Monday, August 31, 2009

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Important Legal Ruling Impacts Planned Giving Marketing

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Important Legal Ruling Impacts Planned Giving Marketing: "Important Legal Ruling Impacts Planned Giving Marketing
Thursday, August 27, 2009
By: Jonathan Gudema, Esq.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit issued an opinion in a case involving Robert Dillie, this past June. Mr. Dillie operated a fraudulent foundation between 1996 and 2001. This foundation was in actuality a ponzi scheme which issued $55 million in gift annuities to over 400 donors, sold through investment advisers who were receiving commissions on the sales of new gift annuities. He is now serving 121 months in prison for his crimes but the legal fallout from his nefarious operation lives on."

Friday, August 07, 2009

FayObserver.com - -

FayObserver.com - -: ": Actually, nonprofits CAN raffle real property now because the law just changed. - D.H., Raleigh

A: Thanks to David Heinen of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits for correcting us.

We'd obviously missed the fact that this law changed on June 1, and it now permits nonprofit groups to raffle real property with an appraised value of up to $500,000."

How much do charities benefit from charitable gambling? State mandates star ratings; starting at 30%

How much do charities benefit from charitable gambling? State mandates star ratings; starting at 30%: "Things are changing in the world of pulltabs and other charitable gambling allowed by the state, and the Lindstrom Fire Department recently took a step out ahead of the curve. The Minnesota State Legislature revised charitable gambling laws in the last session and one of the actions sets new standards for required giving by a gambling entity. Lindstrom firefighter relief association board members Monday night voted to fine tune their system of allocating charitable gambling proceeds aligning the department with what state lawmakers are hoping to see. (See sidebar story.)"

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Proposed IRS Rules Address Ranking of Official Pursuing Church Tax Inquiries | OMB Watch

Proposed IRS Rules Address Ranking of Official Pursuing Church Tax Inquiries | OMB Watch: "Proposed IRS Rules Address Ranking of Official Pursuing Church Tax Inquiries


The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has proposed rules that would give the Director of Exempt Organizations the authority to pursue church tax inquiries. This became a big issue when a lawsuit, United States v. Living Word Christian Center, was filed challenging the IRS’ assertion of what officials were high ranking enough to initiate church tax inquiries. The federal district court in that case ruled that the Director of Exempt Organizations Examinations was not a high enough ranking official to initiate the inquiries."

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

PHILANTHROPY: State to honor businesses that give back - Business - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington

PHILANTHROPY: State to honor businesses that give back - Business - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington: "OLYMPIA – The Secretary of State’s Office has launched “Corporations for Communities,” a new recognition program that will spotlight businesses giving back to the community, a news release states. Twice a year, Secretary of State Sam Reed will select a business for an award and honor its employees at a special ceremony."

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

IRS Releases Proposal to Amend Procedure on Church Audits - Philanthropy.com

IRS Releases Proposal to Amend Procedure on Church Audits - Philanthropy.com: "Following a setback in a federal court case earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service is releasing proposed regulations that would change the procedure it follows when pursuing inquiries into churches."

Monday, August 03, 2009

NJ may strike rules over bowling alleys' raffles | AP | 08/02/2009

NJ may strike rules over bowling alleys' raffles | AP | 08/02/2009: "RENTON, N.J. - Bowlers across the state groaned earlier this year when officials cited 59 bowling alleys for allowing leagues to conduct raffles.

The leagues often use the 50/50 raffles, which split proceeds evenly between the winners and the organizers, to raise money for their end-of-season banquets and other purposes. But state law requires that raffle proceeds go to charity , a requirement unknown to many alley owners until they were told they had to pay $3,000 each."