First, you can't actually "own" a 501c3, you can control it. Second, a 501c3 can be beneficial to its donors or controllers, but: "The organization must not b

First, you can't actually "own" a 501c3, you can control it. Second, a 501c3 can be beneficial to its donors or controllers, but: "The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction." A charity that promotes peace on earth may be beneficial to the donors to the charity... but if "optimized for my personal benefit" it is likely to be non-tax-exempt... but I suppose we could debate the exact words used and what they really mean in theory. I think in the above tobacco scenario, the IRS and courts would likely find that the tobacco promotion was merely advertising, and therefore subject to taxation. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organiz...