IRS Workshops

Upcoming Events from the IRS

Workshops for Small and Mid-Size 501(c)(3) Organizations

IRS Exempt Organizations is offering a one-day workshop for small and mid-size section 501(c)(3) exempt organizations. Each workshop, presented by experienced Exempt Organizations specialists, will explain what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status and comply with tax obligations. This introductory workshop is designed for administrators or volunteers who are responsible for an organization's tax compliance. Pre-registration is required."

A Good Omen for 2011 Fund Raising - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

A Good Omen for 2011 Fund Raising - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "In a sign that donors are feeling better about the economy, the number of American adults who said they plan to increase their contributions to charity this year increased to 18 percent, according to an annual survey.

In the past, the share of people who expected to increase donations was smaller. In 2009 and 2010, 14 percent planned to step up giving, and in 2008 just 8 percent forecast an increase."

Convio Ranks Most Generous Online Cities for Charitable Giving in�2010 | Business Wire

PRESS RELEASE

Convio Ranks Most Generous Online Cities for Charitable Giving in�2010 | Business Wire: "Convio, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNVO) announced today the release of its third annual ranking of Most Generous Online Cities. Alexandria, VA, Cambridge, MA and Arlington, VA, topped the list for the second year in a row as the nation’s most generous large cities based on online giving in 2010. The biggest movers in the top ten are San Francisco, moving up 5 places to number seven; Minneapolis, falling five places to number ten; and Seattle, moving up two places to number four."

How to Develop a Brand for Your Nonprofit

How to Develop a Brand for Your Nonprofit

January 2011

So you're starting a nonprofit organization or have one and want to know how to build or strengthen your brand. Well, what is a brand? Is it advertising, your spokesperson, a logo? We have heard of the Red Cross, Oprah, McDonald's. These are all brands. And while there may be positive or negative perceptions about each of these, you'll notice their missions are easy to define—providing disaster relief when needed, inspiring people to live better lives, and providing a cheap, convenient meal. They are all based on making a clear promise to their audience. Essentially, your brand is the reputation you have for delivering on your promise.

What does this mean for a nonprofit? A strong brand will help the organization stand out from the masses of solicitations, distinguish its cause from other organizations doing similar work, and inspire others to support them. The best brands elicit positive emotional responses because people understand and identify with each one's mission and know that the organization is consistently true to it. When carefully developed and nurtured, the brand becomes the fabric of an organization's culture.

IRS Free Webinar

Internal Revenue Service Webinar

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

Date: Feb. 2, 2011

This FREE webinar is for:

• Tax professionals

• Attorneys

• Payroll professionals

• Small businesses

Learn about:

• Amount of Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

• Who qualifies

• Eligibility rules

• How to claim the credit

• Calculating the credit

• Resources available

Earn Continuing Professional Education credit:

• Enrolled agents receive one CPE credit for participating for a minimum of 50 minutes from the start of the webinar. Other tax professionals may receive credit if the webinar meets your organization’s or state’s CPE requirements.

• To receive credit, you must attend the event offered on Feb. 2, 2011. You must also register for the webinar using your e-mail address, and use the same e-mail address to log in to attend. This will confirm your attendance and generate your Certificate of Completion. Groups will not receive individual certificates as attendance can not be verified.

• *Only Feb.2, 2011 participants will receive certificates. If you do not need a certificate to obtain CPE credit, you may choose to view the archived version of the webinar after
Feb. 23, 2011.

• Look for your Certificate of Completion by e-mail approximately one week after the webinar. If you have met all requirements, you will receive your certificate automatically.

Register on-line at:

REGISTER & ATTEND (Click on the link to register and attend the session)	EASTERN	CENTRAL	MOUNTAIN	PACIFIC
http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=75575	2 p.m.	1 p.m.	Noon	11 a.m.

Note: Time zones shown are standard time.

General information:

• Visit www.irs.gov and search Webinars for information on other programs available.

• If you experience difficulty viewing the event, please use the e-mail option on the event page or call 866-956-4770.

• The event will be archived for later viewing, approximately three weeks after the date of the event, on the new IRS Video Portal.

Sponsored by: IRS Small Business/Self Employed & Tax Exempt Government Entities Divisions

Five ways you can still help in Haiti - CNN.com

Five ways you can still help in Haiti - CNN.com: "But the devastation didn't end with the natural disaster. Now, Haitians are dealing with a cholera epidemic that has killed more than 2,000 people and political unrest over a disputed presidential election, all while displaced survivors are living in tents and under tarpaulins.

Here are five ways you can still help alleviate some of the Haitian people's suffering:"

Two Bills Introduced In 112th Congress Would Repeal Federal Estate Tax: H.R. 86 & H.R. 99 - Hani Sarji - Estate of Confusion - Forbes

Two Bills Introduced In 112th Congress Would Repeal Federal Estate Tax: H.R. 86 & H.R. 99 - Hani Sarji - Estate of Confusion - Forbes: "Two Bills Introduced In 112th Congress Would Repeal Federal Estate Tax: H.R. 86 & H.R. 99"

Prince Harry hopes to join North Pole trek

Prince Harry hopes to join North Pole trek: "The team is due to begin a four-week, 200 mile (320 kilometer) trek from Siberia across the polar ice cap in March in aid of the charity Walking with the Wounded.

Harry is patron of the charity, which helps servicemen and women who have been seriously hurt or lost limbs."

Pablo Eisenberg: Unintended Consequences of Giving Pledge’s Good Intentions | onPhilanthropy

Pablo Eisenberg: Unintended Consequences of Giving Pledge’s Good Intentions | onPhilanthropy: "Surveys and research have indicated that very wealthy donors, those giving over $1 million a year, donate almost all their money to universities and colleges, hospitals and medical schools, and museums and art institutions. Only a tiny fraction of their money is channeled to low-income oriented nonprofits, grassroots organizations, local social service groups or advocacy and activist organizations."

Panera to Open Third Charity Cafe; Says Most Patrons Paying in Full - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Panera to Open Third Charity Cafe; Says Most Patrons Paying in Full - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Panera to Open Third Charity Cafe; Says Most Patrons Paying in Full

January 13, 2011, 9:37 am

A Portland, Ore., Panera Bread outlet is set to become the restaurant chain’s third nonprofit “pay-as-you-can” cafe featuring charity donation bins rather than cash registers, The Oregonian writes."

Penobscot East Resource Center Gets a New Year’s Gift

Penobscot East Resource Center Gets a New Year’s Gift: "Penobscot East’s announcement of the gift came just days after it reported that it was transferring financial management of its endowment funds to the Maine Community Foundation (MCF). Penobscot East was successful in meeting the foundation’s 25/25 Endowment Challenge, which began in 2008.

“The Maine Community Foundation has an excellent track record of managing nonprofit endowments,” Walter Reed, chairman of Penobscot East’s board, said in a statement. “This service allows us to focus on our mission and strengths, working with eastern Maine fishing communities.”"

Managing a nonprofit boom | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/11/2011

Managing a nonprofit boom | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/11/2011: "As the Nonprofit Center at La Salle University enters its 30th year of service to the Delaware Valley, the linchpin of the nonprofit sector remains what it was three decades ago: passion. The millions of Americans who serve nonprofits do so out of fervent belief in a mission.

Beyond that constant, however, we are struck by the magnitude of change over the past 30 years. The number of human services, arts and culture, community, health, philanthropic, and civic nonprofits has nearly doubled to close to two million, with much of that growth happening in the last 15 years. This has fostered a richer nonprofit sector serving a much more diverse range of populations and missions. For example, instead of a mere handful of local arts and culture opportunities, Philadelphians can choose from a tapestry of hundreds today."

Charity Reinvented: Disruptive approach to philanthropy - The Economic Times

Charity Reinvented: Disruptive approach to philanthropy - The Economic Times: "Thiel, in December 2010, invited some of the wealthiest in the US and presented to them some of the world’s brightest minds and innovative nonprofit initiatives. The meet was titled: ‘Breakthrough Philanthropy: Giant leaps for Humankind.’

Issues from artificial intelligence, biotech, medicine, and new markets were debated. Patri, on the occasion, pitched his ‘country’ as perhaps the world’s first trillion dollar business. “Traditional philanthropy tends to deliver well-established solutions to more people, but the world also needs philanthropy that looks to the future, creating radical innovations,” says Thiel."

Philly.com : Managing a nonprofit boom

Philly.com : Managing a nonprofit boom: "he American nonprofit sector's growth has made it equivalent to the fifth-largest economy in the world, employing almost 10 percent of the nation's workforce and 25 percent of the region's. These jobs increasingly come with livable wages and medical benefits, partly because of a growing understanding that passion does not pay the rent, put children through college, and buy health care. As the sector has expanded and become an economic engine, there has been a welcome recognition that although nonprofits are often started by people fired up by a cause, they must run like businesses if they are to be sustainable over the long haul."

Lodestar Center releases Nonprofit Compensation, Benefits Report | ASU News

Lodestar Center releases Nonprofit Compensation, Benefits Report | ASU News: "The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation released its 2010 Nonprofit Compensation and Benefits Report for Maricopa County and Pima County nonprofit organizations today. The 73-page report contains compensation data across 58 different nonprofit job categories, as well as findings on employee retirement, insurance, and paid days off. It also details salary and demographic information on nonprofit executive directors."

MCFpr2011Outlook.pdf (application/pdf Object)

MCFpr2011Outlook.pdf (application/pdf Object)
MINNEAPOLIS (January 11, 2011) – The Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF), a regional
association of grantmakers, today reported that foundation giving is expected to stabilize in 2011
following two years in which grantmakers anticipated declines. According to MCF’s 2011 Outlook Report
survey, indicators also signal that Minnesota grantmakers are more optimistic about their giving in 2011
than they were at this time last year.


Charity rollover tucked in tax law | StarTribune.com

Charity rollover tucked in tax law | StarTribune.com: "Cowles said the rollover makes sense for older folks who are financially secure and simply don't need all or part of their IRA income.

'There are a lot of Minnesotans who are philanthropic and fall into that category,'' he said.

The provision was first enacted by Congress in 2006, but expired at the end of 2009. It raised millions of dollars for charities during that period, according to the National Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The association is lobbying to reduce the age threshold to 591/2"

Wharf to Wharf Donations Set Record - Santa Cruz, CA Patch

Wharf to Wharf Donations Set Record - Santa Cruz, CA Patch: "The financial arm of the Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf Race gave away $304,657 in 2010 to organizations around Santa Cruz County, the most donated in one year in the race's history. The largest amount, $78,000, went to Santa Cruz High School to help pay for its new track facility."

The Microfinance Backlash : Planet Money : NPR

The Microfinance Backlash : Planet Money : NPR: "Categories: Developing Economies

03:09 pm

January 10, 2011





by Jacob Goldstein
An official from a microfinance company talks with a borrower in Vadod, India.
Sam Panthaky/Getty Images

Microfinance in action in Vadod, India.

These are tough times for microfinance.

Politicians in some developing countries are encouraging borrowers not to repay their loans. And a few studies have cast doubt on the benefits of lending small amounts of money to very poor people — a practice that has long been held up as one of the most promising ways to help people work their way out of profound poverty."

Nonprofit chiefs give tips for success - Local - Modbee.com

Nonprofit chiefs give tips for success - Local - Modbee.com: "Good intentions and a desire to help people are not enough to run a nonprofit, especially in this economy.

A prime example is Community Housing and Shelter Services, a Modesto nonprofit that works to keep parents and their children in homes and off the streets.

It closed for about two weeks over the holidays and laid off most of its staff as it regroups from financial missteps. CHSS board members say they will not repeat their mistakes and are working to regain the public's trust."

Thrifty fashion rules at Silver Spring charity event

Thrifty fashion rules at Silver Spring charity event: "More than 20 models regaled an audience of 100 as they exhibited outfits from the collection of Unique Thrift Store in Silver Spring, part of the enterprise's ambitious giving campaign for 2010 that culminated in a donation of $10,000 in gift certificates to Montgomery County public schools and nonprofit groups."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | County Reconsidering Need for Audits

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | County Reconsidering Need for Audits: "anuary 9, 2011; Source:Star News | Nonprofits receiving a small amount of money from Brunswick County, N.C. may find themselves relieved of the burden of producing full-blown audits soon. The county is reviewing the practice of demanding an audit that could cost between $4,000 and $7,000 from small organizations receiving grants that are sometimes smaller than that cost."

Tax-Exempt Ministries Avoid New Regulation - NYTimes.com

Tax-Exempt Ministries Avoid New Regulation - NYTimes.com: "A three-year investigation into financial improprieties at six Christian ministries whose television preaching bankrolled leaders’ lavish lifestyles has concluded with the formation of an independent commission to look into the lack of accountability by tax-exempt religious groups."

Sean Penn vs. George Clooney: The Battle of Celebrity Philanthropy | Death and Taxes

Sean Penn vs. George Clooney: The Battle of Celebrity Philanthropy | Death and Taxes: "Philanthropy is one of the most popular hobbies for rich Hollywood celebrities. It’s a nice way to save face, write a check, get some tax relief and get their pictures in tabloids and newspapers as “one of the good guys.” Plenty of celebrities give money to charities and good causes, but most never prove that they actually care.

However, Sean Penn and George Clooney—two of the greatest actors of our generation—care deeply. Over the past couple days Death And Taxes has documented Penn’s selfless commitment to the devastated people of Haiti and Clooney’s peace keeping efforts during an election weekend in genocide stricken Sudan."

What Will 2011 Represent for Philanthropy? - RE:Philanthropy

What Will 2011 Represent for Philanthropy? - RE:Philanthropy: "During a meeting with philanthropic leaders at Philanthropy Northwest’s offices in Seattle right after the mid-term elections, one colleague asked me what impact I thought the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives would have on our sector."

IRS Rejects Return of Retirement Payouts to Get Charity Tax Break - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

IRS Rejects Return of Retirement Payouts to Get Charity Tax Break - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Lawmakers made the extension of the tax break retroactive and gave taxpayers until January 31 to make such donations and have them count for the 2010 tax year. But the IRS said Wednesday that the legislation contains no provision for those who have already taken the distribution to return it to their retirement account and give it to charity."

HAPPILY EVER CHAPTER - Association Bisnow - Washington

HAPPILY EVER CHAPTER - Association Bisnow - Washington: "Mariner Management consultants Peggy Hoffman and Peter Houstle work with associations on improving the relationship between the national staff and chapter volunteers. Peggy says such relationships are often like three-year-olds in a sandbox: They're all playing, but not really playing with each other. When they get a little bit older and do start to play together, whoever is strongest tends to dictate the rules."

Modesto nonprofit reopens; CEO quits - Local - Modbee.com

Modesto nonprofit reopens; CEO quits - Local - Modbee.com: "A Modesto nonprofit that closed over the holidays and laid off most of its staff has reopened, but will go forward without its executive director as it continues to untangle its finances.

Community Housing and Shelter Serv- ices Executive Director Karen Cosner resigned Wednesday, said Kim Martinez, president of the nonprofit's board. Board Vic"

12 Tips to Improve Hospital Fundraising Efforts | Hospital Financial and Business News

12 Tips to Improve Hospital Fundraising Efforts | Hospital Financial and Business News: "William C. McGinly, president and CEO of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, provides 12 tips for hospital fundraising efforts, based on AHP surveys and other input."

Pepsi Contest Faces More Charges of Cheating - NYTimes.com

Pepsi Contest Faces More Charges of Cheating - NYTimes.com: "Pepsi Refresh, the online fund-raising contest with a $20 million giveaway for charitable causes and nonprofit groups, is again receiving complaints that its results are being manipulated."