September 16 -October 15, 2012

September 16, 2012 - October 15, 2012

Lead Stories

Members of Unincorporated Association May Be Liable for Association’s Debt

Vermont Court sets criteria for imposition of personal liability when club can’t meet obligations

‘Chief Apostle’ Personally Liable For Unpaid Withholding Taxes

Court rejects claim that finding based on bylaws interferes with church’s First Amendment rights

Broker/Director’s Insurance Fails to Cover Malpractice Claim

Policy excludes coverage for transactions where broker has financial interest, or is director of a party

Ready Reference

Lobbying Rules Create Opportunity for Charities

There are many ways to advocate for public policy goals without going beyond the limitations of the Tax Code

Issue Notes

To the Point

May we give to individuals for vet care?

As a 501(c)(3) organization, we give contributions to specific breed rescue groups to help pay for veterinary costs incurred while rescuing a purebred dog that meets our criteria. Most of the organizations are (c)(3)s. We often get requests from individuals who rescued a dog that meets the criteria for funding from us. These individuals are always members of our over 2000-member organization. Is it okay for us to give reimbursements for vet care to an individual/member?

Lessons from Litigation

Court allows creditor to pursue alter ego claim against church

Tax Matters

Employment Law

25% pay cut may justify quit for unemployment comp

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

New Subscribers can have full access to the entire website and all editions for 3 months for only $17.95.

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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

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

September 16 -October 15, 2012