The Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission, Hans van Spakovsky, proposed an Interim Final Rule exempting certain grassroots lobbying communications from advertising restrictions imposed by the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. The exemption would apply where, among other things, the communication (i) is directed at an incumbent in his...
New Rules Regarding Unsolicited Faxes Sent by Nonprofits
Guidestar reports that beginning August 1, 2006, nonprofit organizations sending unsolicited fax advertisements must comply with several new rules, including the following: The organization must have an existing business relationship with the recipient or express written permission from the recipient to receive unsolicited fax ads. The fax must identify...
Senate Passes Pension Bill With Charitable Incentives and Reforms
On Thursday, August 3, the Senate passed H.R. 4, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which contains a charitable giving incentives package and a charitable reform package. The Independent Sector reports that the bill "represents the most comprehensive series of reforms to the rules governing the charitable sector since...
Charitable Incentives and Reforms Included on House Pension Bill
On July 28, 2006, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which contains a charitable giving incentives package and a charitable reform package . The bill does not contain certain controversial Senate reform provisions such as a mandatory payout requirement for donor-advised funds...
Formation and Control of a 501(c)(3) Affiliate
A 501(c)(3) organization may under proper circumstances be formed and controlled by a 501(c)(4) organization. In order to receive separate tax treatment, the 501(c)(3) must be formed as a separate entity distinct from the 501(c)(4) organization, with a separate federal employer identification number and separate purposes, governing documents, bank...
“An Inconvenient Truth”
This is my first post recommending a movie. See "An Inconvenient Truth." Visit www.climatecrisis.net. It’s not just about global warming; it’s about the most unimaginably devastating and horrendous consequences … * to the environment,* to coastal populations,* to children,* to the poor,* to the animals,* to the plants,* to...
San Francisco Business Times’ Top Corporate Philanthropists
Below is a partial list of the 65 Top Corporate Philanthropists in the Greater Bay Area published by The San Francisco Business Times in the “Corporate Philanthropy 2006” supplement to its July 21-27, 2006 issue. The rankings were based on total cash contributions paid to Bay Area-based charitable organizations...
Special Rule for Paid Mass Media Advertisements
A paid mass media advertisement that does not qualify as a grass roots lobbying communication under the three-part definition (discussed below*) will be presumed to be a grass roots lobbying communication if it: is made within 2 weeks before a vote by a legislative body or committee (but not...
Referendum, Ballot Initiative or Similar Procedure (Part I)
Lobbying is generally defined as a communication to legislators intended to influence specific legislation. Legislation includes action by the public in a referendum, initiative, constitutional amendment or similar procedure. Such procedures become specific legislation when the petition to place the measure on a ballot is first circulated among voters...
Starting a Nonprofit
Attached is a 2-page Cheat Sheet on Starting a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation modified from a handout accompanying my presentation for The Foundation Center earlier this year: Download cheat_sheet_starting_a_nonprofit.doc