The donation doesn’t violate state law, said a Washington State Public Disclosure Commission employee. However, federal tax law “prohibits political campaign activity by charities and churches.”

The donation occurred when Aaron Tilbury, the founder of the Jonah Project, a nonprofit at which Thomas works, bought two tickets to one of Thomas’ campaign events. Tilbury said he paid for the tickets using a Bridge checkbook. The Jonah Project is an offshoot of the Bridge. Tilbury said the Jonah Project is in the process of filing for its own nonprofit status.

Thomas is challenging school board incumbent Michael Wiser in November’s election.