Bits: New Web Sites for Points of Light Foundation and Heifer Project
* The Points of Light Foundation has started a new Web site and on-line discussion group for managers of volunteers who work for government agencies. The Web site lists forthcoming conferences related to government volunteer programs, as well as papers by non-profit managers, among other things.…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
On-Line Calendar Helps Keep Protesters Informed
A new Web site allows “progressive” activists to plan their protest schedules on line. Protest.Net provides information on demonstrations around the world, with more than 100 events listed so far. The section for the United States is divided up into regions. By clicking on the Southwest, for…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
Fund Offers Grants for Humanities Projects
The National Endowment for the Humanities is now offering grants to support high-tech projects such as CD-ROM’s, Web sites, or interactive video exhibits aimed at expanding audiences for the humanities. Libraries, museums, public television and radio stations, and other non-profit groups focused on…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
Free Internet Course on Managing Charities
Charity officials and others can now participate in a free, 12-course non-profit management program without ever leaving their desks. The Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits, in St. Paul, is offering the program on its Web site. Topics of study include fund raising and grant-proposal…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
Food Bank Touts Benefits of Technology
The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida has posted a report on line detailing its efforts to increase its efficiency through technology. Since early last year, the Fort Myers charity has received about $40,000 worth of computers, printers, and software, as well as technical assistance, from…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
The following awards have been presented for work in philanthropy, fund raising, volunteerism, and non-profit management: Arts.The McKnight Foundation (Minneapolis) has presented its inaugural McKnight Distinguished Artist Award to Dominick Argento, composer laureate of the Minnesota Orchestra…
Residential-Care Company Captures Growing Share of Field Ruled by Charities
The mission statement could easily belong to a charity: “Res-Care exists to insure that all human beings have the chance to realize their full potential, no matter what the obstacle, no matter what the challenge,” it reads. “We care. We serve. With compassion, with skill, with effectiveness, with…
By Jennifer Moore
Contributor
Excerpts From Proposed I.R.S. Rules on Excess Compensation at Charities
Following are excerpts from the Internal Revenue Service’s explanation of its proposal to carry out a 1996 federal law that allows the agency to impose penalties on charity officials, trustees, and others who receive overly lucrative financial benefits through their association with charitable…
IRS unveils proposed rules to crack down on high pay The Internal Revenue Service has released proposed regulations to explain how it will enforce a law designed to punish top executives and board members who receive overly generous financial benefits through their involvement with non-profit…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
A Corporate Challenge for Charities
Businesses expand their reach into non-profit service areas Competition from for-profit businesses is leading to major challenges for the non-profit world, as more and more companies offer services previously provided primarily by charities and government agencies. Businesses, often with the…
By Jennifer Moore
Contributor
, AARP Andrus Foundation (Washington): Appointed David M. Hirsch director of planned giving and major gifts at the Inova Health System/Alexandria Hospital Foundation (Va.), to be director of development. The Alpha Center (Washington): Appointed Kevin B. (Kip) Piper, vice-president for health-care…
Pennsylvania Court Backs Charity in Tax Dispute
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has upheld a lower court’s decision that Longwood Gardens, located outside Philadelphia, deserved to be exempt from property taxes. The 1,050-acre park, which was opened to the public by Pierre Samuel du Pont in the 1920s, qualifies as an operating foundation under…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
Kansas Group Fights IRS Revocation in Court
An organization that runs more than two dozen rural hospitals in Kansas and Nebraska has asked a federal court to reverse the I.R.S.'s decision to revoke its tax exemption. Great Plains Health Alliance of Phillipsburg, Kan., operates small hospitals, most of which are owned by local governments,…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
IRS Restructuring Law Affects Charities, Donors
President Clinton last week signed into law an overhaul of the Internal Revenue Service that contains several provisions of interest to charities. Among them: Burden of proof. The I.R.S. will now shoulder the burden of proof in court cases with charities. Under previous law, the revenue service was…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
The following awards have been presented for work in philanthropy, fund raising, volunteerism, and non-profit management: Community services. The Amoco Foundation (Chicago) has presented its 1998 Amoco Leader Awards, each of which carries a $50,000 prize, in five categories: -- Health and…
On-Line Effort Matches Volunteers Worldwide
The Ecovolunteer Web site enables potential volunteers to find environmental projects around the world. The group, based in Hengelo, the Netherlands, lists opportunities to volunteer for projects in at least 17 countries. Visitors can search the data base by location, type of work, or type of…
By Paul Demko
Contributor