Friday, February 23, 2007

Times Ledger - Cuomo attempts to update state charities Web site

Times Ledger - Cuomo attempts to update state charities Web site: "Just days before Gov. Eliot Spitzer left his post as attorney general he issued a press release urging citizens to be more aware of the charities they have chosen for donations.

Unfortunately for New York residents, they have not been able to check for themselves if a nonprofit is in good standing with the state for the past several weeks because his successor as attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, is updating the Web site."

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

City asking nonprofits for consistent contributions

City asking nonprofits for consistent contributions: "City asking nonprofits for consistent contributions
Organizations' contributions varied widely

Tuesday, February 20, 2007
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Nonprofit groups gave widely different amounts to Pittsburgh under a voluntary agreement to help the city with its financial crisis."

Thursday, February 15, 2007

BillingsGazette.com :: Nonprofits fight bill on openness

BillingsGazette.com :: Nonprofits fight bill on openness: "Nonprofits fight bill on openness

By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Gazette State Bureau
HELENA - Disagreeing with the Schweitzer administration, officials from Montana Higher Education Student Assistance Corp. and Student Assistance Foundation said Wednesday they already conduct business openly and fought being placed under state open meetings laws.

House Bill 578, by Rep. John Musgrove, D-Havre, would put the two nonprofits under the state open meetings law and require that they furnish copies of their financial audits to the legislative auditor."

Journal Gazette | 02/15/2007 | Panel backs charity-run gaming

Journal Gazette | 02/15/2007 | Panel backs charity-run gaming: "General Assembly
Panel backs charity-run gaming
By Niki Kelly
The Journal Gazette

INDIANAPOLIS – Non-profits could allow their employees to work on qualified charitable events under an amendment to a charity gaming bill passed by the House Public Policy Committee on Wednesday.

The change comes largely in response to complaints from Allen County organizations worried they could no longer conduct charity gaming fundraising events under current state rules."

County may allow park patrons to add donations onto fees

County may allow park patrons to add donations onto fees: "County may allow park patrons to add donations onto fees

Thursday, February 15, 2007
By Ann Belser, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Visitors to Settler's Cabin Park soon might have a way to donate to the county facilities they have enjoyed.

When they rent a pavilion or shelter at an Allegheny County park, they will be able to add to their fee as a donation to the park."

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Hampton Union Local News: Poker games up ante in gaming fight

Hampton Union Local News: Poker games up ante in gaming fight: "Poker games up ante in gaming fight

By Susan Morse
smorse@seacoastonline.com

SEABROOK -- As a bill makes its way through the Legislature to eliminate greyhound racing, the local track is diversifying and expanding its revenue through charity-run games of chance.

Texas Hold'Em tournaments expanded from four to five nights a week in early January at the Seabrook Greyhound Park on Route 107. The poker games pay money prizes, and reap gains for charitable organizations sponsoring them."

Bill sets tax breaks for education donors | ajc.com

Bill sets tax breaks for education donors | ajc.com:
Snip snip>>
"corporations and individuals would get tax breaks for making donations that help low-income or disabled children attend private schools under new legislation sponsored by the chairman of the House Rules Committee, Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs).

Donations for extracurricular activities and innovative education at private or public schools — such as pre-k, art, band uniforms and foreign languages — also would get tax breaks.

The legislation creates two new nonprofit designations: the Student Scholarship Organization and the Education Improvement Organization. The second group would provide funds for school programs."

Monday, February 12, 2007

· IN-FORUM ·

· IN-FORUM ·: "Poker legislation has had a run of bad luck in the North Dakota Legislature, where representatives have defeated proposals to raise betting limits and increase the number of times charities could offer the game.

North Dakota charities may run poker tournaments but they are limited to two per year for each organization, with a maximum bet of $1. Under those circumstances, few charities are eager to offer poker, said Rep. William Kretschmar, R-Venturia."

Service Alberta - Home

Service Alberta - Home: "How to Register a Charitable Organization


* Who must be registered?
* Who does not need to be registered?
* Registration Requirements
* Additional Information
* Legislation

Last Updated: March 2004

Who must be registered?

