Does Nonprofit Electronic Advocacy Work? by John G. McNutt of University of Delaware | Community Techknowledge

Does Nonprofit Electronic Advocacy Work? by John G. McNutt of University of Delaware | Community Techknowledge: Advocacy is near and dear to the heart of the nonprofit sector. It represents the way that nonprofits advocate for their clients, organizations, and communities. It is also how nonprofits promote causes and create civil society.(1) Advocacy is a full time activity for some in the sector and a part time function for many others. Clearly, nonprofit advocacy fulfills a number of critical functions that are central to the sector. Given the current financial situation of many of the sector’s major funders, this is even more important. Nonprofit advocacy faces a number of challenges. Studies have documented that many nonprofits do not engage in advocacy work. Some organizations violate state or federal regulations. Still other advocates fail to achieve their goals.

Wis. Bill Would Allow Increased Donations

Wis. Bill Would Allow Increased Donations: Credit unions in Wisconsin may soon be able to double their financial support for charitable and community organizations.

The state assembly recently passed Senate Bill 356, which would increase credit unions’ charitable giving limit, set in 1971 at one-half of one percent to 1% of regular reserves. A companion bill, AB 468, also garnered bipartisan support, according to the Wisconsin Credit Union League. The proposal is on its way to Gov. Scott Walker for his signature.

William Daroff: Now Is Not the Time to Discourage Charitable Giving

William Daroff: Now Is Not the Time to Discourage Charitable Giving: I was hopeful that the new White House budget released last week would be more friendly to charities and charitable tax deductions than the proposed budgets in past years. Yet I was once again disappointed. Fortunately, thanks to the overwhelming number of Members of Congress from both parties who understand the critical importance the tax code plays in incentivizing charitable contributions, it is unlikely that the proposal will become law.

How Government Should Help Philanthropy: The Council on Foundations Perspective - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

How Government Should Help Philanthropy: The Council on Foundations Perspective - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: In any case, realizing that this lack of knowledge and some skepticism about philanthropy exists among legislators, Schulz has begun to shift the Council’s approach to Congress, from presenting one-sided issue papers to position papers that show not only the council’s position but also what “detractors” say in opposition.

And unsurprisingly, COF is largely focused on tax proposals this year. The proposal to flatten the private foundation excise tax, currently a confusing two-tiered tax that most foundation and nonprofit policy people think should be simplified to something in the one percent range, not only gets endorsed broadly within the nonprofit sector, but usually in the federal budget proposals of successive presidents.

White House Says Charitable Giving Won’t Be Hurt by Tax Plan - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

White House Says Charitable Giving Won’t Be Hurt by Tax Plan - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: White House Says Charitable Giving Won’t Be Hurt by Tax Plan

By Lisa Chiu

Washington

The White House on Thursday took pains to explain its recent proposals to limit the value of tax breaks that wealthy people can take for their charitable gifts.

Nonprofit leaders are concerned about two parts of Obama’s budget plan announced Monday: one that would limit write-offs for all itemized deductions, including those for charitable donations, to 28 percent for affluent people, compared with the 35 percent rate many wealthy people now pay; and the so-called Buffett Rule, which requires anybody with income of more than $1-million to pay at least 30 percent in taxes.

N.Y. State Issues Plan for Revising Oversight of Nonprofits - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

N.Y. State Issues Plan for Revising Oversight of Nonprofits - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: N.Y. State Issues Plan for Revising Oversight of Nonprofits

February 17, 2012, 9:17 am

A legislative blueprint for overhauling the regulation of charities in New York, released Thursday by the attorney general, would broaden the state’s powers to rein in executive compensation but also offer financial assistance to struggling groups, according to The New York Times.

Preserving Charity Tax Breaks Won't Be Main Goal of Nonprofit Coalition - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Preserving Charity Tax Breaks Won't Be Main Goal of Nonprofit Coalition - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Independent Sector, a coalition of nonprofits and foundations that has waged a vigorous campaign against proposals to limit the charitable deduction for wealthy people, has now decided to devote more attention to other aspects of budget and tax policy that could harm poor people.

OSCR publishes reference guide on protecting charitable status - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

OSCR publishes reference guide on protecting charitable status - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Scotland’s charity regulator has today published a reference report to help charities understand and address potential issues in meeting the requirements of charitable status.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)'s Protecting Charitable Status is a summary of its reviews over the past six years, used as a guide for charities and information for the public.

'Buffett Rule' Tax Bill Would Preserve Charitable Deduction - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

'Buffett Rule' Tax Bill Would Preserve Charitable Deduction - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to require the richest Americans to pay a minimum share of their income in taxes, but allow them to continue claiming a deduction for charitable giving.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, aims to put into effect the so-called “Buffett Rule” that was championed by President Obama in his State of the Union address.

Some Churches Hope Albany Will Act to Allow Renting School Space to Pray - NYTimes.com

Some Churches Hope Albany Will Act to Allow Renting School Space to Pray - NYTimes.com: The issue of using public schools for religious services has been a matter of debate for decades. Because of a recent federal court ruling that upheld a city policy of not allowing religious services in public schools, dozens of congregations throughout New York have been told that they must move; next Sunday will be the last time they will be allowed to rent space in schools for services.

The Park Slope church got a head start when space at a nearby parish became available.

Fundraising self-regulation could expand, says new PFRA chair - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits:Charity sector self-regulation is ripe for expansion, according to the new chairman of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.

In an interview with civilsociety.co.uk, after three weeks in his role as the first paid PFRA chair, Paul Stallard said that with the Charities Act 2006 review underway this year, the fundraising sector has a chance to prove the effectiveness, and expand the role, of self-regulation.