BLOG for ADVOCATES

We created this blog to share interesting advocacy related items that cross our desks. It can be anything from new research on funding for advocacy to examples of unusual advocacy strategies. If you have an item to share please send it to npaction@npaction.org.
NPAction Staff

Monday, November 09, 2009

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a 44 page compliance guide for nonprofits, excluding 501(c)(3) charities and private foundations. The publication addresses activities that could place an organization's tax exempt status at risk, for example if a group engages in political campaign activity as their primary activity. Further, it discusses general recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure responsibilities. Other topics covered include federal information returns, changes that need to be reported to the IRS, and resources for tax-exempt organizations. The compliance guide for 501(c)(3)'s is available here

Charging that this an ideal time "to get smarter about philanthropy," the Wall Street Journal has a special report on philanthropy. There are multiple articles addressing various perspectives such as those of donors and foundations. The topics speak to what each are doing during these tough economic times. The cover story is written by Pablo Eisenberg, with perspective into the troubles facing charitable giving and offers "nine changes that would go a long way toward making philanthropy do what we all claim we want it to do."