December 1-31, 2010

December 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

Lead Stories

Directors, Officers Not Personally Liable To Creditors for Closing Nonprofit Home

Court finds no evidence of bad faith or fraud in actions leading up to bankruptcy filing

Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity Excluded from Bankrupt’s Estate

Court says arrangement qualifies as spendthrift trust under Uniform Trust Code

Courts Say Will Does Not Direct Specific Use of Gift to University

Money left for separate women’s “college” at Tulane may be used for women’s “institute” after reorganization

Risk and Reward

Reference Checking: A Lost Art

The Finance Committee of our 501(c)(3) is dragging its feet on a proposal to offer our fundraiser on a shopping cart web site (cost of which is being donated to the group) which we would tie in with our regular web site. The site would also allow members to pay dues, as well as offer the public the option to make donations with their credit or debit cards. They feel it would jeopardize our 501(c)(3) standing. Is that true?

Lessons from Litigation

Agency may select interpreter

Liaison role not grounds for disqualification

Church member should be excluded from jury

Tax Matters

No deduction for house contribution

Incidental rentals do not defeat exemption

Employment Law

"White boy” social worker loses bias claims

Scientist doesn’t get injunction to stop office move

April Webinar

IRS Form 990: Public Relations Opportunity or Trap for the Unwary?

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
1:30-3:00 PM ET

Because Form 990 tax information returns are instantly available to anyone anywhere at any time on the Internet, they can be a nonprofit organization's most important public relations document.

They can also be traps for the unwary that lead to confusion, serious adverse publicity, media inquiries, and governmental sanctions.

This session will explore the full (long form) Form 990 from the perspectives of the organization, a potential donor or employee, and a regulator. It will discuss the most common errors and best practices for using the Form as a tool to further the organization's mission.

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?

October 29, 2024

Marketers love to make their prospects feel special. But they sometimes don’t seem to want you to think about what they say to do it.

I received two items recently that made me wonder what they were thinking.

I got a package of discount coupons in the mail that touted a “specially curated” set of offers. I thought they might have my personal interests at heart until I saw it was addressed to “Resident.”

I also got a text message saying that “Kellyanne Conway wants YOU and only YOU to know what the latest polling shows” about the Presidential election. I could click the link to read the “exclusive” memo.

And I will be the only one to know? Really? Do they really think the recipients are that stupid?

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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