The head of a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit pleaded guilty to lying about her 2009 tax returns and is cooperating with prosecutors in their investigation of former D.C. councilman Harry Thomas Jr.
Danita Doleman, who is the executive director of Youth Tech, received $110,000 from the D.C. Children & Youth Investment Trust in 2009, according to a report in The Washington Post. Doleman admitted to funneling $100,000 of that money, which was supposed to be used for drug prevention programs, to the D.C. Young Democrats.
Ayawana Chase Webster, a staffer for Thomas Jr. and head of the D.C. Young Democrats in 2009, used the money from Youth Tech to fund a ball at the John A. Wilson Building. Thomas Jr., who was sentenced to 38 months in prison last week for theft of public funds from the trust, admitted to steering the $100,000 to the ball.
The executive director of the D.C. Youth Investment Trust at the time, Millicent D. West, told prosecutors that she worked with Thomas Jr. and his staff to find a way to pay for the ball. She told them that a non-political group would have to pay for it. That's where Youth Tech came into play.
Doleman's role in the scandal had not been mentioned in the original court documents. A two-page charge filed Wednesday accused her of failing to report $20,000 in income she received from Youth Tech in 2009. Her lawyer, Michelle Peterson, said her client filed an amendment to reflect the $4,000 she owed in taxes and, as part of her plea agreement, would provide information for the government's investigation of Thomas Jr.
You can read the full story in The Washington Post.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Why Do Donors Give?
For years, fundraisers have been searching for the answer to a question that is the nonprofit equivalent of the Holy Grail: Why do donors give?
This is one of those questions that truly doesn't have a single right answer. Every donor who you talk to will likely give you a different reason for they decided to give money or other gifts to an organization. That doesn't mean people have given up trying to come up with a concrete answer to the question. Larry C. Johnson, author of "The Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising," thinks he has the answer: People give because they want to.
It may not be the profound answer that some in fundraising are looking for, but it does have some weight behind it. There is no denying that you can't force someone to give if they don't want to.
In a study by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University,
“Understanding Donors' Motivations,” the five most frequently occurring
motivations for philanthropy were listed. They are:
- To meet critical, basic needs;
- To give back to society by making the community a better place;
- A belief that those with more should help those with less;
- To bring about a desired impact or result; and,
- A request for money was made.
These reasons are sure to spark debate among fundraisers. Let us know what your thoughts are, and whether you have found a different answer to this intriguing question.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Senate Campaign Finance Bill Would Target Nonprofits
The New Hampshire State Senate is preparing to vote today on a bill that would require nonprofits and other groups to report the money they spend on state and national political races.
Nonprofits have long been under the microscope of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for contributions or statements made during campaign season but, as was reported by The Union Leader, Senate bill HB 1704 would expand the definition of a political committee to include tax-exempt organizations, specifically 501(c)(4)s, 501(c)(5)s, and 501(c)(6)s. These include social advocacy groups, labor unions, and business associations.
In the wake of the Supreme Court decision Citizen v. United, there has been a lot of concern about anonymous donors using 501(c)(4)s as a means to funnel huge contributions to what are known as Super Political Action Committees (PACs). Still, both liberal and conservative groups have expressed displeasure with the current bill.
New Hampshire ACLU Executive Director Claire Ebel told The Union Leader that she was particularly concerned about a section of the bill that requires disclosure when a group pays for “distribution of information critical of a member of the general court who has not filed for office.” Ebel believes this is in direct violation of the First Amendment. The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, a conservative organization based in Concord, N.H., also has issues with this section of the bill.
HB 1704 is being promoted by Concord-based Coalition for Open Democracy, whose program director, Olivia Zink, denied the bill would squash free speech. She said the bill was based on similar legislation that was passed in Maine that was upheld by the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
You can read the full story in The Union Leader.
Nonprofits have long been under the microscope of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for contributions or statements made during campaign season but, as was reported by The Union Leader, Senate bill HB 1704 would expand the definition of a political committee to include tax-exempt organizations, specifically 501(c)(4)s, 501(c)(5)s, and 501(c)(6)s. These include social advocacy groups, labor unions, and business associations.
