A reader warns:
Be careful when HRC answers you on their membership. They cannot claim as members people who give them tax deductible contributions. When a person gives a charitable (501 c3) contribution, they cannot receive anything of value in return (like a membership). If HRC admits these people are getting membership for a tax deductible contribution, they are in big trouble with the IRS.
Hmmm. Then this:
A year or so ago I purchased a card at the HRC store in Washington DC. They asked for some information, I asked them if this was going to put me on a mailing list, they said no, that they were just keeping a record of who came to the store from certain areas.
Well, I’ll spare you the number of mailing lists I was put on, but I will tell you that I started getting letters from them with instructions on "RENEWING MY MEMBERSHIP". I had never joined, paid dues, etc… but because I purchased something in their store, they had added me to their membership rolls.
Update: a reader clarifies:
I don’t think your reader is 100 percent correct. 501c3 givers can indeed be called members, but anything of value they receive as a member must be deducted from their tax-deductible donation amount. At any rate, most people give to the Human Rights Campaign, which is not a 501c3. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation IS a 501c3, and the home of HRC’s nonpolitical work.
Still waiting for the HRC email …
The Dish 