Handbook on Good Practices for Laws Relating to Non-Governmental Organizations

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Handbook on Good Practices for Laws Relating to Non-Governmental Organizations ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT WORK IN PROGRESS Public Disclosure Authorized HANDBOOK ON Public Disclosure Authorized GOOD PRACTICES FOR LAWS RELATING TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (DISCUSSION DRAFT] Public Disclosure Authorized Prepared for the World Bank by The International Center for Not-for-Profit law May 1997 Public Disclosure Authorized .& ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE ~ ~ DEVELOPMENTVICEPRESIDENCY THE WORLD BANK Ii!iIlIII == ============= ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS! GONGO Government-Organised NGO MBO Mutual Benefit Organisation NGO Non-Governmental Organisation PDO Public Benefit Organisation QUANGO Quasi-Non-Governmental Organisation VAT Value Added Tax ! Copies ofthe Discussion Draft are available from the World Bank's Environment Department, Social Policy and Resc:tt.lement Division (NGO Unit). HANDBOOK ON GOOD PRACTICES FOR LAWS RELATING TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1. Background to the World Bank's interest in NGOs 1 2. Background to the Handbook 4 3. Sources and Methodologies 6 Chapter A: The Relationship of NGOs to Society 9 1. Why Refonn Laws relating to NGOs 9 2. Reasons Why a Country Should want to have a Strong, Vigorous, and Independent NGO Sector 9 Chapter B: DefinitioWl and Terminology 19 1. Definitions and Terminology 19 (a) Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) 19 (b) Mutual Benefit vs. Public Benefit 22 (c) Membership and Non-membership Organizations 23 (d) Law 25 (e) Decree or Order 25 (f) Rule or Regulation 25 (g) Governing Documents 25 (h) Establishment 26 (i) Termination 28 (j) Liquidation 28 (k) Dissolution 28 (I) Board of Directors 28 (m) General Assembly ofMembers 29 (n) Endowment 29 (0) Subsidiary 29 (P) Affiliate 29 (q) Branch 29 (r) Tax Preference 30 Chapter C: Relationship of NGO Laws to Other Laws 31 2. Relationship ofLaws Governing NGOs to Other Laws in a Legal System 31 Chapter D: Legal Existence ofNGOs 34 3. Establishment (Registration or Incorporation) 34 4. Responsible Governmental Agency 41 5. Amendments to Established Status 44 ii 6. Amendment in the Event ofImpossibility 45 7. Public Registry 46 8. Mergers and Split-ups 47 9, Termination, Liquidation, and Dissolution 47 Chapter E: Structure and Governance 49 10, Minimum Requirements ofGoverning Documents 49 II. Optional Provisions and Special Requirements 50 12. Liabilities of Officers and Directors 50 13. Duties ofLoyalty, Diligence, and Confidentiality 51 14. Prohibition on Conflicts ofInterest 52 Chapter F: Prohibition on Direct or Indirect Private Benefits 54 15, Prohibition on the Distribution ofProfits 54 16, Prohibition on Private Inurement 54 17. Prohibition on Self-Dealing 56 18. Prohibition on the Reversion of Assets 58 Chapter G: Activities and Operations of NGOs 60 19. Economic Activities 60 20, Licenses and Permits 60 2 L Political Activities 61 Chapter H: Fund Raising 64 22, Solicitation - Limitations, Standards, and Remedies 65 Chapter I: Reporting 67 23. Internal Reporting and Supervision 69 24. Reporting to and Audit by Supervising Agency 70 25, Reporting to and Audit by Tax Authorities 74 26. Reporting to and Audit by Licensing Agencies 75 27. Reporting to Donors 75 28. Disclosure or Availability ofInformation to the Public 76 29. Special Sanctions 77 Chapter J: Taxation 79 30. Income Taxation Exemption ofNGOs 81 31. Income Tax Deductions or Credits for Donations 83 32. Taxation ofEconomic Activities 86 33. V AT and Customs Duties 87 34. Other Taxes 88 iii Chapter K: Foreign NGOs and Foreign Funds 90 35. Establishment and Supervision ofForeign NGOs 90 36. Foreign Funding 92 Chapter L: Other GOINGO Relations 95 37. QUANGOs and GONGOs 9S 38. Governments Grants and Contacts 96 39. Transfer ofAssets and Services out ofthe Public Sector 96 Chapter M: Self-Regulation 99 40. Self-regulation 100 iv APPENDICES Appendix I: Economic Activities and Taxation 103 A discussion ofeconomic activities ofNGOs and taxation of income from such activities. Appendix H: Report of the Working Group on Self-Regulation 110 This report was adopted by the Conference on Regulation Civil Society held in Sinai, Romania, May 12-15, 1994. Itwasallended by representatives ofmore than 100 NGOs throughout Central Europe. The Report sets out recommendationsfor self-regulation by NGOs in seven different areas (governance, organizational integrity, management practices and human resources,finances, communications to the public, fundraising, andprogram), and also contains recommendations for the role ofumbrella organizations in setting and enforcing self-regulatory standards for groups of NGOs. This report contains a useful listing ofwhat can be accomplished through self-regulation Appendix ID: Charity Accounts - The New Framework 114 This pamphlet published by the Charity Commission ofEngland and Wales describes different reporting requirements for charities, depending on size. Appendix IV: Statement of Purpose and Standards of National Philanthropy orthe National Charities Information Bureau (NCffi) 119 NCIB is a U.S. watchdog organization that has been evaluating US NGOs for 77 years. The purpose ofNCIB is to promote informed giving by prOViding information to the public about whether large US charities that regularly seek public support meet NCIB standards in nine areas (board governance, purpose, programs, information, finanCial support and related activities, use offunds, annual reporting. accountability, and budget). Appendix V: NGO Acronyms 125 This list ofvarious acronyms by which NGOs are known around the world was compiled by Adil Nqjam. Appendix VI: Contributors 126 A list ofindividuals whose work or personal contributions have aided the development ofthis Handbook. HANDBOOK ON GOOD PRACTICES FOR LAWS RELATING TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Introduction. 1. Backgroynd to the World Bank's interest in NGOs. The World Bank, in common with other development agencies, has become increasingly interested in the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) over the past decade. The proportion of Bank-financed projects which involved NGOs in one role or another increased from an average of 6% from FY73 to FY88 to 48% in FY96. 1 While early NGO involvement was mostly oriented to more cost-effective or more poverty-targeted service delivery, and was often a very minor aspect of the project in question, in more recent years NGO roles have both widened and deepened. This diversification of roles was described first in 1989 in the Bank's Operational Directive on NGOs.2 Subsequent Bank policies stressed the important contribution of NGOs to issues relating to indigenous peoples, resettlement, poverty reduction, and gender.3 This enhanced collaboration (involving, as it does, the government in question) has enabled the Bank to identify important NGO contributions to development beyond their capacity to deliver services. Some NGOs have important specialist knowledge, for example regarding environmental issues. Some NGOs work in close partnership with poor communities and are able both to help foster participatory development approaches and to identify priority concerns of poor people. Other NGOs help strengthen civil society through informing and educating the public, for example concerning their legal rights or entitlements to services or by helping attune government policies and practices to the needs of poor citizens. This diversity has led to expanded forms of cooperation between the Bank and NGOs including government-Bank-NGO collaboration in projects.' It has also contributed to the Bank's policies regarding 1 Cooperation between the Wodd Bank and NGOs • FY96 Progress Report (199D. 2 Operatjonal Directiye 14.7Q. "Involving NGOs in Bank-Supported Actiyities," August 1989. 3 Ibrahim Shihata, The World Bank in a Changing World, Vol. II, Chapter 6, The World Bank end NGOs,1995. • Carmen Malena, WOrking with NGOs: A Practical Guide to Operational Collaboration between the World Bank and NGOs, 1995. DISCUSSION DRAFT 2 information disclosure and public consultation.' For example, in the preparation of Environmental Assessments (required for all projects which potentially have a major environmental impact), the Bank requires "meaningful consultation between borrowers and affected groups and local NGOs,· based on timely public disclosure of relevant information.6 Based on its own experience, the Bank strongly advises governments to involve NGOs in the preparation of National Environmental Action Plans and in designing poverty reduction programs. For this reason the Bank further "encourages govemments to be responsive to NGOs that request information or raise questions about Bank-supported activities".' Involvement of NGOs in Bank-supported activities is also a primary way of achieving participatory development, which has been proven by experience to help attain the Bank's goals of economic and social development. Participation is the term used by the Bank to describe the process by which stakeholders in development - the Bank, the borrower, and those who are directly or indirectly affected by a development project - influence and share control over development initiatives, and the decisions and resources that affect them.8 The Bank also advocates participatory approaches to government in the design as well as implementation of the projects it finances, on the ground that this enhances development effectiveness.9 In order for the Bank to be able to work effectively with NGOs, and to benefit fully from the contributions they can potentially make to successful development, it is essential in any particular country in which the Bank
Recommended publications
  • Audit Technique Guide – Fundraising Activities
    Audit Technique Guide – Fundraising Activities Introduction This guide addresses examining tax exempt organization fundraising and provides: Background information Audit guidelines Audit techniques Audit procedures This guide is not all-inclusive and doesn’t intend to limit agents to identifying issues or using techniques not listed in this guide. For information on fundraising issues involving political organizations, see the Audit Technique Guide for Political Organizations. For information on fundraising issues involving gaming activities, see the Audit Technique Guide for Organizations Conducting Gaming Activities. This manual is organized into five sections: Background information Activities (professional fundraisers, fundraising events, internet fundraising) Records (solicitations, disclosures, cash contributions, non-cash contributions) Reporting (Form 990-EZ, Form 990: Core Return, Schedule G, Schedule M, Form 990-PF, Form 990-T) Audit procedures (pre-audit, field/OCEP, penalty considerations, case closing) Background Most, if not all, tax exempt organizations need money. Many exempt purposes can only be achieved via the application of money. Thus, large numbers of organizations devote significant resources to acquiring money. These organizations use various methods to obtain funds, ranging from selling a product or service, conducting a fundraising event, to just asking for money. Traditional methods of obtaining funds include soliciting donors via the mail, phone calls, newspapers, radio, television, and now via the Internet. Organizations have become creative over the years, conducting activities and events, such as the sales of foodstuffs, car washes, raffles, casino nights, auctions, and pledge drives, evolving towards more sophisticated ways to fundraise, such as targeting solicitations, using patronage levels, crowd-funding, and tax planning, such as conservation easements, lending arrangements, and charitable gift annuities.
    [Show full text]
  • Volunteering Policy
    My Volunteering Policy The purpose of this policy is to outline the opportunities and procedures for Thomson Reuters employees to engage in community volunteering activities. By allowing all regular employees time off to volunteer, Thomson Reuters can continue to invest in its local communities, and have a meaningful impact on the world around us one community at a time. Thomson Reuters encourages employees from across the business to take part in volunteering activities with recognized charities and community organizations including accredited schools. To enable this we offer all regular full-time and part-time employees* time off with pay for at least 2 days or 16 hours per calendar year (pro-rated for part-time staff). *Part-time employees are eligible if their regularly scheduled hours are 20 or more per week. Multiply the number of hours worked in a day by two; the result is the annual number of hours eligible for paid time off to volunteer (4 hours a day x 2 = 8 hours a year). GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERING Volunteering during working hours is at your manager’s discretion and subject to the needs of the business. You should obtain your manager’s approval to use paid time off to volunteer and then log your paid volunteer hours into My Community. For full details of how to apply for volunteering, read our My Volunteer FAQ in My Community. RECOGNIZED CHARITIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Through this policy and our programs we support organizations that are registered as a charity not-for-profit or tax exempt organizations and accredited schools.
    [Show full text]
  • Eight Mechanisms That Drive Charitable Giving René Bekkers
    Eight Mechanisms That Drive Charitable Giving* René Bekkers and Pamala Wiepking An overwhelming body of knowledge is available on philanthropy in the social sciences. Research on philanthropy appears in journals from very different disciplines. We present an overview of research on determinants of charitable giving from all disciplines. Why Do People Give? Experiments in economics, sociology, social psychology, biology, and marketing have shown how situations can be created that encourage giving. The situations in these experiments are created by researchers, which allows for causal inferences about determinants of giving. From these experiments, conclusions can be drawn about why people give. We reviewed this literature and identify eight mechanisms as the key mechanisms that have been studied as determinants of philanthropy. They are (a) awareness of need; (b) solicitation; (c) costs and benefits; (d) altruism; (e) reputation; (f) psychological benefits; (g) values; (h) efficacy. Below we present the eight mechanisms that drive giving. The order in which the eight mechanisms are presented does not reflect the importance or causal strength of the mechanisms. Rather, the order corresponds to the chronological order in which they affect giving in the typical act of donation. For each mechanism, we present the main effect. In many cases, these main effects can be moderated (or sometimes mediated) by other factors. Moderating factors are factors that weaken or strengthen the effect of the mechanism: conditions or personal characteristics that interact with the main effect. Mechanism 1: Awareness of Need Awareness of need is a first prerequisite for philanthropy. People have to become aware of a need for support.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Qualifying Charitable Organizations for 2019
    LIST OF QUALIFYING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS FOR 2019 ―Qualifying organizations for cash donations made between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019― QCO Code Name of Organization Address URL* Phone # 20266 1st Way Pregnancy Center PO Box 5294, Phoenix, AZ 85016 URL (602) 261-7522 20135 4Freedom, Inc. dba Sold No More PO Box 68888, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 URL (520) 917-6528 20075 A New Leaf, Inc. 868 E University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85203 URL (480) 969-4024 20920 Abaka Developmental Preschool & Childcare Foundation 6620 W Shaw Butte Drive, Glendale, AZ 85304 URL (602) 677-2968 20732 Abide Maternity Home 499 2nd Street, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 URL (928) 202-9402 20090 Ability360 5025 E Washington Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85034 URL (602) 256-2245 21983 Abounding Service 4573 W Dublin Street, Chandler, AZ 85226 URL (480) 229-8842 20643 About Care PO Box 3278, Tempe, AZ 85244 URL (480) 802-2331 20317 ACCEL - Arizona Centers for Comprehensive Education and Life Skills 10251 N 35th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85051 URL (602) 995-7366 22017 AccessMed Foundation (formerly Medicare Planning Solutions) 6930 E Chauncey Lane, Ste. 200, Phoenix, AZ 85054 URL (602) 375-2414 20795 ACHIEVE Human Services, Inc. 3250-A East 40th Street, Yuma, AZ 85365 URL (928) 341-0335 20475 Addicted Nation Solutions (formerly Women in New Recovery) 860 N Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201 URL (480) 464-5764 22056 Addiction Haven 1164 W Macaw Drive, Chandler, AZ 85286 URL (480) 277-3408 20050 Adelante Healthcare 9520 W Palm Lane, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85037 URL (623) 583-3001 20249 Administration of Resources and Choices 3003 S Country Club Road, Suite 219, Tucson, AZ 85713 URL (520) 623-9383 21023 Adopt a Vet Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Section 501 on the Ground That All of Its Profits Are Payable to One Or More Organizations Exempt from Taxation Under Section 501
    F. IRC 502 - FEEDER ORGANIZATIONS 1. Introduction An organization described in IRC 502 does not qualify for exemption under any paragraph of IRC 501(c). The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the basic issues presented by IRC 502, to explain how it should be interpreted and applied, and to consider the amount of unrelated business activity that an exempt charitable organization may engage in. IRC 502 provides that an organization operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business for profit shall not be exempt under IRC 501 on the ground that all of its profits are payable to one or more organizations exempt under IRC 501. 2. Purpose of Feeder Provisions A brief consideration of the reasons for the enactment of IRC 502 provides some insight as to how it should be interpreted. There was growing concern, particularly after World War II, about the increasing amount of business activities carried on by exempt organizations, particularly, charitable organizations. In a series of cases involving taxable years prior to 1951, certain organizations popularly called "feeder organizations" were held exempt from federal income tax under the predecessor to IRC 501(c)(3), even though their sole activity was engaging in commercial business, and the only basis for exemption was the fact their profits were payable to specified exempt organizations. See Roche's Beach, Inc. v. Commissioner, 96 F. 2d 776 (1938); C. F. Mueller Company v. Commissioner, 190 F. 2d 120 (1951). The courts held that the exclusive purpose required by the statute was met when the only object of the organization was religious, scientific, charitable, or educational, without regard to the method of obtaining funds necessary to effectuate the objective.
    [Show full text]
  • Piton Wealth Raises Over $5,000 at Benefit Concert with Singer-Songwriter James Lanman ______
    PITON WEALTH RAISES OVER $5,000 AT BENEFIT CONCERT WITH SINGER-SONGWRITER JAMES LANMAN _____________________________________________________________________ 16 July 2019 (KENNEWICK, WA) For two decades Michelle Clary and her team have operated in wealth management in the Tri-Cities, first as an affiliate practice of Fortune 500 company Thrivent Financial and as of 2018, the CEO and founder of Piton Wealth. It isn’t difficult to see how Clary and her team have consistently ranked in the upper 1% of Thrivent practices in client satisfaction. Taking an active role in the local community and bringing people together for a good cause seems to be second nature for a company that revolves so heavily around encouraging clients to thrive both personally and professionally. In 2017, Michelle and her husband Andy opened their home to singer-songwriter James Lanman who was on a living room concert tour across the US and Canada, where he performed for a mix of their clients and friends. The following year, Michelle had the idea to leverage the draw of live music, food from local eatery, Porter’s Real BBQ, and their expansive network by turning it into a fundraiser. Teaming up with Lanman to sell tickets to his performance at their home, Piton Wealth then matches all ticket sales from the concert to raise money for the Tri-County Habitat for Humanity branch, where Andy also serves on the board. They also have a tradition of a side contest where guests bring their A-game side dishes and judges select the top 3 winners. Now in its third year, what has affectionately become known as “Kennewoodstock” between Lanman and Clary, has become quite the event.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Understanding the Critical Section
    Understanding the Critical Section 509(a) Classification for Auxiliary Organizations Each auxiliary organization should have an IRS tax-exemption determination letter that the entity is an IRC §501(c)(3) – as a charitable organization -- and classifying it into one of the three (3) “public charity” subsets under Section §509(a).1 The §509(a) subset is where the Internal Revenue Code defines a “private foundation” by listing entities that are not private foundations. Under §509(a), an organization is presumed to be a private foundation unless it can prove that it is a public charity based upon its activities. The §509(a) subset classification typically is set when the organization applies for tax-exempt status. But reclassifications can occur with the filing of a change on the IRS Form 990, or as a result a perceived change in the role/function of the organization. Each §509(a) subset involves certain qualification “tests” and the subsets are not necessarily mutually exclusive – that is an organization might fit within any one of the three subsets. Section 509(a)(1) “publicly supported organizations” are the most common “public charities.” They typically include educational organizations, churches, hospitals, and public institutions, or organizations for the benefit of colleges and universities. The qualifying test for a 509(a)(1) organization is that it must receive a substantial part (receive at least one-third) of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public, and be organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and make expenditures to or for the benefit of a governmental unit.