In the wake of the Supreme Court decision Citizen v. United, there has been a lot of concern about anonymous donors using 501(c)(4)s as a means to funnel huge contributions to what are known as Super Political Action Committees (PACs). Still, both liberal and conservative groups have expressed displeasure with the current bill.
New Hampshire ACLU Executive Director Claire Ebel told The Union Leader that she was particularly concerned about a section of the bill that requires disclosure when a group pays for “distribution of information critical of a member of the general court who has not filed for office.” Ebel believes this is in direct violation of the First Amendment. The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, a conservative organization based in Concord, N.H., also has issues with this section of the bill.
HB 1704 is being promoted by Concord-based Coalition for Open Democracy, whose program director, Olivia Zink, denied the bill would squash free speech. She said the bill was based on similar legislation that was passed in Maine that was upheld by the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
You can read the full story in The Union Leader.
How Much Surplus Do You Need?
What could possibly be bad about a nonprofit having a large surplus of cash? According to Lesley Rosenthal, author of "Good Counsel," there's a perfectly good reason why it's not necessarily a good thing to have too much money in reserve.
Rosenthal wrote that, while it's always a good thing to have some money saved up, nonprofits need to make sure there isn't too much. This is because a large surplus could indicate that the organization is not doing as much good as it could or should.
This raises another question: How much surplus is appropriate? Rosenthal explained that this question can be answered by weighing financial and legal matters. She suggested four things to consider with your counsel:
- Insurance deductibles: Some organizations may carry insurance policies with sizable deductibles, where the policy does not cover attorneys’ fees or losses until they reach a certain size. Counsel should help the finance team understand whether coverages include or exclude defense costs, and whether these costs are necessary.
- Self-insurance: Some large nonprofits may self-insure for medical, casualty, and workers’ compensation claims. Organizations with self-insured exposure must establish liability funds to cover known claims as well as incurred but not reported claims and the costs of the defense.
- Pending threatened litigation: Counsel should be sure to update the finance staff on the status of these potential litigation matters, especially those for which insurance coverage or defense may not be available, and help calculate the material potential financial impact on the organization against which reserves should be held.
- Compliance with matching fund requirements: Counsel should coordinate with finance and fundraising staff about the terms of governmental or foundation grants that require matching funding. Together they should establish appropriate levels of reserves to make sure that matching obligations are met.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Maurice Sendak's Legacy Of Philanthropy
Well known author and illustrator Maurice Sendak passed away today at the age of 83 after suffering a stroke. While Sendak was best known for books such as "Where the Wild Things Are," he also leaves behind a legacy of philanthropy.
The Huffington Post reported today that Sendak was quietly involved in a number of philanthropic causes. In 2010, he gave $1 million to the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, a New York City based agency that provides services to needy families in the state. Sendak decided to make the gift in honor of his partner, Eugene D. Glynn, who died in 2007 after working for the organization as a psychiatrist for 30 years. Sendak told The Wall Street Journal at the time that he was contributing to a cause that Eugene would have wanted to do.
Sendak's donations didn't always come in the form of money. Since the 1960s, he had been donating his books and illustrations to Philadelphia's Rosenbach Museum of Library. Sendak served on the museum's board of directors.
You can read the full story in The Huffington Post.
The Huffington Post reported today that Sendak was quietly involved in a number of philanthropic causes. In 2010, he gave $1 million to the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, a New York City based agency that provides services to needy families in the state. Sendak decided to make the gift in honor of his partner, Eugene D. Glynn, who died in 2007 after working for the organization as a psychiatrist for 30 years. Sendak told The Wall Street Journal at the time that he was contributing to a cause that Eugene would have wanted to do.
Sendak's donations didn't always come in the form of money. Since the 1960s, he had been donating his books and illustrations to Philadelphia's Rosenbach Museum of Library. Sendak served on the museum's board of directors.
You can read the full story in The Huffington Post.
Michigan School District Lost Thousands To Fake Nonprofit
Newly unsealed federal court records show that the Highland Park, Mich. school district lost $170,000 to a fake nonprofit set up by a now indicted school board member.
The Detroit Free Press reported today on the records, which provide a deeper look at the government's case against Robert Davis, 32, who is charged with stealing from the already cash-strapped school district. Davis used money from the phony nonprofit, called Citizens United to Save Highland Park Schools, on personal expenditures. Records show he allegedly spent $84,000 on perks such as custom-made clothes, hotel rooms, bar and restaurant tabs, and spending sprees at malls. He is also accused of withdrawing $86,711 in cash from the organization.
