Tax Court Criticizes IRS Rationale in Case
The U.S. Tax Court has ruled that the I.R.S. was right to revoke the tax exemption of an Ohio charity because a member and other people close to the organization improperly benefited from some of its earnings -- a legal concept known as private inurement. But Judge Herbert L. Chabot said the I.R.S.…
By Jennifer Moore
Contributor
Federal Judge Backs IRS’s Decision on Kemp Group
A U.S. district judge has upheld the Internal Revenue Service’s decision to deny charity status to an organization created to raise money for a private commission studying the tax code. The commission was headed by Jack Kemp, the former Republican Vice-Presidential candidate. Judge Ricardo M.…
By Jennifer Moore
Contributor
Members of Congress Oppose Clinton Estate-Tax Proposals
Fifteen members of Congress have joined together to oppose annuity and estate-tax changes proposed by President Clinton in his 1998 budget plan. Led by Rep. Jon Christensen, a Nebraska Republican, they wrote a letter to Mr. Clinton warning that they were “greatly disturbed” by some of the…
By Jennifer Moore
Contributor
Family-Aid Groups Announce Merger
Two major family-services organizations have announced plans to merge this fall, in an effort to cut costs and expand their reach to all 50 states. Family Service America and the National Association of Homes and Services for Children will come together under a new, still-to-be-determined name.…
Chicago Drops Tiesto Boy Scout Program
As part of a settlement reached earlier this month in federal court, the City of Chicago will not help Boy Scouts of America programs -- unless the charity changes its long-standing policies of excluding homosexuals from participating and of requiring participants to recite a religious oath. The…
New Era Chief, SEC Reach Agreement
The Securities and Exchange Commission, the federal agency that regulates many financial transactions, has settled its lawsuit against the founder of the Foundation for New Era Philanthropy. Under terms of the settlement, the S.E.C. agreed to accept the $1.5-million that John G. Bennett has already…
‘Worth’: Advice to Donors on Making Effective Gifts
Andrew tobias, a columnist for Worth magazine, urges people who are frustrated by high overhead costs at charities to consider setting up their own “mini-charities” so they can control the costs. In the magazine’s March issue, Mr. Tobias, author of the book My Vast Fortune, says he empathizes with…
‘Salon’: Bill Gates and Liberal Causes
Bill gates is a “closet liberal,” says Salon magazine, which drew that conclusion after analyzing charitable and political contributions by the Microsoft founder. In a January 29 article, Andrew Leonard, a contributing writer to the on-line magazine, noted that Mr. Gates supported numerous…
‘Times Book Review’: Carnegie’s Report on Conflict
The release of the Carnegie Corporation’s report, “Preventing Deadly Conflict,” may “set a record for cost,” writes Judith Miller in The New York Times Book Review (February 15). The report, which cost $9.5-million to produce, was prepared by a committee chaired by David Hamburg, president emeritus…
Charity Uses Technology to Shop for Volunteers
Volunteer vancouver is hoping that people who want to donate their time will no longer show up at the group’s front door. The Canadian charity has installed a touch-activated computer kiosk in the Bentall Centre, a popular downtown mall. Shoppers there can find out about the volunteer needs of more…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
Non-Profit Group Wins Internet Trademark Dispute
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America has persuaded a federal court to block an antiabortion activist from using the charity’s name in the address of his World-Wide Web site. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York declined to overturn a March 1997 ruling that…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
Charities turn slain deer -- and sometimes road kill -- into food for the needy, but critics say programs are a publicity ploy Big Island, Va. Sharon L. Cash, director of the Lynchburg Area Food Bank in Virginia, recalls the day her daughter called her at work, distraught from what she had…
By Paul Demko
Contributor
Following are summaries of recent reports by the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Philanthropic Advisory Service and the National Charities Information Bureau. Those two private organizations report on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and…
American Farmland Trust (Washington): Appointed Jerry Cosgrove, New York field director, to be Northeast field director, based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. American Near East Refugee Aid (Washington): Appointed Philip Davies, former assistant regional director for the Middle East and field-officer…
Congress, IRS Called ‘Soft’ on Charity Tax
Congress needs to strengthen federal law on unrelated-business income taxes, and the government needs to do better at making sure charities pay such taxes, says former U.S. Rep. J.J. Pickle, a Texas Democrat, in his new autobiography, Jake, which he wrote with his daughter, Peggy Pickle. “Part of…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
IRS Adjusts Rules on Deductions
The I.R.S. has announced several changes for the 1998 tax year that adjust tax laws to reflect inflation. One change affects the way donors calculate their deductions. Federal law allows donors to take income-tax deductions only for the portion of their contributions that are outright gifts. If…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor