Opinion 26-79

May 7, 2026

Facts/Issue:    May a judge attend a fund-raiser for and/or contribute to New Pride Agenda, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity seeking to advance “economic, health, racial, and gender identity justice needs of marginalized LGBTQIA+ individuals”?  On its website, New Pride Agenda describes its lobbying, advocacy, and charitable activities.

Discussion:     Where a not-for-profit civic or charitable organization engages in some activities permissible for judges as well as some lobbying and advocacy activities that would not be permissible for a judge, the judge “must not become involved in the organization’s litigations, publicly associate him/herself with organizational positions on matters of public controversy, or assume a leadership role in the organization.”  Nonetheless, a judge may be a regular member and/or make charitable contributions, provided it is not a “political organization” under the Rules.

                      In our view, the same principles apply here, and the judge may contribute to New Pride Agenda.

Conclusion:     A judge may attend New Pride Agenda’s charitable fund-raisers and make non-political charitable donations to the entity.

Authorities:  Opinions 23-217; 23-114; 15-77; 14-117; cf Opinion 23-06.