Citizens United was set up in 2005 by Davis, who used his home as the address for the fake nonprofit. According to an FBI search warrant affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court in Detroit, Davis was listed as the sole signatory for the organization's account. Highland Park school officials reportedly had no idea the account existed.
Davis was indicted on April 5 on charges that he stole more than $125,000 from the school district by submitting false invoices for advertising between 2004 and 2010. He faces up to 10 years in jail if he is convicted.
You can read the full story in The Detroit Free Press.
The Detroit Free Press reported today on the records, which provide a deeper look at the government's case against Robert Davis, 32, who is charged with stealing from the already cash-strapped school district. Davis used money from the phony nonprofit, called Citizens United to Save Highland Park Schools, on personal expenditures. Records show he allegedly spent $84,000 on perks such as custom-made clothes, hotel rooms, bar and restaurant tabs, and spending sprees at malls. He is also accused of withdrawing $86,711 in cash from the organization.
Citizens United was set up in 2005 by Davis, who used his home as the address for the fake nonprofit. According to an FBI search warrant affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court in Detroit, Davis was listed as the sole signatory for the organization's account. Highland Park school officials reportedly had no idea the account existed.
Davis was indicted on April 5 on charges that he stole more than $125,000 from the school district by submitting false invoices for advertising between 2004 and 2010. He faces up to 10 years in jail if he is convicted.
You can read the full story in The Detroit Free Press.
Monday, May 7, 2012
National Museum Of Natural History Gets Major Donation
David H. Koch, executive vice president of Koch Industries, has made his mark on National Museum of Natural History by donating $35 million to the Washington, D.C.-based museum.
The major gift, which was announced by the Smithsonian Institute last Thursday, will be used to build a new dinosaur hall, according to a report in The Washington Post. It is the largest single donation the museum has ever received, and the fifth largest in Smithsonian history.
Koch, who might be best known for his support of conservative causes, has been a member of the museum's advisory board for the past 15 years. He told The Post that he made the donation because he believes the institution's current dinosaur hall is "obsolete." Many of the specimens included in the current dinosaur exhibit have been there since the museum first opened 100 years ago.
This is certainly not Koch's first experience with philanthropy related to dinosaur exhibits. He donated $20 million to the dinosaur hall in New York City's American Museum of Natural History in 2006. He also gave $100 million to the renovation project for the State Theater of New York at Lincoln Center.
The National Museum of Natural History's current dinosaur exhibit will close in 2014, with the renovated hall scheduled for completion in 2019. The total cost of the work is estimated at $45 million.
You can read more about this story in The Washington Post.
The major gift, which was announced by the Smithsonian Institute last Thursday, will be used to build a new dinosaur hall, according to a report in The Washington Post. It is the largest single donation the museum has ever received, and the fifth largest in Smithsonian history.
Koch, who might be best known for his support of conservative causes, has been a member of the museum's advisory board for the past 15 years. He told The Post that he made the donation because he believes the institution's current dinosaur hall is "obsolete." Many of the specimens included in the current dinosaur exhibit have been there since the museum first opened 100 years ago.
This is certainly not Koch's first experience with philanthropy related to dinosaur exhibits. He donated $20 million to the dinosaur hall in New York City's American Museum of Natural History in 2006. He also gave $100 million to the renovation project for the State Theater of New York at Lincoln Center.
The National Museum of Natural History's current dinosaur exhibit will close in 2014, with the renovated hall scheduled for completion in 2019. The total cost of the work is estimated at $45 million.
You can read more about this story in The Washington Post.
Game Changing Ruling On Tax Exemption?
A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on the tax exempt status of a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Orthodox Jewish school's camp could have the potential to set precedent for future legal challenges of charities.
According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Mesivtah Eitz Chaim of Bobov Inc. summer camp was ruled not to be a nonprofit, despite being owned by a religious institution. This is because most of the 61-acre property surrounding the camp does not meet the criteria for charities in Pennsylvania.
The ruling has some concerned that we could be returning to the times, mainly in the 1980s and 1990s, when the tax exempt status of nonprofits was regularly challenged by local governments. A spokesman for Pennsylvania state Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati openly raised the possibility that the state's constitution might need to be amended the clarify the section on purely public charities.
