UPS Foundation helps charities get the most from their volunteersLarry Robertson had often thought about becoming a mentor to a young boy. But he always hesitated, worrying that he and the youngster might not “click,” and wondering how they would spend their time together or whether he would even…
By DOMENICA MARCHETTI
Contributor
American Heart AssociationFlorida/Puerto Rico Affiliate (St. Petersburg, Fla.): Appointed Jane Riley Leach, executive director of development and law relations for the School of Law at Regent U. (Virginia Beach), to be vice president of major gifts. American Red Cross (Washington): Appointed Joanne…
New Figures Released on Charity Deductions
By GRANT WILLIAMSUsing statistics from the Internal Revenue Service, RIA -- a tax-information publisher -- has calculated the average deductions for charitable contributions taken by taxpayers in 1998 in six tax brackets: Income Average contribution 1998 0-$14,999 $1,173 $15,000-29,999 $1,565…
By Grant Williams
Contributor
Following are summaries of recent reports by the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Philanthropic Advisory Service. The service reports on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The service cautions that it does not approve or…
American Medical Association Foundation (Chicago): Appointed Kathleen MacArthur, vice president of corporate partnerships at the American College of Healthcare Executives (Chicago), to be executive director. American Red Cross (Washington): Appointed Holly Hall, a senior editor at The Chronicle of…
Outlook For Philanthropy: Issues in the 107th Congress
ALSO SEE: Philanthropy, Congress, and the New Administration: the Key Issues Several Bush Nominees Have Nonprofit Experience Recommendations for President Bush: Two Views From Nonprofit Leaders
Volunteer Vacations and Charitable Deductions
As more and more people pursue volunteer activities on vacation, many have questions about whether ALSO SEE:The Pause That RefreshesNew Student Wave: Service Over Sunbathing‘Volunteer Vacations': Sources of Information they can deduct the expenses incurred during such trips. The basic rule,…
By Meg Sommerfeld
Contributor
Arizona Senator Kyl Issues Warning to Charities
By THOMAS J. BILLITTERIOfficials of non-profit organizations who were thinking of weighing in on congressional efforts to repeal the estate tax might want to consider the comments of Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican who has helped to lead the effort to eliminate the levy. In arguing that heirs…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
Tax Court Rules Against Steel Inspection Group
By JENNIFER MOOREThe U.S. Tax Court has ruled that a non-profit organization set up to audit structural steel fabricators to determine whether they meet industry standards has failed to qualify as a charitable group under federal law. The organization, Quality Auditing Company, based in Bristol,…
By Jennifer Moore
Contributor
Christian Coalition Wins Disputed Court Victory
By GRANT WILLIAMSReversing its earlier position, the I.R.S has conceded in federal court that the Christian Coalition was qualified as a tax-exempt advocacy organization -- for one year, in 1990 -- and is refunding the group’s taxes for that period. The move settled, at least for now, legal action…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
‘Fortune’: Spurning Executive Volunteers
By THOMAS J. BILLITTERIRetired business executives who seek to become charity volunteers could be in for a rude awakening, according to Fortune magazine (August 14). The magazine details the ill-fated efforts of several former executives to lend their business acumen to charitable groups. Don…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
‘The Hollywood Reporter’: Studios Stint on Support
By DOMENICA MARCHETTINon-profit leaders in Los Angeles say the entertainment industry “has not come close to doing its fair share” of supporting local charities, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In a special section of its July 25-31 issue, the magazine says that the city’s non-profit…
By Domenica Marchetti
Contributor
A Guide to Help Shape Board Policy
The Policy Sampler: A Resource for Nonprofit Boards, by Kathleen Fletcher, provides dozens of sample policies and job descriptions to help board members effectively steer the work of their non-profit organizations and avoid ethical pitfalls. Ms. Fletcher, a management consultant in San Francisco,…
By C. Quinn Hanchette
Contributor
From Many Viewpoints, Religion Program Succeeded
The E Pluribus Unum Project: Exploring Religion, Social Justice, and the Common Good in an Interfaith Context, edited by Dan Napolitano, is an overview of a three-year program for teenagers administered by the Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, and financed by the Ford…
By C. Quinn Hanchette
Contributor
Family-Planning Campaign Makes Use of Internet
By NICOLE WALLACEThe Internet plays a central role in a new campaign to raise awareness about international family planning. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, in Los Altos, Calif., is working with several non-profit organizations -- including CARE, the National Audubon Society, and…
World Leaders Seek to Bridge Digital Divide
By NICOLE WALLACEGovernments, grant makers, corporations, and non-profit organizations are turning their attention from the domestic to the global digital divide. The gap between technology use in North America and Western Europe and in the rest of the world was on the agenda at last month’s G-8…