2003 Nonprofit Alert Archive

December 2003

• U.S. Charitable Donations Decline
• Waiver Protects From Death Claim
• Hospital Pays Back Donor’s $6 Million Gift
• Postage Fraud Settlement Stings Direct Marketing
• National Registry May Aid Regulators
• Adjusting Gifts in Today’s Dollars
• Overtime Changes May Affect Charity Employees

November 2003

• New Faith-Based Funding and Regs
• Reasonable Compensation Media Story Sparks Legal Inquiries by State Regulators
• Court Reprimands Executive for Breach of Duty
• Court Says No Undue Influence With $1M Gift
• Exempt Status Not Jeopardized by Scholarship to Relatives
• Insurance: Know What You’ve Got Before You Need It

October 2003

• H.R. 7 Update: Charity Legislation Stays on Track
• Halloween Hayride Harm: Scary Scenario Case Proceeds Against Church
• Retired Executive Faces Lawsuit for Improper Payments
• $1.25 Million Claim Dismissed; Foundation Cleared
• Nonprofit Coaching Team Scores Tax Exemption After Prolonged IRS Challenge
• Volunteer Directors Avoid Personal Liability for Employee’s Claim

September 2003

• IRS Gives Thumbs Up Approval to Nonprofit’s Joint Venture
• No Volunteer Immunity in Fender-Bender
• Opera Hits Flat Note on Donor’s Gift
• Donor Goes to Jail for Fraud with DAF
• Health Club Gives YMCA Legal Workout on Business Competition
• Employee Fraud on the Rise
• No More Faxes: FCC Rules Affect Charity Marketing

August 2003

• The Fight for Nonprofit Health Benefits
• N.Y. Pushes Tougher Charity Rules
• Associations Oppose H.R. 7 Provision
• IRS Nixes Nonprofit Stock Option Plans
• Support for Religious Criteria
• “Death Tax” and Charitable Giving

July 2003

• Operation Phony Philanthropy
• Court Rejects “Females Only” Policy
• USPS: Split Mailing Costs for Charities?
• IRS Says “No” to Teacher Housing Allowances
• Publishing Booklet Won’t Hurt Nonprofit
• Campaign Law Still Uncertain

June 2003

• Supreme Court Upholds State Fraud Charges Against Charity
• Gospel Missions Challenges Solicitation Ordinance on Constitutional Grounds
• Did Failure to Supervise Cause Volunteer’s Fall
• Employee Copyright Infringement: What They Download Could Hurt You
• Nonprofit’s Trustees Escape Joint Liability for Bad Investments
• 7th Circuit: State Funding to Religious Halfway House Passes Constitutional Review
• Senate Offers CARE for Charities

May 2003

• Supreme Court Denies Certiorari, Signaling Positive Outlook for Exempt Bonds
• IRS Clarifies Limits on Foundation Transfers to Charity; Relaxes 5-Year Rule for Public Charities
• Fund Finally Achieves Tax Exempt Status After 10-Year Battle with IRS over Control Issues
• Religious Exemption Applies Throughout Employment, Not Just at Hiring Time
• IRS Hooks Company Fishing Trip Fringe Benefits
• Responding to Crisis: Recommendations for Charities
• Founder’s Advisory Contract Avoids Self-Dealing

April 2003

• Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Charity Free Speech, Solicitation Case
• Court Protects Nonprofits from Bankruptcy
• War’s Impact on Charities: Between Iraq and a Hard Place
• Board Isn’t Separately Liable from Nonprofit
• Bonnie & Clyde: Bookkeeper & Boyfriend Indicted for Stealing Foundation’s Checks
• Divorce Ends Marriage, But Not COBRA Coverage
• Americorp “Volunteer” Can’t Claim Worker’s Comp
• Web-Based Job Placement Compliments Exemption
• New York A.G. Proposes Stiffer Corporate Accountability on Nonprofits

March 2003

• IRS Policy Now Protects Donor Privacy
• New Political Guide for Religious Groups
• Nonprofit CEO Spouse Equals Disqualified Person; Consulting Fees Must Meet Excess Benefit Test
• Board Slapped with $600,000 in Whistleblower Suit
• FMLA Claim Nets $11.6 Million for Parental Care
• Sick Leave Exchange Program Benefits Employees While Avoiding Tax Consequences
• States Working to Simplify Online Sales Taxes
• Protestant Donations Rise, But Social Gifts Drop
• Virginia Amends Property Tax Exemptions

February 2003

• Music to Donor’s Ear-Marked
• Contribution for Composer: Its Tax Deductible
• Nonprofits Ordered to Dissolve After Profiting Executive and Abandoning Charitable Purpose
• “Do-Not-Call” Means One and All; Limited Exception Only for Charities
• Volunteers Sue Foundation for Contract Breach
• Camp Caretaker’s Rent Doesn’t Destroy Exemption
• Employee Internet Use: Improving Productivity or Increasing Liabilities?
• Foundations Score Favorable IRS Rulings on Training Seminars and Classroom Construction

January 2003

• IRS Changes Policy To Protect Donor Privacy
• New Political Guide for Religious Groups
• Nonprofit CEO’s Spouse Equals Disqualified Person
• Board Slapped with $600,000 in Whistleblower Suit
• Sick Leave Exchange Program Benefits Employees While Avoiding Tax Consequences
• FMLA Claim Nets $11.6 Million for Parental Care
• States Gather to Drink at the Streamlining of Sales Taxes
• Protestant Donations Rise, But Social Gifts Drop
• Virginia Amends Property Tax Exemptions