Del. Lawmakers Cut Nonprofit Funds to Balance Budget
The state General Assembly’s budget panel finished work Wednesday on a $3.9-billion spending plan that achieves balance in part by slicing grant money for nonprofit and community groups by 5 percent, reports the Associated Press.
N.M. Charity Under Investigation Claims Abuse by Regulator
United South Broadway Corp., a foreclosure-prevention nonprofit whose spending New Mexico wants to audit, filed a lawsuit alleging that an assistant state attorney general bullied its staff and harassed a female employee, the Santa Fe New Mexican writes.
$300 Million Movie Museum Gets Green Light from L.A. Council
The City Council voted 13-0 Wednesday to give final approval to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ plan to build a downtown museum devoted to the history of film, clearing the way for construction to start this summer, reports the Los Angeles Times.
L.A. Advances Minimum-Wage Exemption for Job-Training Groups
A Los Angeles City Council committee approved a proposal Tuesday to temporarily shield nonprofits that help hard-to-employ residents get into the work force from an upcoming minimum-wage increase, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Sweet Briar’s Remarkable Reopening Has Lessons for All Nonprofits
Boards can expect more scrutiny from regulators over tough calls as well as emboldened advocacy by charity supporters.
By michael peregrine
Contributor
Nev. Tax on Tickets for Big Events Won’t Spare Nonprofits
Nevada lawmakers have approved a 9-percent tax on admissions to major live entertainment events in the state, including those like the freewheeling Burning Man festival that are run by nonprofit groups, reports the Associated Press.
N.Y. Police Reviewing Charity That Hired Chief’s Friends
The New York Police Department’s inspector general has opened a “preliminary review” of a charity that has spent $2 million on consulting deals with associates of Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, according to the New York Post.
Deal to Keep Private Va. College Open at Least 1 More Year
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced a settlement Saturday that, pending court approval, will avert the planned closure of Sweet Briar College for at least another academic year, The Chronicle of Higher Education and The New York Times report.
India Eyes Tighter Oversight of Nonprofits’ Foreign Funding
New rules proposed by New Delhi would require banks to quickly notify the government of international money transfers to domestic nonprofits and would restrict how groups use the money, The Wall Street Journal writes.
USPS Workers Arrested for Scamming Operation Santa Program
Three U.S. Postal Service workers in New York were accused of stealing gifts intended to reach underprivileged children, The New York Times and Associated Press report.
Russian Donor Fined for Refusing to Register as Foreign Agent
Dmitry Zinn, a Russian citizen, was told his Dynasty Foundation would have to register as a foreign agent because it receives money from his foreign bank accounts, the Associated Press reports.
Tax Breaks for Nonprofit Hospitals Doubled in a Decade
In 2011, nonprofit hospitals received $24.6 billion in tax breaks, compared to $12.6 billion in 2002, The Washington Post reports.
N.C. Charities Say State Senate Budget Plan Would Reduce Nonprofit Services
The plan would reduce from $45 million to $1 million the amount nonprofits could claim in tax exemptions by 2020 and would cap the charitable-gift deduction, Raleigh’s WRAL radio station and The Stanley News & Press report.
Senate Subcommittee Votes to Double Nonprofit Security Funds
The money available for security grants for the 2016 fiscal year would increase from $13 million to $25 million, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports.
Backers and Critics of Donor-Advised Funds Debate Their Merits
Despite their differences, participates in an Urban Institute conference agreed the funds are more efficient than small private foundations.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
IRS Advisory Panel Calls for Mandatory Electronic Filing of Form 990s
The group also recommended a review of the informational tax form to see if it needs revisions.