[thegranderson]

In what way is this "donation" not a bribe? Just because it goes to the government at large vs. an individual?

[wayn3]

I guess the difference is that a bribe would go to an individual. As in - an individual would then be doing something that is in conflict with what the organization he's working for would otherwise do.

If you just "bribe" the organization, there's no conflict of interest. "We want to build this" "we dont want you to" "heres some money" "ok".

Its a bit like negotiating with the CEO vs. bribing a lone DBA about getting access to proprietary data.

[jimlawruk]

A bribe is secret and typically illegal. This type of exception to the rule would be completely public and could be debated, discussed, voted on, etc.