Nonprofit status
501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization
AWARE Southeast operates exclusively for educational and civic engagement purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mission statement
Our purpose under federal tax law
AWARE Southeast — Advocacy for Wellness, Access, Rights, and Education — is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our mission is to promote civic education, legislative transparency, and informed public participation in policy decisions affecting the hemp and vapor product industries.
We accomplish this mission by maintaining free, publicly accessible tools that track state and federal legislation, publishing evidence-based research and policy analysis, and providing civic engagement resources that enable citizens to communicate with their elected representatives.
What we do
Exempt activities
- 1Legislative tracking. Real-time monitoring of Alabama state bills, federal legislation, and local ordinances related to hemp agriculture and vapor products, sourced from LegiScan, Congress.gov, and ALISON.
- 2Civic education. Publishing fact sheets, regulatory guides, and policy analyses that cite primary sources — statutes, agency rules, government reports — to help citizens understand how legislation affects them.
- 3Constituent engagement tools. Free district lookup, legislator directories, and email templates that help citizens contact their elected representatives about pending legislation.
- 4Voter registration assistance. Providing links and guidance to official state voter registration resources to support civic participation.
What we don't do
Prohibited activities
- ×No political campaigning. AWARE does not endorse, oppose, or contribute to any candidate for public office. We do not participate in or intervene in political campaigns.
- ×No substantial lobbying. While we provide factual information about legislation and tools for citizens to contact their representatives, we do not engage in substantial lobbying activities as defined by the IRS. Constituent education and nonpartisan issue analysis are permitted educational activities.
- ×No private benefit. No part of our net earnings inures to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder. Our directors and officers serve without compensation from the organization.
- ×No product sales. AWARE does not sell, distribute, or promote the sale of any hemp or vapor products. We are an information and civic engagement platform only.
Governance
Accountability and transparency
Tax status
AWARE Southeast is recognized as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to AWARE are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Funding
AWARE is funded through individual donations, grants, and in-kind contributions. We do not accept funding from any entity that manufactures, distributes, or sells hemp or vapor products. Our funding sources are disclosed in our annual filings.
Public filings
As required by federal law, AWARE's Form 990 annual information return is available for public inspection. Contact info@awaresoutheast.org to request a copy.
Dissolution clause
Asset distribution upon dissolution
Upon dissolution of AWARE Southeast, all remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or to a state or local government for a public purpose. No assets shall be distributed to any officer, director, or private individual.
Questions about our tax-exempt status?
Contact us at info@awaresoutheast.org for questions about our nonprofit status, donation receipts, or to request copies of our public filings.