Although the donor-advised fund (DAF) has been around for many decades, this charitable-giving format has surged in popularity in recent years. Our recent post, “Donor-Advised Funds: An Alternative for High-Net-Worth Philanthropists,” provides an introduction to this timely topic. The DAF is a choice midway between an outright...
Section 501(c)(3) organizations enjoy lots of perks; most notably, relief from the federal income tax obligation. They are also eligible for government and foundation grants. Their donors benefit as well from valuable charitable tax deductions. There are others, including exemptions from sales and property taxes....
It’s that time of year again. You’re busy with holiday preparations and celebrations and, if you’re a key member of a nonprofit’s team, you’re keeping an eye on the December 31st deadline for prospective donors to support your group and be eligible for a tax...
It’s the joyous season of goodwill, good deeds and generosity. Just ahead of the December 31st deadline for tax-deductible contributions, your 501(c)(3) charity is no doubt eager to snag some of the dollars floating around to fund important projects in the new year. While you’re asking...
The Internal Revenue Service has been tinkering around with the rules about substantiating charitable donations of more than $250. The agency wants to know what you think - by December 16, 2015. “If It Ain't Broke, Don’t Fix It” The National Council of Nonprofits is leading the...
“High-net-worth folks,” we explained in an earlier post about family foundations, “have lots of choices about what to do with their money – including how to give it away.” The most popular option: Make a donation to one (or more) of the hundreds of thousands of...
High-net-worth folks have lots of choices about what to do with their money - including how to give it away. Many give outright, unrestricted contributions to existing public charities. Some make restricted gifts or create donor funds. Others are steered by professional and financial advisors toward...
It was a wild ride for California legislators this year. They faced a daunting, packed calendar of important bills on topics ranging from right-to-die to regulation of the state’s medical marijuana program to gender pay equality. It was a race against the clock, trying to...
Each year, California taxpayers have a happy decision to make when completing their state income tax returns. Since 2005, the state personal income tax form has included an option to donate $1 to worthy charities in the Golden State. Generous citizens have been doing just that,...
Fundraising is the lifeblood of 501(c)(3) charities. Whether an organization has an in-house development department or hires consultants, government regulators take a keen interest in the process and the results of soliciting charitable donations. Outside Solicitation Help In “Taking Fundraising Outside the Organization,” we introduced the California rules...