Community organizations often sell shirts, hats, bags, souvenirs and other merchandise.
There is nothing inherently wrong with that.
But if the merchandise is being presented as something that supports local marketing, business development or community promotion, there should be a clear connection between the revenue and the claimed mission.
Ask:
- Where does the money go?
- What does it fund?
- What business services were created with it?
- How many businesses benefited?
- What measurable promotion resulted?
- Is there a report?
The point is not to assume wrongdoing.
The point is to understand the product.
If merchandise funds operations, say that.
If it funds advertising, show the advertising.
If it funds business-development tools, show the tools.
Clear accounting protects both the organization and the businesses supporting it.