The court's decision, a narrow 4-3 ruling, had this kind of impact for a number of reasons. For one, it turned the notion of what qualifies as a nonprofit on its head. Yet even more telling was that the court cited its own 1985 ruling, Hospital Utilization Project v. Commonwealth, as the controlling point, not a 1997 law known as Act 55, which lays out what defines a public charity.
The 1985 ruling, also known as the HUP Test, states that a purely public charity must pass five tests to gain tax exemption: advance a charitable purpose; donate or render gratuitously a substantial portion of its services; benefit a substantial and indefinite class of persons who are legitimate subjects of charity; operate entirely free from private profit motive; and relieve the government of some of its burden. Mesivtah Eitz Chaim of Bobov Inc met every criteria except the last one.
We have already seen a number of legal challenges of tax exempt organizations in the past year, with the most famous example being the case of a number of nonprofit hospitals in Illinois.
You can read the full story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Mesivtah Eitz Chaim of Bobov Inc. summer camp was ruled not to be a nonprofit, despite being owned by a religious institution. This is because most of the 61-acre property surrounding the camp does not meet the criteria for charities in Pennsylvania.
The ruling has some concerned that we could be returning to the times, mainly in the 1980s and 1990s, when the tax exempt status of nonprofits was regularly challenged by local governments. A spokesman for Pennsylvania state Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati openly raised the possibility that the state's constitution might need to be amended the clarify the section on purely public charities.
The court's decision, a narrow 4-3 ruling, had this kind of impact for a number of reasons. For one, it turned the notion of what qualifies as a nonprofit on its head. Yet even more telling was that the court cited its own 1985 ruling, Hospital Utilization Project v. Commonwealth, as the controlling point, not a 1997 law known as Act 55, which lays out what defines a public charity.
The 1985 ruling, also known as the HUP Test, states that a purely public charity must pass five tests to gain tax exemption: advance a charitable purpose; donate or render gratuitously a substantial portion of its services; benefit a substantial and indefinite class of persons who are legitimate subjects of charity; operate entirely free from private profit motive; and relieve the government of some of its burden. Mesivtah Eitz Chaim of Bobov Inc met every criteria except the last one.
We have already seen a number of legal challenges of tax exempt organizations in the past year, with the most famous example being the case of a number of nonprofit hospitals in Illinois.
You can read the full story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Comment On The News
One of the great things about the Internet is the ability to interact with a community. Sharing your opinion on the hottest stories is a lot of fun, and now you can do just that thanks to the new commenting feature on The NonProfit Times.
Make your voice heard on the latest issues in the nonprofit sector by signing up to our website today. Once you fill in all the required fields, you can start commenting on any of our news stories. We're really excited to hear your opinions and see some lively (but civil) debates on the hot stories affecting nonprofits.
To get things rolling, here's a link to one of our newest stories on the end of Public/Private Ventures. What are your thoughts on this organization closing its doors after 35 years?
Make your voice heard on the latest issues in the nonprofit sector by signing up to our website today. Once you fill in all the required fields, you can start commenting on any of our news stories. We're really excited to hear your opinions and see some lively (but civil) debates on the hot stories affecting nonprofits.
To get things rolling, here's a link to one of our newest stories on the end of Public/Private Ventures. What are your thoughts on this organization closing its doors after 35 years?
Friday, May 4, 2012
The NPT Jobs Posting Special
In this tough economy, you need to take advantage of all sources when recruiting new candidates for open positions. That means not only using job boards, but also social media and print advertisements. With the newest jobs posting special from The NonProfit Times, you get all of that and more.
For only $595, your organization will get all the tools it needs to reach a wide audience of job seekers. Here's a look at some of the highlights:
For only $595, your organization will get all the tools it needs to reach a wide audience of job seekers. Here's a look at some of the highlights:
- Online 30 day posting on The Nonprofit Job Seeker.
- Banner ad to run for 30 days that ad is running, SITE WIDE.
- Job tweeted to @nptjobs & @nonprofittimes list 3x each.
