House Bill Would Remove Private Foundation Safeguards
A bill passed by the House to exempt donations to groups that engage in political and lobbying activities from the federal gift tax would also allow wealthy people to avoid safeguards placed on private foundations, a tax lawyer writes in The Hill.
Criticized in the U.S., Charity Watchdogs Are Admired Overseas
Nonprofit leaders in places like Czech Republic, Japan, and Taiwan are working on evaluation systems and building a culture of transparency and trust.
By Megan O’Neil
Contributor
Activists: Walmart Used Charity to Buy Support for Stores
A coalition of community and labor groups filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service on Monday accusing the Walmart Foundation of using donations to win backing for its corporate parent’s entry into major urban markets, The Washington Post and The New York Times report.
Netherlands Tops List of Charity-Friendly Countries, Study Says
The United States is second and Saudi Arabia is last in the rankings, which are based on evaluations of polices like taxation and regulation.
By Megan O’Neil
Contributor
New Mich. Law Allows Nonprofits a Faith Objection to Gay Couples Adopting
The American Civil Liberties Union quickly vowed a court challenge to the measure signed Thursday by Gov. Rick Snyder authorizing nonprofit adoption agencies that contract with the state to refuse service to same-sex couples on religious grounds, Reuters and MLive write.
Pakistan Drops Order to Close Save the Children Office
The government has backtracked on a decision to shut down global aid charity Save the Children’s operations in the country, Reuters and the BBC report.
Union Protests Closure of Consumer Reports Publications
News that ShopSmart magazine and the Money Adviser newsletter would cease printing due to a hike in mailing costs has angered some unionized workers and managers who will be laid off as a result, The New York Post reports.
More Okla. Nonprofits With Storm Damage Eligible for Disaster-Relief Loans
Groups in 25 Oklahoma counties affected by severe storms in May are eligible to borrow up to $2 million from the Small Business Administration, the Associated Press reports.
Pakistan Orders Save the Children to Vacate Country
Expatriate employees of Save the Children have been given 15 days to leave, The International Business Times reports. The organization is accused of working against the country’s interests.
Israeli Leaders Mull New Rules for Foreign-Funded Nonprofits
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government is proposing legislation aimed at clamping down on nonprofit groups that take foreign donations and criticize the country’s policies and actions, particularly with regard to the Palestinian cause, reports Reuters.
Detroit Looks to Draw More Foundations Into City’s Revival
The Detroit News profiles Ryan Friedrichs, the city’s newly installed chief development officer, and his work to keep philanthropic aid coming in the wake of the foundation-driven “grand bargain” that helped lift Detroit out of insolvency.
British Charity Regulator Sees Spike in Solicitation Complaints
The agency that sets fundraising guidelines for British charities has seen complaints from the public skyrocket amid an outcry over solicitation tactics following the death last month of a 92-year-old woman who was heavily targeted for appeals, reports the Press Association.
Minn. Sues Epilepsy Charity Over Ties to Thrift-Store Chain
Two and a half weeks after suing thrift-store operator Savers over its charity fundraising practices, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson took legal action Monday against one of the firm’s nonprofit partners, the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, the Star Tribune reports.
2016 Candidates Get Boost From Allied Nonprofits
Several 501(c)(4) groups are gearing up to support particular 2016 presidential aspirants, a new step in the evolution of nonprofit politicking, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Restricted Gifts Can Help Ward Off Charity Fraud, Study Finds
Keeping accounting in-house and doing regular audits also help keep nonprofits clean, according to a new report.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Red Cross Faces Another Call for Congressional Inquiry
A Democratic congressman from Minnesota says the “allegations of waste and mismanagement in Haiti are extremely disturbing” and that the organization should explain itself.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor