New Charity Package Introduced in Senate - Press - AFP

New Charity Package Introduced in Senate - Press - AFP: "New Charity Package Introduced in Senate
Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)  have introduced a series of charity provisions called The CHARITY (Charities Helping Americans Regularly Throughout the Year) Act, which calls on the Senate to  ensure that the “value and scope of the deduction for charitable contributions is not diminished during a comprehensive rewrite of the tax code.”

The CHARITY Act, S. 2750, builds on several significant charitable tax provisions that were signed into law late last year, including one that makes permanent a law allowing taxpayers at least 70 ½  to make charitable contributions directly from their IRAs."



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Fundraising Chief Watt Calls on Congress to Preserve Charitable Deduction, Look at New Ways to Invest in Communities - Press - AFP

Fundraising Chief Watt Calls on Congress to Preserve Charitable Deduction, Look at New Ways to Invest in Communities - Press - AFP: Fundraising Chief Watt Calls on Congress to Preserve Charitable Deduction, Look at New Ways to Invest in Communities

Over 40 Nonprofit Officials and Experts to Testify on Charitable Deduction - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Over 40 Nonprofit Officials and Experts to Testify on Charitable Deduction - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The House Ways and Means Committee, sponsor of the mega-hearing, will receive testimony from representatives of trade associations including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and National Council of Nonprofits and charities including the Associaion of Gospel Rescue Missions, Meals on Wheels, and Volunteers of America.

The IRS And Permissible Activity - TheNonProfitTimes

The IRS And Permissible Activity - TheNonProfitTimes: The presidential election is just a couple of weeks away and people sometimes get desperate as the days get closer. Federal tax law strictly prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from engaging in activities to support or oppose candidates for public office.

However, there are still a number of ways that 501(c)(3)s can be involved in the political process without running afoul of the law.

Unfortunately, the line between prohibited and permissible activities is murky and can be easily crossed if proper managers of the 501(c)(3) are not careful in how they plan and execute the activities. Now might be a good time to review the rules that will help you stay on the right side of the line while involved in the process.

The Free Press, Mankato, MN - Our View: Pastors should tread lightly

The Free Press, Mankato, MN - Our View: Pastors should tread lightly: "Why should churches not endorse candidates from the pulpit?

Everyone is waxing political these days, and that includes everyone from David Letterman to Lindsay Lohan. So when pastors announce their intention to endorse, putting their churches’ tax-exempt status in jeopardy with the Internal Revenue Service, shouldn’t they have that right?"

Nashville pastors shun national pulpit protest - USATODAY.com

Nashville pastors shun national pulpit protest - USATODAY.com: "Some 74% strongly disagreed with the idea that pastors should be able to endorse candidates during a church service and another 13% disagreed somewhat. Only 5% strongly approved of pulpit endorsements.

'There is a longstanding and publicly affirmed view that the pulpit is not the place for politics, particularly endorsements,' said Ed Stetzer, director of Southern Baptist affiliated LifeWay Research. 'It would appear this view is still widely held in most sectors of society.'

So far, Nashville-area pastors seem to agree. None have joined the pulpit protests."

Pastors should pay the price to politicize

Editorial

Pastors should pay the price to politicize: "As the election heats up, a group of ministers across the country might run into trouble for endorsing their choices for president.

Dubbed Pulpit Freedom Sunday, 33 church leaders will speak to their congregations about how they should vote. Copies of their sermons will be sent directly to the Internal Revenue Service in attempt to challenge the law that prevents nonprofit organizations from dealing with partisan issues."

Good reason for wall between pulpit, politics | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

Editorial

Good reason for wall between pulpit, politics | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA: "Good reason for wall between pulpit, politics
THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: September 30th, 2008 12:30 AM
This past weekend, 33 evangelical Protestant pastors in 22 states deliberately put their churches’ tax-exempt status at risk by preaching politics from their pulpits."

Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS | csmonitor.com

Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS | csmonitor.com: "During sermons this Sunday, some 35 pastors across the country will tell their congregations which presidential candidate they should vote for, 'according to the Scriptures.'

Their endorsements represent a direct challenge to federal tax law, which prohibits tax-exempt organizations from engaging in partisan political activity."

Nonprofits walk fine line on political activity - Giving- msnbc.com

From MSNBC -Contribute
Nonprofits walk fine line on political activity - Giving- msnbc.com: "Nonprofits could be one of the 'sleeping giants' of this fall’s presidential election, having as much to do with turning red states blue — or vice versa — as will Iraq, Barack or soaring gas prices.

No way, you say? Nonprofits can’t get involved in politics, right?

Truth is, there’s a fine line between what they can and cannot do legally when it comes to politics."

JS Online: Nonprofits get common voice

JS Online: Nonprofits get common voice: "Nonprofits get common voice Association to lobby for, serve them By ANNYSA JOHNSON anjohnson@journalsentinel.com Posted: Oct. 21, 2007 There are 31,000 nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin, from social service agencies to arts and environmental groups, and trade associations for everything from equipment manufacturers to longshoremen. Advertisement Buy a link here As a group, they're the fifth-largest employer in the state and generate about $22 billion a year in revenue."

The Shreveport Times-It's time to let nonprofits sit at the policy table

The Shreveport Times: "Welcome then a push by the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations and the Louisiana Association of United Ways to launch a discussion around community solutions. Part of the effort urges candidates seeking office this fall — particularly the governor and legislative seats — to respond to hard questions related to poverty across the state. Emphases include funding for child care and early education services, health clinics and substance abuse services. Other highlighted areas include reducing duplicative social services, raising the earned income tax credit and providing support for those moving from government assistance to self-sufficiency."

OMB Watch Unveils New Report on Nonprofits and Elections

OMB Watch Unveils New Report on Nonprofits and Elections: "OMB Watch Unveils New Report on Nonprofits and Elections
Nonprofits are Key to Helping America Vote
By:
Published: Aug 3, 2007 at 09:03


OMB Watch today released a new report on the role of nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations in elections. How Nonprofits Helped America Vote: 2006 clearly illustrates that the work of nonprofits is critical in increasing civic participation throughout the country and fostering vibrant, engaged communities. The report focuses solely on so-called 501(c)(3) organizations and does not cover the activities of special interest associations or 527 political committees."

TSNE -> Articles -> Electronic Advocacy Practices

Article by John McNutt on Electronic Advocacy on TSNE site

TSNE -> Articles -> Electronic Advocacy Practices: "Nonprofit advocacy is an important part of the sector’s contribution to society. Our mission to build a participatory civil society and insure social justice falls firmly to advocates who represent the causes that we hold dear. Practically, nonprofit advocates protect our programs, funding and integrity as a sector"