- Listing in the print and digital editions of our magazine
- Blog post of your listing on our Jobs Blog
NY Attorney General Sues Race Horse Nonprofit
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced yesterday that he has filed a lawsuit against the directors of a nonprofit for retired race horses.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported that Schneiderman accused the Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) of providing inadequate care for its 1,100 retired race horses. The suit alleges the organization took on more horses than it could handle, leading to poor food, unattended injuries, and a lack of shelter for severe weather.
In a statement, Schneiderman said that both the state and the nation need TRF to succeed but that the group's "board has driven this vital organization into the ground." The foundation is also accused of paying its boarding farms less than $3 per horse a day to provide care -- less than half spent by similar organizations -- and that the board diverted funds for horses to repay loans by two of the organization's directors.
TRF Chairman John Moore has denied the allegations, saying that suit is based on a "pile of lies." He insisted that all of the horses they care for are in good condition, and that TRF would pursue every legal avenue to defend itself.
You can read the full story in The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported that Schneiderman accused the Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) of providing inadequate care for its 1,100 retired race horses. The suit alleges the organization took on more horses than it could handle, leading to poor food, unattended injuries, and a lack of shelter for severe weather.
In a statement, Schneiderman said that both the state and the nation need TRF to succeed but that the group's "board has driven this vital organization into the ground." The foundation is also accused of paying its boarding farms less than $3 per horse a day to provide care -- less than half spent by similar organizations -- and that the board diverted funds for horses to repay loans by two of the organization's directors.
TRF Chairman John Moore has denied the allegations, saying that suit is based on a "pile of lies." He insisted that all of the horses they care for are in good condition, and that TRF would pursue every legal avenue to defend itself.
You can read the full story in The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Featured Nonprofit Job: Grant Writer
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio (LSSCO) is actively searching for a full-time Grant Writer to identify and pursue a vast array of grant opportunities that support fundraising and program priorities for the organization. This position will partner with program leadership to plan and ensure targeted grant goals are being met. While teamwork is certainly a part of this job, you must also be able to work independently to research, analyze, and make recommendations for new grant opportunities.
Wondering what it takes to qualify for this work? LSSCO listed the following requirements in their job description:
- Bachelor's Degree in communications or a related field.
- At least five years of grant writing experience, specifically with government or other complex grants.
- Strong computer skills with knowledge in online resources, Microsoft Office products, and Raiser's Edge or other application databases.
- Demonstrated ability to work as a team and develop collaborative partnerships with the ability to set expectations, hold other accountable, and provide effective feedback. Must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and set priorities.
Alexandria Nonprofits Cash In On Giving Day
Online giving days have been very popular recently, with cities such as Erie, N.Y. participating in a 24-hour marathon of fundraising. Alexandria, Va., which has hosted this kind of event in the past, has once again cashed in on its popularity.
The Washington Post reported that organizations in the northern Virginia city hoped to raise $200,000 in the 24-hour "Spring2ACTion Alexandria" online giving day which ended yesterday. The event encouraged donors of all income levels to give $10 or more to local charities via spring2action.org or by phone.
Nonprofits not only reached their goal, they exceeded it.
According to the numbers from spring2action.org, nonprofits raised a combined $319,333 from 3,698 donors. Last year's Spring2Action campaign raised $104,000 from more than 1,200 donors.
Casa Chirilagua, a Christian faith-based nonprofit, led all organizations with $33,774 from 186 unique donors. The Art League Inc. came in a close second, with $32,416 from 610 unique donors, which was the most donors to any organization during the event.
Spring2ACTion Alexandria was the first of three days of fundraising events in the city. A business philanthropy summit, a community service day, and a kids lemonade stand day are upcoming. You can read more about Spring2ACTion and these other events in The Washington Post.
The Washington Post reported that organizations in the northern Virginia city hoped to raise $200,000 in the 24-hour "Spring2ACTion Alexandria" online giving day which ended yesterday. The event encouraged donors of all income levels to give $10 or more to local charities via spring2action.org or by phone.
Nonprofits not only reached their goal, they exceeded it.
According to the numbers from spring2action.org, nonprofits raised a combined $319,333 from 3,698 donors. Last year's Spring2Action campaign raised $104,000 from more than 1,200 donors.
Casa Chirilagua, a Christian faith-based nonprofit, led all organizations with $33,774 from 186 unique donors. The Art League Inc. came in a close second, with $32,416 from 610 unique donors, which was the most donors to any organization during the event.
