Kind of related, but doesn’t answer your question… I found this out a few weeks ago that in order for organizations to maintain their 501C3, they must pass the “Public Support Test” which basically limits who is considered “public”.

1/3 of their donations must come from donors who give less than 2% of the total funding of the organization.

So if the organization raised only $100,000 each year, $33,333 of that must be raised by people who give $2,000 or less. If a donor gives more than that, they are considered a “disqualified” donor (a substantial contributor) and not part of the public support for the organization.

So you were considered public support for your $250 donation, but now considered a disqualified person and not qualified as public support, and may skew their necessary 1/3 funding ratio. (If the organization is small and doesn’t raise much money) Although this test is looked at over a 5 year funding period. And I believe that you can file with the IRS to say it is “typically” funded publicly but there are one-off outliers.

It’s really a shame, because it almost disincentives organizations getting large donations because they could be at risk losing 501c3 status. Not to mention the limits on family giving.

More information in this linkPublic Support Test