Donors Forum's Legislative Update E-Newsletters

Legislative Update April 2010 Issue II

• Updates from the Nation's Capitol 
• Council on Foundation's 2010 Legislative Agenda
• Updates from the State Capitol
• 2010 Census
• Articles, Reports and Resources
• Register Today!

Legislative Updates 2010 Issue I

• Federal Update - Healthcare Reform
• Education Stimulus Funding Update - Race to The Top
• Updates from the State Capitol
• Congratulations!
• Articles, Reports and Resources
• Register Today!

Legislative Updates 2009 Issue VI

• Senate Finance Committee Unveils Health Care Bill - America's Healthy Future Act of 2009
• IRS Updatess from the State Capito
• Updates from the State Capitol
• Articles and Reports
• Upcoming Programs

Legislative Updates 2009 Issue V

• UPMIFA to be Signed into Law
• Governor Doyle Signs Budget Bill
• Updates from the Nation's Capital
• Reports and Resources

Legislative Updates 2009 Issue IV

• White House Seeks $50 Million for 'Social Innovation'

Legislative Updates 2009 Issue III

• Federal Legislation Update
• The Impact of Obama's First 100 Days on Philanthropy
• Philanthropy Collaborating with Government
• IRS Releases Strategic Plan 2009-2013
• Demystifying UPMIFA: Legal and Accounting Issues Associated with UPMIFA Webinar

Legislative Updates 2009 Issue II

• Implications of President Obama's Budget Proposal for Charitable Giving
• Charities Say Government is Ignoring Then in Crisis
• Representative Pomeroy and Herger Reintroduce Public Good IRA Bill 
• IRS Exempt Organizations Division Announcements

Legislative Updates 2009 Issue I

• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Passes House and Senate
• Government Leaders Relevant to Philanthropic Sector
• The White House and Philanthropy
• IRS Annual Report and Fiscal Year 2009 Work Plan
• Resources for Evaluating Community Organizing
• Foundations on the Hill March 24-25, 2009

Legislative Updates 2008 Issue VI

• Milwaukee Native Paul Schmitz Among Leaders Advising Obama on Social Innovation/Civic Engagement
• President-Elect Obama and the Nonprofit Sector
• Gunderson: Americans are Charitable
• From the President's Office at GuideStar
• Effective Advocacy at All Levels of Government Online Guide
• IRS Updates: Mini-Courses on the New 990 and a Colleges and Universities Project
  

Legislative Updates 2008 Issue V

• IRS Revised Background and Background Documents for the New Form 990
• New Reporting "Process" of Determining Compensation
• An Updated Analysis of the 2008 Presidential Candidates' Tax Plans
• McCain, Obama to Make Joint Appearance for Volunteerism

Legislative Updates 2008 Issue IV

• CA Assembly Bill on Diversity Pulled
• Midwestern Tax Relief Ammendment in Senate
• Tax Extenders Packet in the Senate
• IRS Seeks Comments on Revisions to Form 990-EZ
• Lawmakers Discuss Changes to Rules Governing Some Gifts of Art
• Webinar on Emerging Trends in Governance for CEOs and Trustees 
  

Legislative Updates 2008 Issue III

• Annual Board To Do's
• IRS Releases New Draft Instructions for Form 990; Seeks Public Comments
• Senate Finance Committee Unveils Extenders Package; IRA Charitable Rollover Included
• Charities May Gain From Tax Plan
  

Legislative Updates 2008 Issue II

• Private Foundations: Review of the Self-Dealing Rules
• California Passes Foundation Disclosure Requirements
• House Proposes New Farm Bill; Senate Likely to Offer a Counterproposal
• IRS Announces Tax-Exempt Guidelines fpr Fiscal Year

Legislative Updates 2008 Issue I

• The New Form 990
• Senate Looking at Endowments as Tuition Rises
• IRS Tax-Exempt Guidelines for Fiscal Year 2008
• IRS Provides Guidance on Type III Supporting Organization
  

Legislative Articles

IRS Encourages Use of Governance Practices
The IRS has revised its document containing what it views as best governance practices for tax exempt organizations. Topics covered include everything from size and composition of governing bodies to review of financial statements and tax returns to public disclosure of policies on executive compensation, conflicts of interest, investments, fundraising, document retention and more. While the IRS recognizes that tax law does not mandate adoption of the practices, it also says that “a well-governed charity is more likely to obey the tax laws, safeguard charitable assets and serve charitable interests” than one that is poorly governed.

Pension Protection Act Impacts Grantmakers
The U.S. Congress passed HR 4, the Pension Protection Act that includes charity reforms and incentives in 2006. The major incentive included in the bill is a charitable IRA rollover of up to $100,000 to a tax-exempt organization.

Charitable Reform Legislation Passed
Several Provisions in H.R. 4 Effective Immediately Please be aware that several provisions of H.R. 4 take effect immediately upon enactment (the date the President signs the legislation) and a few are retroactive.