Spring2ACTion Alexandria was the first of three days of fundraising events in the city. A business philanthropy summit, a community service day, and a kids lemonade stand day are upcoming. You can read more about Spring2ACTion and these other events in The Washington Post.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Online Giving Challenge Raises $2.2 Million
An online giving challenge sponsored by Battle Creek, Mich.-based W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) raised more than $2.2 million over 10 days.
"The Challenge was a success because it really engaged grassroots participation," said Dr. Alandra Washington, the foundation's deputy director of programs for the education and learning, and family economic security teams. "This will serve as a model for what communities can do to help themselves and their causes in the social media realm."
Read the full press release in The Sacramento Bee.
Twenty-two nonprofits participated in the foundation's national "Cultures of Giving Challenge," according to a press release posted in The Sacramento Bee. The challenge ran from April 17 to April 26 and provided a dollar-for-dollar match up to the first $20,000 per nonprofit. A total of $1.3 million was raised from 3,421 donations, with WKKF matching that number with a total of $915,000.
WKKF decided to hold The Challenge after the release of its report entitled "Cultures of Giving: Energizing and Expanding Philanthropy by and for Communities of Color." The report showcased the power of identity-based philanthropy, which is a growing movement to get people from that community to engage in philanthropic giving. A recent report by Blackbaud also indicated that online giving is continuing to grow, increasing for the 12th month in a row.
Read the full press release in The Sacramento Bee.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The May 1 Issue Of The NonProfit Times
With the beginning of a new month comes a new issue of The NonProfit Times. We're excited to commemorate the beginning of our march towards summer with the release of our May 1 issue! This edition of NPT contains a new Special Report and insights on topics from education to boards. Let's take a look at what's inside, shall we?
Special Report:
Special Report:
- Online Or Offline: What's the key for to successful professional development? It looks like it's a combination of both online and offline work.
Articles:
- East Coast Vs. West Coast, Public Vs. Private: Our main cover story for this issue focuses on the role geography plays when it comes to fundraising at colleges and universities.
- Nonprofits Make Sure Friends Find Them 'Pinteresting': An in-depth look at how nonprofits are making use of the latest social media phenomenon, Pinterest. Is there a future in its use for organizations?
- Smaller Boards Flexible, Engage All Members: It seems that less may be more when it comes to the size of nonprofit boards.
Columns:
- Taxes Vs. Fundraising: Why is the federal government trying to do the work of nonprofits?
- Don't Assume: Leaders of volunteers deal daily with all sorts of misconceptions that seem never to die, no matter how often they are challenged. One of these is the assumption that people automatically know how to work effectively with volunteers.
MD Nonprofits To Get Advance Funding
Small nonprofits in Montgomery County, Md. will get one-third of their funding up front beginning next fiscal year.
Gazette.net reported yesterday that, starting in Fiscal 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will implement this change for nonprofits that receive less than $26,000 dollars from the county. As it currently stands, organizations that contract with HHS submit monthly invoices with supporting documents. HHS then reimburses them for what they spend.
Uma Ahluwalia, the director of the county's HHS, told Gazette.net that giving nonprofits advance contracts will allow them to better fulfill their goals. She added that this change was first requested by the nonprofits in Montgomery County.
Here is how the new policy would work: If a nonprofit receives less than $26,000 from the county, it would get $8,600 up front. Assuming all of the organizations in that group received that amount of money, the county would spend about $480,000 in advance. HHS also plans to allow smaller nonprofits to keep back-up documents on-site, simplifying the administration of the money.
You can read the full story on Gazette.net.
Gazette.net reported yesterday that, starting in Fiscal 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will implement this change for nonprofits that receive less than $26,000 dollars from the county. As it currently stands, organizations that contract with HHS submit monthly invoices with supporting documents. HHS then reimburses them for what they spend.
Uma Ahluwalia, the director of the county's HHS, told Gazette.net that giving nonprofits advance contracts will allow them to better fulfill their goals. She added that this change was first requested by the nonprofits in Montgomery County.
Here is how the new policy would work: If a nonprofit receives less than $26,000 from the county, it would get $8,600 up front. Assuming all of the organizations in that group received that amount of money, the county would spend about $480,000 in advance. HHS also plans to allow smaller nonprofits to keep back-up documents on-site, simplifying the administration of the money.
