Charitable Deductions Rose Sharply, IRS Says
New statistics released by the Internal Revenue Service show that deductions claimed for charitable contributions rose to $165.5-billion in 2004, compared with $145.7-billion in 2003, an increase of 13.6 percent. The increase is the first double-digit percentage growth in charitable donations since…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
IRS Releases Rules on Retirement-Account Gifts
The Internal Revenue Service has published guidelines explaining a new law that offers tax benefits to donors who make gifts to charity directly from their individual retirement accounts. Under the Pension Protection Act, which Congress passed in August, donors older than 70 may transfer up to…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Embezzlement Widespread at Dioceses, Study Finds
Employees or volunteers have embezzled from many Catholic dioceses in recent years, a new study of nearly 80 Catholic dioceses has found. The study, conducted by Villanova University in Philadelphia and paid for by the Louisville Institute, is based on data provided by 78 chief financial officers,…
By PETER PANEPENTO
Contributor
‘Worth’: Keeping Charities Financially Stable
PRESS CLIPPINGS Many philanthropists worry “that their favorite charities are overly dependent on one source of funding — them,” says Worth magazine (February). That realization has prompted many donors to take steps to strengthen the organizations. Among the approaches: Eddie Phillips, who helped…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
‘Foreign Affairs’: Foundations and Global Health
PRESS CLIPPINGS Giving to global health has grown to unprecedented levels in the last few years, but if governments and private donors do not do more to help build medical facilities and pay the salaries of doctors and nurses in poor countries the assistance could exacerbate the problems of sick…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
College Trustee Group Issues New Guidelines
A sweeping set of guidelines aimed at improving the accountability of college and university governing boards was approved last week by a Washington group that represents higher-education trustees. The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges says the guidelines are the result…
By PETER PANEPENTO
Contributor
Joining Forces to Fight Poverty
International aid group forges partnership with a New York charity in a bid to engage more youth Mercy Corps, an international aid and development organization in Portland, Ore., has joined forces with NetAid, a New York charity that engages young people as activists to raise awareness about global…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Nonprofit Coalition’s Proposal Aims to Curb Charity Abuses
Nonprofit organizations are taking new steps to stomp out abuses among their peers. Independent Sector, a Washington coalition of about 550 foundations and charities, wants nonprofit organizations to comment by February 2 on a draft proposal, put together by 34 nonprofit leaders, to help charities…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Charities express concern and guarded optimism as Democratic majority pledges fiscal disciplineWith both houses of Congress now under Democratic control for the first time since 1994, many charities are hoping to persuade ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: Charities Continue to Face Scrutiny From the Senate…
By SUZANNE PERRY
Contributor
Hospital Shares Publicity and Profits With Newspaper’s Special Edition
Harnessing the power of the press for charity, the Star Tribune, in Minneapolis and St. Paul, publishes a special edition that ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: Local Groups Reap Benefits From Donated Billboard SpaceARTICLE: Charity’s Clever Promotions Attract Headlines and Contributions raises hundreds of…
By Sue Hoye
Contributor