What, Exactly, is a “Suggested Donation”?
When charity board members or staff sit around a conference table planning their next fundraising special event, the discussion inevitably turns to how much to
Charities in the Courtroom, Part 5
The two lawsuits highlighted this month provide more examples of the wide range of issues that take charities into the courtroom. The first is a
What’s the Latest with the Overtime Rules?
Back in May 2016, millions of Americans were handed a very large raise in pay, to be effective on December 1, 2016. It was all
Social Media Policy: Now, More Important Than Ever
Part of the New Year’s recommended checkup for each nonprofit is a review of existing governance policies and a plan to adopt ones that are
Yes, Nonprofits Sometimes Do File Bankruptcy
Although it’s a step rarely discussed in the philanthropic community, filing for federal bankruptcy relief is not uncommon and is a way to resolve the
Pittsburgh Area Nonprofits Reportedly Reach PILOT Deal
In recent years, state and local governments have faced steep shortfalls in revenue to fund their necessary services. “Officials,” we explained in “Local Governments Eager
Opponents of Politics-Ban Repeal Speak Out
In September 2016, after several months of rhetoric by candidate Trump that he planned to “totally destroy” the Johnson Amendment, followed by adoption of a
Why Change the Politics Ban: The Proponents’ View
The hoped-for window to repeal the Johnson Amendment, the politics ban in section 501(c)(3) has just opened. GOP leadership along with some religious organizations and
Will The 501(c)(3) Politics Ban Be Repealed?
Seems like lots of folks these days are talking about the Johnson Amendment. What is it, and why does everyone suddenly have an opinion? Gut
Charity Fraud: Secret Billing Schemes
Charities are “tempting targets” for fraudsters. “[F]raud cannot occur unless an opportunity is present.” While embezzlement is a flashier crime, improper billing practices seem to
Renewed Efforts to Rein In College Endowments
Over the past year or so, there’s been significant attention and discussion about the multi-billion-dollar endowments enjoyed by some of the nation’s most prominent colleges
Smooth Transition for California’s New Attorney General
Elections have consequences. Because California’s then-Attorney General Kamala Harris was elected on November 8, 2016, to become the Golden State’s new junior Senator, a vacancy