You can read the full story on Gazette.net.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Nonprofit Hospitals Accused Of Poor Charitable Care
A recent study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that many nonprofit hospitals provide only slightly more charitable care than for-profit ones.
A report on North County Public Radio (NCPR) expanded on this study by telling the story of Lori Duff from Columbus, OH. Duff had frequently visited a local nonprofit hospital called Mount Caramel Health for prenatal care while pregnant with her third son. She had assumed that, since she was earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, that the prenatal care would be free. That's why she was shocked when debt collectors demanded $1,800 for her visits to the hospital.
A spokesperson for Mount Caramel, which sued Duff and several other patients for not paying their bills, told NCPR that its mission is to provide as much charitable care as possible, but it must collect payments from those who can afford to pay them.
This is not the first instance that nonprofit hospitals have been accused of stingy health care. Three Illinois hospitals were denied tax-exemption last year after it was deemed they did not provide enough free care. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 attempted to address this type of issue by setting new rules for how nonprofit hospitals report its charity care. These new rules went into effect last year but have not been widely enforced. Here are some of the requirements:
A report on North County Public Radio (NCPR) expanded on this study by telling the story of Lori Duff from Columbus, OH. Duff had frequently visited a local nonprofit hospital called Mount Caramel Health for prenatal care while pregnant with her third son. She had assumed that, since she was earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, that the prenatal care would be free. That's why she was shocked when debt collectors demanded $1,800 for her visits to the hospital.
A spokesperson for Mount Caramel, which sued Duff and several other patients for not paying their bills, told NCPR that its mission is to provide as much charitable care as possible, but it must collect payments from those who can afford to pay them.
This is not the first instance that nonprofit hospitals have been accused of stingy health care. Three Illinois hospitals were denied tax-exemption last year after it was deemed they did not provide enough free care. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 attempted to address this type of issue by setting new rules for how nonprofit hospitals report its charity care. These new rules went into effect last year but have not been widely enforced. Here are some of the requirements:
- Nonprofit hospitals are prohibited from charging uninsured low-income payments higher rates than the lowest amounts billed to individuals with insurance.
- They must have a clearly written financial assistance policy describing who is eligible for free or reduced cost care.
- Extraordinary collections actions are not allowed against patients before determining whether the patient qualifies for financial assistance.
You can read the full story on NCPR's website.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Salvation Army To Announce NFL Draft Pick
The organization announced on its website today that Chief Communications Officer Major General George Hood will be announcing the Dallas Cowboy's fourth round draft pick tomorrow morning.
“This is a very exciting opportunity. A way to recognize the long-standing relationship between The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys,” said Major Hood. “It will certainly be an honor for me to announce the fourth round draft pick and on a personal note, should be a lot of fun!“
The Dallas Cowboys, who selected Louisiana State University's Corner Back Morris Claiborne in the Draft's first round last night, have supported the Salvation Army for 14 years in a number of ways. For instance, the team's Executive Vice President of Brand Management, Charlotte Jones Anderson, has served as the nonprofit's National Advisory Board Chairperson. She has also organized the annual Red Kettle Kickoff event at Cowboys stadium on Thanksgiving Day since 1998.
4th round draft choices don't exactly come with the hype of first or even second round picks but that doesn't mean the player chosen won't have an impact. After all, some guy named Tom Brady was the New England Patriot's sixth round draft pick in 2000.
You can read the full story on the Salvation Army's blog.
California Academy of Sciences Tops Most Expensive U.S. Museums
How would you like to spend $30 to go to a museum? That's the amount you will have to shell out if you want to enjoy the California Academy of Sciences.
The San Francisco, Calif.-based museum tops Consumer Search's top 20 most expensive museums in the U.S. Other institutions that made this dubious list were New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art ($25; recommended price), Boston's Museum of Fine Arts ($22), and Washington, D.C.'s International Spy Museum ($19.95).
Museums are mostly nonprofits and thus free from property taxes, which would lead the average citizen to believe they should be relatively cheap to enter. This seems like a rational thought, but there's a number of issues. The pieces that appear in these museums can sometimes go for millions of dollars and those prices have to be subsidized somehow. Museums also have legions of curators, art restorers, and researches on staff, and they don't come cheap either. Finally, government grants to museums have continually decreased in value, according to a study by USA Today.
