Legal Questions Answered

Search our question database below, containing over 900 answers. Each week Don Kramer, editor of Nonprofit Issues, answers a question from a reader.

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How should concerned citizen deal with nonresponsive nonprofit?

As a “concerned citizen,” without the status of a voting member or an employee of the society, you are on the lowest level of the totem pole of people to whom the organization owes an obligation to provide services or information. Even assuming that the society is not providing any services of any...more

May nonprofit with revenue over $50,000 file 990-N postcard return?

You really have two questions here. May they each file a 990-N electronic postcard which has no financial information and merely confirms that the organizations still exist? And if they may, should they file a 990-N? The IRS recognizes that $50,000 should not be treated as an exact number and...more

Does nonprofit founder have to pay taxes?

All income is subject to federal income tax in the United States unless there is a specific exemption in the Tax Code. There is a specific exemption for 501(c)(3) charities, but not for the people who work for them. Doing good often means that you have to pay less in taxes than people in other...more

May nonprofit directors collude against president?

May directors of a social club meet and agree to oppose an effort by the president to undertake an unnecessary or unwise project? Does the absence of the word “collude” affect the answer? Does the absence of the implication that the other directors are crooks affect the answer? Directors are...more

What should club members do about secret sale?

I don’t normally recommend getting a lawyer involved in internal disputes at nonprofits as the first step because they are expensive and many things can be done politically within the organization that require persuasion of others rather than lawsuits. But this case could involve a lot of money,...more

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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.

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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

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Legal Questions Answered

Legal Questions Answered

Popular Questions Answered

How should concerned citizen deal with nonresponsive nonprofit?

May nonprofit with revenue over $50,000 file 990-N postcard return?

Does nonprofit founder have to pay taxes?

May nonprofit directors collude against president?

What should club members do about secret sale?

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Legal Questions Answered

Legal Questions Answered

Popular Questions Answered

How should concerned citizen deal with nonresponsive nonprofit?

May nonprofit with revenue over $50,000 file 990-N postcard return?

Does nonprofit founder have to pay taxes?

May nonprofit directors collude against president?

What should club members do about secret sale?

Sign-up for our weekly Q&A; get a free report on electioneering