$50-Million Pledged to Aid Blacks
A black Wall Street money manager announced last week that he plans to give $50-million in charitable donations to mark the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court decision that desegregated American public schools. The donor, Alphonse Fletcher Jr., said that…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Senate Seeks Information on Donated Instruments
As the Senate Finance Committee continues its investigation into donations of artworks, real estate, and other noncash gifts to charities, it has asked the Smithsonian Institution to account for the $50-million valuation placed on a gift six years ago of four Stradivarius musical instruments to the…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
IRS Warns Charities Against Electioneering
As the presidential election approaches, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding charities to be careful how they talk to voters if they want to retain their tax-exempt status. Some churches, schools, and other types of charities often try to help voters understand the issues and the candidates…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Some charities with low fund-raising expenses have been confused by letters they’ve received recently from the IRS noting that fact, says Harvey J. Berger, an adviser to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. “Exempt organizations often receive and properly report contributions,…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Tax-Exempt Organizations Registered With the IRS
More than 950,000 charities and private foundations were registered with the Internal Revenue Service as of ALSO SEE:Tax-Exempt Organizations Registered With the IRS September 30, 2003, according to figures just released by the tax agency. That is an increase of 65 percent from a decade ago, when…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Luring Fund Raisers Who Lure Big Gifts
As more charities seek ways to attract wealthy donors, the rush is on to hire those who can get the job doneThe save-the-Redwoods League has been helping create majestic redwood parks since 1918. As research ALSO SEE:Charities’ Fast-Track JobsCultivating the Business Side of CharitySending a Clear…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Skilled fund raisers, consultants, and those with business and marketing savvy are most in demand The Harlem Children’s Zone, in New York, provides social services to thousands of youngsters annually, ALSO SEE:Luring Fund Raisers Who Lure Big GiftsCultivating the Business Side of CharitySending a…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Hospital Loses State Tax Exemption
A ruling last month to remove the tax-exempt status of a nonprofit hospital could lead to similar challenges at other hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association. An Illinois state tax panel last month stripped a Catholic hospital of its tax-exempt status. The Champaign County Board…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Electronic Filing Begins for Charities
The Internal Revenue Service is ready to offer charities the option of filing their federal informational returns over the Internet. Any organization that files a Form 990 or 990-EZ may participate in the program, according to the revenue service. Foundations, which must file a 990-PF, do not yet…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
‘Is It Real?’: A Museum’s Challenge
When the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis starting planning its Dinosphere exhibit, set to ALSO SEE:Coming of Age open in June, officials decided that nothing but the real thing would do when it came to dinosaur skeletons. In contrast to the practice at many museums of using reproductions of…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor