Court Backs Decision to Revoke Charity’s Status
The U.S. Tax Court has ruled that the Internal Revenue Service properly pulled the tax-exemption of a Florida charity. The reason: The Anclote Psychiatric Center sold its hospital in 1983 for less than the facility’s fair market value to a company owned by the charity’s board members. The deal, the…
‘The American Prospect’: Conservative Philanthropy
Lobbying groups and think tanks that get money from conservative foundations have eclipsed their liberal counterparts in strategy and public influence, largely because conservative foundations spend their money more effectively than do liberal ones, according to an article in The American Prospect…
A Crossroads for Canadian Charities
As demand for services rises, so does debate on regulations and ethics Canada’s non-profit world is debating how best to govern and police itself to meet the challenges of the next century. In meetings across the country, Canadians are offering their opinions on questions ranging from what…
Food Bank’s Ties to Atlanta Association
To the Editor: Your article “Raising Money by Association” (July 16) extolled the benefits of non-profit partnerships with associations. The Atlanta Community Food Bank has enjoyed an incredible relationship with the Atlanta Apartment Association for the past 11 years. In 1987, the staff and…
Immigrant Support Is a Key to the Future
To the Editor: Your article on Paul Soros’s “Fellowships for New Americans” program (“Another Soros Plans to Give It All Away,” June 18) was heartening to non-profits dealing with immigrant issues. With a few notable exceptions, the philanthropic community has not rallied to support immigrants to…
Heart Group’s Giving: Only Half the Story
To the Editor: We would like to clarify the total amount of funding provided by the American Heart Association to research institutions in fiscal year 1997 (“Top 10 Public Charities Gave $677-Million,” June 18). The figure attributed to the American Heart Association in the article (and in the…
Stiffer Rules Won’t Change Funds’ Ways
To the Editor: Regarding your Tax Watch item “Congress May Stiffen Foundation-Disclosure Rules” (May 21): Stiffen all you want, Congress, but it won’t work. Foundations do not now make their Forms 990-PF available for inspection in spite of the “public notices” their lawyers and C.P.A.'s publish…
Corporate Giving Can Improve Bottom Line
To the Editor: In its July 16 issue, The Chronicle reported on its survey in which corporate executives were asked to rate their philanthropy’s relevance to their business’s financial success (“Companies Divided Over Philanthropy’s Impact on Profits”). The responses varied: Some executives saw…
The Whole Truth: All Too Uncommon
To the Editor: Janne G. Gallagher and Bruce R. Sievers write (“Charities and the Shibboleth of Accountability,” Opinion, July 16) that “despite a few well-publicized cases to the contrary, there is little evidence of significant wrongdoing or irresponsible behavior by non-profit organizations. Nor…
IRS Must Slam the Door on High Salaries
In recent years, the non-profit world has been shaken by a series of scandals and news-media exposes that have undermined the public’s trust in the integrity of charitable organizations. One of the major reasons for that shaken trust has been the high salaries and benefits received by some…