July 16 - September 30, 2013 | Nonprofit Issues

July 16, 2013 - September 30, 2013

Lead Stories

Booster Club Loses Exemption Because of Fundraising Program

City Loses Right To Appoint Hospital Board

Hospital amended bylaws to eliminate City Council’s right to name directors

Directors Accused of Personal Benefit May Not Be ‘Independent’ to Decide on Suit

Court questions role of accused directors in deciding whether derivative action should proceed

Ready Reference Page No. 2

IRS Requires Substantiation of Contributions

Donors must obtain acknowledgment from charity for gifts worth $250 or more, must file Form 8283 for gifts of property over $500, with appraisal over $5,000

Our 501(c)(3) booster club board decided to institute a new volunteer policy this year. All parents automatically become members of the club if their child is in the sport (gymnastics). There are required volunteer hours and failure to meet the hours equals a fine of $25/half hour. Parents can buy out of the volunteer hours by paying $500 up front. Does this policy violate the club's 501(c)(3) status? Does the penalty money received by the club constitute taxable income for the club?

Lessons from Litigation

Court refuses to pierce corporate veil of hospital and foundation

Officer/director entitled to indemnification from foundation

Tax Matters

Court reduces deduction for clothes and housewares

Court finds conservation easement has no value

Employment Law

Nonprofit food distributor may be subject to FLSA

No worker’s comp for employee injured at charity Bowl-A-Thon

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

YOUR ONE-STOP PLACE FOR NONPROFIT LAW YOU NEED TO KNOW

July 16 - September 30, 2013