Day Two of the Independent Sector Public Policy Action Institute kicked off with a session on tax reform moderated by Kyle Caldwell, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and divided into five hot topics. Charitable Deduction. Richard Schmalbeck, Duke University School of Law, discussed the availability of a charitable contribution deduction...
ADVOCACY & LOBBYING
Starting a Nonprofit: The Value of Making the 501(h) Lobbying Election
Lobbying is one of the most underutilized tools available to a charity to advance its mission. Making the very simple 501(h) election is a painless way for most charities to increase their lobbying activities for stronger environmental protections, education reforms, access to health care, and a variety of other...
Alliance for Community Media National Conference (Part Three)
Our final post of resources referenced in our session at the 2013 Alliance for Community Media National Conference, Nuts and Bolts of Nonprofits and Their People, with Syvia Strobel (ACM) and Deborah Vinsel(Thurston Community Television). Timely Nonprofit Issues Unrelated Business Activities: IRS Examination Area The underreporting of unrelated business taxable income...
Nonprofit Webinar on Advocacy, Lobbying, Election-Related Activities
Emily and I are presenting on "Nonprofit Advocacy: Lobbying and Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3)s" for Nonprofit Webinars on April 18, 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Cost: Free. Many nonprofits often desire certain legislative and public policy changes by our legislators and publicly elected officials to help further or achieve their...
Nonprofit Radio: Your Nonprofit in Politics
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of discussing the political campaign activity prohibition on public charities with Tony Martignetti on Nonprofit Radio. The recorded version is available online and can also be downloaded in iTunes. Below are some main highlights from the show and additional follow up: Internal Revenue Code...
2010 Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations
Last Thursday and Friday, I attended one of my favorite annual events, the Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations (WCTEO), co-sponsored by Loyola Law School and the Internal Revenue Service. As always, the event was attended by many prominent attorneys, accountants, and executives who practice in the nonprofit and...
Emerging Leaders Program: Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership
The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) of the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership "addresses the core competencies needed to effectively manage organizations and complex programs as well as the leadership skills one needs to be successful within our quickly changing sector." Last week, Emily Chan and I spoke to...
Citizens United Ruling
On January 21, 2010, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that corporations (including nonprofit corporations and unions) may make direct expenditures on political advertising in support of or in opposition to a candidate for public office. While nonprofit leaders and commentators are...
33 Pastors Violate Ban on Electioneering
UPDATE: On September 28, 2008, 33 pastors from across the country endorsed candidates for political office, an activity which violates Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and jeopardizes the tax-exempt status of their respective churches. This concerted effort was organized by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a 501(c)(3)...
Foundations Supporting Advocacy
Private foundations are subject to strong prohibitions on “direct” and “grassroots” lobbying, generally meaning any direct contact with a member of a legislative body regarding specific legislation and encouragement by the foundation to have individuals contact legislators to convey a position on specific legislation, respectively. However, as the Donor...