Following are summaries of recent reports by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. This private group reports on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The alliance does not approve or disapprove of charities, and urges potential donors…
The IRS has proposed revising the tax rates assessed on money a donor receives from a charitable remainder trust. Through such trusts, a donor contributes assets and then receives regular payouts from a charity. The payouts are taxed based on a donor’s income and the type of asset put into the…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Status and recent results of drives for endowments, capital improvements, and other needs Started or announced Closing date Goal Amount raised Purpose Bentley College (Mass.) Sept. 2001 June 2005 $100,000,000 $77,050,000 For academic programs, student scholarships, and technology Christ School…
Q. I come from a corporate background where I hired numerous employees. I’m now looking at moving into the nonprofit world and am appalled by how poorly charities handle the hiring process. I had interviews with two different nonprofit groups that each brought in about 25 candidates for the first…
By Rebecca Gardyn
Contributor
Advice for Forming an Arts-Education Group
Ten Steps Toward Starting a Community School of the Arts, by LaMoine MacLaughlin, offers advice on establishing nonprofit arts-education organizations. Mr. MacLaughlin, co-founder and executive director of the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts and the Northern Lakes School of the Arts, both in…
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor
How Foundations Share Information About Their Giving With the Public
Foundation Reporting: Update on Public Reporting Trends of Private and Community Foundationsdiscusses grant makers’ use of annual reports, print publications, and Web sites to share information with the public. According to the Foundation Center, the number of foundations that publish information…
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor
Advice on Minimizing Risks in Volunteer Programs
Better Safe: Risk Management in Volunteer Programs & Community Service, by Linda L. Graff, helps nonprofit managers identify and control their liability should volunteers be involved in accidents or other trouble while doing charity work. Ms. Graff, president of a nonprofit-management consulting…
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor
Guidelines for Writing Grant Proposals
Proposal Planning and Writing, Third Edition
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor
Overview of Tax Law for Private Foundations
Private Foundations: Tax Law and Compliance, Second Edition
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor