Federal | State | State Legislation | Events
Dec 14, 2011
Save the Date - 2012 ACR Summit for Leaders
Washington, D.C.
Mark your calendars for the Alliance for Charitable Reform’s third annual Summit for Leaders on Wednesday, March 21, 2012.
State Legislation
Alliance for Charitable Reform continues to identify and respond to challenges to the charitable community at the state level.
Sep 30, 2011
State Alert: Massachusetts Board & Executive Compensation
On Thursday, May 26, 2011, the Massachusetts Senate passed an amendment as part of the Senate budget to prohibit public charities from providing board compensation without prior approval from the state Attorney General. The amendment also provides that the AG may review executive compensation and, if the AG does a review, must report findings to the legislature. This budget measure did not survive conference committee negotiations. Nonetheless, it remains a priority of the state attorney general. The provision on board compensation is similar to a bill sponsored by Senator Mark Montigny and Representative Martha Walz earlier in the session.
Current Status
The Senate bill (S. 824 and companion S. 825) are currently under consideration by the legislature.
Federal Legislation | State Legislation
Aug 12, 2011
ACR newsletter (8.12.11)
Friday, August 12, 2011
The latest edition of the ACR newsletter is available below. Here are highlights:
Washington Roundup:
- Deficit Reduction/Super Committee
- Fall Preview
Click continue reading for the latest edition of the ACR newsletter.
Jul 15, 2011
Alert - Hawaii Caps the Charitable Deduction
Update:
Governor Neil Abercombie of Hawaii signed into law legislation capping all deductions on residents with certain income levels. For 2011 through 2015, singles in Hawaii with adjusted gross income (AGI) above $100,000 will only be allowed to claim $25,000 for charitable giving and other deductions, and couples with AGI above $200,000 will be allowed $50,000. This bill is similar to legislation vetoed by the former governor in 2010 but has a lower threshold, capturing more taxpayers.
For full timeline, articles and resources click “continue reading” below.
Further Reading
Jun 7, 2011
‘Mass. Foundations Consider Proposed Restriction on Board-Member Pay’
Chronicle of Philanthropy, June 7, 2011
The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports on reactions of Massachusetts foundations to efforts to prohibit compensation of nonprofit board members:
Here’s an excerpt:
The measure arose from a proposal backed by Martha Coakley, the Massachusetts attorney general, that followed a public outcry over five-figure stipends for directors of the state’s four nonprofit health insurers, two of which voluntarily suspended board compensation.
The bill has moved swiftly in recent weeks after it was attached to the state budget bill that passed the Massachusetts Senate last month
Beth Smith, executive director of the Hyams Foundation, said she had been following the attorney general’s report on nonprofit health insurers but did not realize until recently that the proposed law could apply to her foundation as well. The Hyams Foundation paid 10 of its dozen board members a total of $134,125 in 2009.
“A number of our trustees come from the nonprofit sector, including grass-roots groups, and immigrant communities and low-income communities. It might affect our ability to attract some people if they really need to make a tradeoff in terms of their own income and lives.” Ms. Smith said. “If the law passes, the board will have to have an important conversation about it. I’m not sure what the board would decide to do.”
Further Reading
Jun 3, 2011
Mass. Nonprofit Board Compensation & Executive Pay Under the Gun
Consider this…
Here’s something that has been flying under the radar in Massachusetts that could be of great concern to some in the foundation community and beyond.
First, consider that the definition of a public charity in Massachusetts is very broad – indeed it draws in private foundations as well as health insurers. Second, consider that Massachusetts is leaving no stone unturned in trying to tamp down health care costs. Combine that with a nonprofit health insurance company in Massachusetts where the Board of Directors is being paid as much as $90,000 a year and an ousted nonprofit health insurance executive is receiving $11 million in severance, and you’ve got a recipe for policy trouble.
Achieving Results | Proper Oversight | State Legislation
Dec 7, 2010
Whose Money is it Anyway?
New op-ed raises debate about donor intent and private foundation money
Recently Peter Wood, president of the National Association of Scholars, posted an op-ed in the Chronicle of Higher Education in defense of donor intent and philanthropic freedom - what we believe is the right of donors and foundations to give to the issues, causes and organizations they value in the manner they choose, consistent with the law. He highlighted recent efforts to curtain this freedom by some activist groups including AB 624.
He notes: “American higher education depends profoundly on philanthropy, and whatever threatens philanthropy threatens American higher education… [t]here is actually a more serious threat that was much in the news… the effort to force foundations to “greenline” their philanthropy.”
The Greenlining Institute responded yesterday with an op-ed arguing among other issues for greater foundation transparency and diversity.
Peter Wood continued the debate by responding to Greenlining’s comments.
We’ll continue to follow this debate and keep your posted.
For the full debate visit:
11/17 Generosity, Trussed - by Peter Wood, National Association of Scholars
12/7 The Greenlining Institute Responds to Peter Wood - by Orson Aguilar and Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute
12/7 Who Owns Philanthropy? - by Peter Wood, National Association of Scholars
Federal Legislation | State Legislation
Nov 19, 2010
Top Ten List: What the Elections Mean for the Nonprofit Sector
Consider this…
Our top ten list of what this month’s elections mean for the nonprofit sector:
1. This year’s freshman class is one of the largest in history.
2. Outgoing Ways and Means Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI) and presumed incoming Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) are both very supportive of the nonprofit community, perhaps because they both hail from Michigan, a state with a rich history of effective nonprofits and foundations.
3. But, potentially rougher waters await the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee.
4. Senator Hatch brings a different perspective to Senate Finance Committee Leadership.
Oct 8, 2010
PILOTs: Landing in a town near you?
Consider This…
Here’s a trend to be worried about—in the search for revenue to fill budget holes, many towns, large and small are getting creative. They are taking a second look at land owned by non-profit institutions which don’t pay property taxes.
In order to get around state laws exempting these properties, city and town officials are asking for payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) from nonprofits. Others are asking for service fees for sewer management, fire and police protection and even street lamps.
Federal Legislation | State Legislation | Events
Sep 29, 2010
2010 Philanthropy Roundtable Annual Meeting
Two weeks until we “Explore, Dream, Discover: The Power of Philanthropy” in Amelia Island, FL
ACR has a strong lineup of sessions and events scheduled for The Philanthropy Roundtable’s Annual Meeting to take place October 14-16, 2010 at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, FL. From a congressional outlook for 2011 to advancing legislation that protects philanthropic freedom across states, ACR will tackle issues important to the philanthropic sector.
It’s not too late to register!
Following are ACR sessions and events at the Annual Meeting: