New IRS Gift Substantiation Guidelines Opposed by National Council of Nonprofits | Nonprofit Quarterly

New IRS Gift Substantiation Guidelines Opposed by National Council of Nonprofits | Nonprofit Quarterly: "A new voluntary gift substantiation regime proposed by the IRS is being opposed by the National Council of Nonprofits as well as a number of individual state associations of nonprofits.

The system would provide an alternative to the “contemporaneous written acknowledgements” now in use by providing 501(c)(3) nonprofits with the option to report gifts over $250 to the IRS by the donor’s social security number. Though it is not intended to be mandatory, it is seen as being confusing, unnecessary, and potentially injurious to giving. NCN’s statement reads:"



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Bill Gates 'Hopeful' China Will Amend Laws to Boost Philanthropy - Bloomberg Business

Bill Gates 'Hopeful' China Will Amend Laws to Boost Philanthropy - Bloomberg Business: "hina should amend legislation to make it easier for philanthropy to grow, Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates said in an television broadcast Saturday.
“Certainly the status quo is not ideal,” Gates said in an interview with state-owned China Central Television. He said his charity foundation had shared its thoughts with the country’s ministry of civil affairs and had hired consultants to report on the issue."



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Changes to lottery law | Third Sector

Changes to lottery law | Third Sector: "The government has laid before parliament a draft order to amend schedule 11 to the Gambling Act 2015 to make it easier for small-scale lotteries to be used to raise money for charities and other good causes. If approved, the Legislative Reform (Exempt Lotteries) Order 2016 will come into force on 6 April next year.

The proposals include allowing incidental lotteries to take place at both commercial and non-commercial events. Fundraising lotteries could then be offered by, for example, pubs, clubs, shops, concerts, festivals and trade fairs at their events. It would also become possible for private society, work and residents' lotteries to be promoted for purposes other than private gain."



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Election Results Mean New Public Policy Opportunities for Philanthropy - Press - AFP

Election Results Mean New Public Policy Opportunities for Philanthropy - Press - AFP: "On Nov. 4, Justin Trudeau was sworn in as the 23rd Prime Minster of Canada, along with his 30-member Cabinet. His election, and the new MPs leading the government, means many new opportunities for AFP, the fundraising profession and the philanthropic sector.

The previous Conservative government had been in power for almost a decade. With a Liberal Cabinet now in place, fundraisers have a unique opportunity to connect with the new leadership team just as they are starting up their portfolios. There are also many new MP’s and Senators that AFP members can meet with and discuss the importance of fundraising and philanthropy."



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You need a plan for your UBTI -The Nonprofit TImesThe NonProfit Times

You need a plan for your UBTI -The Nonprofit TImesThe NonProfit Times: "Many organizations seek to fundraise by means other than the traditional ones, and such alternative sources can be quite helpful. They can also be quite effective in raising red flags with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state regulators, resulting in close scrutiny of an organization’s finances and severe penalties when lines have been crossed."



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A Veterans Day Call for Cleaning Out the Scamming Veterans Charities | Nonprofit Quarterly

A Veterans Day Call for Cleaning Out the Scamming Veterans Charities | Nonprofit Quarterly: "The stories of crummy veterans charities ripping off charitable donors under the guise of helping veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars continue to pile up. Stories abound of various players purporting to help veterans setting up 501(c)(3) public charities and sometimes 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations ostensibly established to help the men and women returning from this nation’s overseas military engagements, but operating with little or no direct benefit to veterans and often significant misinformation to the public and to government agencies and officials."



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T3010 Quick Prep | Imagine Canada

T3010 Quick Prep | Imagine Canada: "T3010 Quick Prep
The T3010 Quick Prep tool is the only free charity information return software for charities in Canada. It helps charities better understand and complete the Canada Revenue Agency’s T3010 Registered Charity Information Return."



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Will changes in fundraising regulation be fair to smaller charities?

Will changes in fundraising regulation be fair to smaller charities?: "Changes to charity fundraising practices may be positive, says James Appleton, but will the people developing the new regulations give enough attention to their impact on smaller charities?

In the wake of the scandal around charity fundraising, the recommendations of Sir Stephen Etherington’s report have been widely welcomed by both those within the sector and those on the outside."



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PA Budget Standoff: Trauma for Nonprofits and Attempts to Stop the Bleeding | Nonprofit Quarterly

PA Budget Standoff: Trauma for Nonprofits and Attempts to Stop the Bleeding | Nonprofit Quarterly:



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New Head of Key Congressional Committee Seen as Friend to Nonprofits - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

New Head of Key Congressional Committee Seen as Friend to Nonprofits - The Chronicle of Philanthropy:



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Put a sock in it: Let’s focus less on who technically lobbies and more on who lobbies effectively | nfpSynergy

Put a sock in it: Let’s focus less on who technically lobbies and more on who lobbies effectively | nfpSynergy: "Our research with MPs shows that the top organisations impressing MPs are more financially independent than the charity sector average, suggesting that effective lobbying requires voluntary income. Every six months for the last 15 years, as part of nfpSynergy’s Charity Parliamentary Monitor, we have asked a representative sample of 150 MPs to spontaneously name the charities that have impressed them, and to give the reasons why."



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Nonprofits Ask Supreme Court to Hear Landmark First Amendment Case to Protect Donors' Confidentiality - NonProfit PRO

Nonprofits Ask Supreme Court to Hear Landmark First Amendment Case to Protect Donors' Confidentiality - NonProfit PRO: "The U.S. Supreme Court will consider this week whether to hear a potentially landmark First Amendment case on donations to nonprofit groups, marking a flashpoint in a battle over money and free speech increasingly taking place in courts instead of legislatures."



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Los Angeles OKs Paying Full Cost Of Contracted ServicesThe NonProfit Times

Los Angeles OKs Paying Full Cost Of Contracted ServicesThe NonProfit Times: "In a first-in-the-nation move, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors yesterday approved a motion to develop new guidelines regarding reimbursement of administrative costs to nonprofits that are contracted to deliver services on behalf of government."



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L.A. County Board of Supervisors Votes to Adopt the OMB Uniform Guidelines to Pay Nonprofits Full-Cost Reimbursement | Nonprofit Quarterly

L.A. County Board of Supervisors Votes to Adopt the OMB Uniform Guidelines to Pay Nonprofits Full-Cost Reimbursement | Nonprofit Quarterly:



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Northampton Nonprofits Asked to Increase Voluntary Payments

massnonprofit news ::: "November 2, 2015 — Eleven Northampton nonprofits with property holdings valued above $1 million are being asked to make voluntary payments pegged to the value of their property, in lieu of taxes, much as Boston has done, starting a debate about the role of nonprofits in that city.

The payment-in-lieu-of-taxes program, commonly referred to as PILOT payments, proposed by Mayor David J. Narkewicz last month, which expands an existing PILOT program, would be phased in over three years."



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Bob Smucker Dies: A Founding Father Of Nonprofit AdvocacyThe NonProfit Times

Bob Smucker Dies: A Founding Father Of Nonprofit AdvocacyThe NonProfit Times: "Smucker was vice president for government relations at Independent Sector (IS) from 1980 to 1988. “Bob was one of IS’ principal architects and he left a lasting mark on both the organization and the communities we service,” IS leaders said via a statement after his passing. “The board and staff of Independent Sector extend our condolences and gratitude for a wonderful legacy to Bob’s family.”"



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