A charitable organization must be registered under the Charitable Fund-raising Act if:

* it uses a fund-raising business, and/or
* it intends to raise more than $25,000 in gross contributions in its financial year from solicitations (requests for contributions) to individuals in Alberta.
* during or after the campaign it finds it has raised more than $25,000. If so, the charity must register within 45 days after the contributions reach $25,000."

Friday, February 09, 2007

Arkansas News Bureau - Bingo regulations still on track, lawmakers say

Arkansas News Bureau - Bingo regulations still on track, lawmakers say: "Bingo regulations still on track, lawmakers say
Friday, Feb 9, 2007

By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - New legislation intended to establish regulations for conducting charitable bingo and raffles addresses concerns raised in an attorney general's about a new constitutional amendment authorizing the games, legislators said Thursday.

In an opinion Wednesday, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said the constitutional amendment passed by voters in November does not allow a charity to hire someone to run bingo games.

Sen. Steve Faris, D-Malvern, asked for the opinion because of concerns that there was an loophole in the amendment that could lead to bingo halls and casinos.

'I felt like we needed some clear direction on whether the amendment passed by voters was written in a way that allows these groups to come in,' Faris said Thursday."

Giving back: The realities of working at a nonprofit - Feb. 8, 2007

Giving back: The realities of working at a nonprofit - Feb. 8, 2007: "ortune) -- Dear Annie: After almost 30 years working in finance and administration (for three big companies and one startup), I'd like to make a radical career change. During my entire adult life so far, I've been active with a couple of volunteer organizations, and on the board of one of them, and I'm wondering how practical it might be to think about working full time for a nonprofit.

Assuming there are charities that could use my business skills, how do I start job hunting? Are there recruiters who specialize in nonprofits? Will I have to take a huge pay cut? -Ready and Willing"

From the Crow's nest: Recycling the wealth

From the Crow's nest: Recycling the wealth: "From the Crow's nest: Recycling the wealth
By Ed Chrostowski

At a time when critics are calling for repeal of the federal estate tax, support for extending it comes from unlikely sources — Bill Gates, one of the nation’s wealthiest men, for example.

There is no such backing for Connecticut’s estate tax. In fact, a loud cry for eliminating it once again echoes through the halls of the General Assembly."

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Okla. Senate Committee Passes Bill Protecting Volunteers from Lawsuits

Okla. Senate Committee Passes Bill Protecting Volunteers from Lawsuits: "Okla. Senate Committee Passes Bill Protecting Volunteers from Lawsuits

February 7, 2007

A measure that will exempt volunteers who provide transportation services for charitable organizations or not-for-profit corporations from liability lawsuits passed out of the Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee."

SitNews - Charitable raffles and lotteries bill introduced

SitNews - Charitable raffles and lotteries bill introduced: "Charitable raffles and lotteries bill introduced


February 07, 2007
Wednesday AM

Not-for-profit organizations will be able to promote charitable raffles and lotteries by way of radio or television broadcasting under legislation recently introduced by Representative Kyle Johansen (R-Ketchikan)."

Governor To Sign Legislation For Aid To Fallen Firefighters - News

Governor To Sign Legislation For Aid To Fallen Firefighters - News: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign legislation in Cabazon on Wednesday allowing the families of five firefighters who died battling the Esperanza wildfire to collect more than $1.3 million in public donations without paying state taxes."

Friday, February 02, 2007

Community News - Reilly gives away 2006 salary to nonprofits

Community News - Reilly gives away 2006 salary to nonprofits: "ALBANY - Assemblyman Bob Reilly (D-Clifton Park) kept his campaign pledge to take no salary for the second year in a row and instead has distributed his entire legislative pay to appreciative organizations within his district.
The Jan. 25 ceremony held in the bowels of the Legislative Office Building in Albany drew 50 interested parties to witness and receive the grants. Reilly and his three-person selection committee doled out checks to 17 organizations totaling $72,400, the amount he earned as an Assemblyman in 2006."

cbs2.com - Assembly Approves Fallen Firefighters Bill

cbs2.com - Assembly Approves Fallen Firefighters Bill: "he Assembly unanimously approved a bill Thursday to aid the families of the five firefighters who died in the arson-caused Esperanza fire last October.

Senate Bill 41, the California Fallen Firefighters Assistance Tax Clarification Act, was approved in a vote Thursday morning, Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Palm Desert, who co-authored the bill said."