April 2017

April 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017

Lead Stories

State May Make Grant For Church School Playground

Supreme Court says state may not disqualify applicants for benefits solely because of their religious character

Trump Signs Executive Order On Religious Political Activity

House Oversight Committee holds hearing on proposal to eliminate Johnson amendment

Fired Volunteer Loses Defamation Claim, But May Seek Damages for Interference with Job

Dallas Symphony sent volunteer’s 3 a.m. email requesting reinstatement and demanding a written apology to his bank employer

DOJ Stops Funding for Nonprofits In Regulatory Settlements

Sessions reverses former policy of providing money to nonprofits working to remediate problems at core of dispute

Supreme Court Says “Church Plans” May Be Established by Church Affiliates

Decision ends years of confusion after lower courts had ruled that plans had to be established by churches

Lessons from Litigation

Donor can’t recover gift after CEO was fired

Applicant loses suit for denial of grant

Employment Law

Fired COO may pursue whistleblower, RICO claims

Violation of conflict policy beats retaliation charge

Tax Matters

IRS to revise 1023-EZ form

Retained right to direct title invalidates gift

May Webinar

Getting Beyond a
Semi-Functional Board
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
1:30-3:00 PM ET

Do you have a rockstar board?

Or does it limp along listlessly performing the minimum necessary to keep the organization going? Pushed by the CEO because no one on the board wants to be responsible for leadership.

Most boards are somewhere in between. Functional perhaps, but not fully functional. More like what you would call semi-functional.

This webinar will help you get beyond a semi-functional board. By acting intentionally at every step of the governance process, you can improve your organization’s capacity, resilience and effectiveness.

Learn more and register

Nonprofit bylaw review

Don Kramer will review and comment on your own current or proposed bylaws

Do your Bylaws reflect the way you actually operate? Do they protect the interests of those who should be protected? Do they spell out clearly how to deal with governance issues? Or do they create uncertainty for those who have to implement them?

Most nonprofits don't spend a lot of time looking at their Bylaws until there is a question or a dispute. That's when you need bylaws that are clear and unambiguous, so your questions on how to proceed are already answered. That's when bad bylaws can lead to unnecessary controversies or even costly litigation. Nonprofit Issues editor Don Kramer will review your current or proposed Bylaws to see if they work for you.

Learn more

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SAY THAT AGAIN?

April 21, 2025

Those old enough to remember what it meant to say a story appeared “above the fold” on the front page of a newspaper may appreciate this story. People used to want to place stories above the fold because readers would at least glance at the story in the top half of the page that was visible when they picked up the paper before they looked at stuff that was below the fold and not immediately visible.

The printed version of the Philadelphia Inquirer had a four column picture and article about Pope Francis on the day after Easter that was written and printed before the Pope had died but seen by morning readers after his death had been widely reported. The fold divided the two-line headline so only the top line was visible. The top line said: “Pope meets Vance, then”

We can only imagine what readers were thinking before they flipped the page to read: “decries ‘the logic of fear’”

See our "Say That Again" collection

Special Report Available

Increasing Gender Diversity on the Boards of Nonprofit Eds and Meds: Why and How to Do It

This report provides a rare inside view on barriers women face to selection and success that are particular to nonprofit organizations and makes specific recommendations on how to improve the gender ratio.
Download the full report free

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April 2017