There are ways to avoid these steep prices. Many of these museums allow visitors to purchase annual memberships which reduce the prices of tickets. There are also some institutions that have free admission on weekends and certain times. Yet D.C. seems to have the best deal: Most of the museums there, outside of the Spy Museum, are free. This includes the National Gallery of Art and the Air and Space Museum.
Want to see Consumer Search's full list? Head on over to their website and see which museums will cost you the most.
The San Francisco, Calif.-based museum tops Consumer Search's top 20 most expensive museums in the U.S. Other institutions that made this dubious list were New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art ($25; recommended price), Boston's Museum of Fine Arts ($22), and Washington, D.C.'s International Spy Museum ($19.95).
Museums are mostly nonprofits and thus free from property taxes, which would lead the average citizen to believe they should be relatively cheap to enter. This seems like a rational thought, but there's a number of issues. The pieces that appear in these museums can sometimes go for millions of dollars and those prices have to be subsidized somehow. Museums also have legions of curators, art restorers, and researches on staff, and they don't come cheap either. Finally, government grants to museums have continually decreased in value, according to a study by USA Today.
There are ways to avoid these steep prices. Many of these museums allow visitors to purchase annual memberships which reduce the prices of tickets. There are also some institutions that have free admission on weekends and certain times. Yet D.C. seems to have the best deal: Most of the museums there, outside of the Spy Museum, are free. This includes the National Gallery of Art and the Air and Space Museum.
Want to see Consumer Search's full list? Head on over to their website and see which museums will cost you the most.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
U.S. Senate Passes Postal Reform
The United States Senate voted yesterday to pass the Postal Reform Act. The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives where it awaits an uncertain fate.
As reported by The Washington Post, the Postal Reform Act will make sweeping reforms to the United States Postal Service (USPS). It would, among other things, permit the ending of Saturday mail deliveries in two years if the USPS determines it financially necessary, and would place restrictions on the amount of facilities that can be closed. For example, USPS cannot close a rural post office unless the next-nearest location is no more than 10 miles away. It would also maintain the current nonprofit postage rate.
The bill, passed 62 to 37, is meant to preserve the cash-strapped USPS. The organization has been on the verge of financial collapse for years, and it is no longer able to sustain delivery operations that still process 554 million pieces of mail a day. That is why the Postal Service has pushed to end Saturday mail. While the Senate version of the bill delays that decision, the House bill sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) would permit the USPS to immediately end Saturday deliveries. A strong majority of Republican representatives, including Issa, oppose the current Senate bill.
The House has until May 15, when the USPS will resume closing its facilities, to pass the bill. This is part of its plan to cut more than $22 million in costs by 2015. Direct mail has been in a decline in recent years as e-mail has increased in popularity. According to statistics from the Postal Service, only 168 million pieces of mail were delivered last year, compared to 202.8 billion a decade ago.
You can read the full story in The Washington Post.
As reported by The Washington Post, the Postal Reform Act will make sweeping reforms to the United States Postal Service (USPS). It would, among other things, permit the ending of Saturday mail deliveries in two years if the USPS determines it financially necessary, and would place restrictions on the amount of facilities that can be closed. For example, USPS cannot close a rural post office unless the next-nearest location is no more than 10 miles away. It would also maintain the current nonprofit postage rate.
The bill, passed 62 to 37, is meant to preserve the cash-strapped USPS. The organization has been on the verge of financial collapse for years, and it is no longer able to sustain delivery operations that still process 554 million pieces of mail a day. That is why the Postal Service has pushed to end Saturday mail. While the Senate version of the bill delays that decision, the House bill sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) would permit the USPS to immediately end Saturday deliveries. A strong majority of Republican representatives, including Issa, oppose the current Senate bill.
The House has until May 15, when the USPS will resume closing its facilities, to pass the bill. This is part of its plan to cut more than $22 million in costs by 2015. Direct mail has been in a decline in recent years as e-mail has increased in popularity. According to statistics from the Postal Service, only 168 million pieces of mail were delivered last year, compared to 202.8 billion a decade ago.
You can read the full story in The Washington Post.
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