    [Show full text]
  • Charitable Gift Fund User's Guide
    CHARITABLE GIFT FUND USER’S GUIDE CHARITABLE GIFT FUND USER'S GUIDE Thank you for your interest in Anabaptist Foundation’s Charitable Gift Fund (CGF) Program. We have collected the most frequently asked questions about our Charitable Gift Fund in this User's Guide, and arranged them by topic. This information will help you understand how Charitable Gift Funds may and may not be used to support churches and charities. TABLE OF CONTENTS CGF OVERVIEW PURPOSE OF THE CHARITABLE GIFT FUND PROGRAM WHAT IS A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND? .......................................................................................... PAGE 1 WHY DO WE OFFER A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND PROGRAM? ............................................................. PAGE 1 ARE GIFTS TO CHARITIES AND CHURCHES SENT ANONYMOUSLY? ....................................................... PAGE 1 HOW DOES A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND ACCOUNT SIMPLIFY GIVING? ................................................... PAGE 1 A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND ACCOUNT MAKES A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME GIFT EASY TO ADMINISTRATE ........... PAGE 2 OPENING A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND ACCOUNT WHO MAY OPEN A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND ACCOUNT? .................................................................. PAGE 2 HOW DO I OPEN A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND ACCOUNT? .................................................................. PAGE 2 IS THERE A MINIMUM AMOUNT NEEDED TO OPEN A CHARITABLE GIFT FUND ACCOUNT? ....................... PAGE 2 HOW OFTEN MAY I MAKE DONATIONS TO MY CHARITABLE GIFT FUND ACCOUNT? ..............................
    [Show full text]
  • Registered Charity Vs. Non-Profit Organization
    Fast Facts Registered Charity vs. Non-Profit Organization Registered charities are often referred to as non-profit organizations (NPOs). However, while both types of organizations operate on a non-profit basis, the two types are defined differently under theIncome Tax Act. Topics Registered Charity NPO Must be established and operate • Can operate for social welfare, civic exclusively for charitable purposes improvement, pleasure, sport, recreation, or any Purposes • relief of poverty other purpose except profit. • advancement of education • Cannot operate exclusively for charitable • advancement of religion purposes. • purposes beneficial to the community Must apply to the Canada Revenue No registration process for income tax Registration Agency (CRA) and be approved for purposes. registration as a charity. Charitable Is issued a charitable registration Is not issued a charitable registration number. Registration Number number upon approval by the CRA Can issue official donation receipts Cannot issue official donation receipts for Tax Receipts for income tax purposes. income tax purposes. Must spend a minimum amount on its Spending Requirement own charitable activities or as gifts Not applicable (Disbursement Quota) to qualified donees. Is designated by the CRA as a Designation charitable organization, a public Does not receive a designation. foundation or a private foundation. Must file annual information return May have to file a T2 return (if incorporated), Returns (Form T3010) within six months of its and/or an information return (Form T1044) fiscal period end. within six months of its fiscal period end. Personal Benefits to Cannot use its income to personally Cannot use its income to personally benefit its Members benefit its members.
    [Show full text]
  • Disentangling the Signaling Benefits of Altruistic Acts
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Fehrler, Sebastian; Przepiorka, Wojtek Working Paper Charitable giving as a signal of trustworthiness: Disentangling the signaling benefits of altruistic acts IZA Discussion Papers, No. 7148 Provided in Cooperation with: IZA – Institute of Labor Economics Suggested Citation: Fehrler, Sebastian; Przepiorka, Wojtek (2013) : Charitable giving as a signal of trustworthiness: Disentangling the signaling benefits of altruistic acts, IZA Discussion Papers, No. 7148, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/69483 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von
    [Show full text]
  • A More Charitable Charity: Administrative Necessity Provides an Opportunity to Promote Altruism in Charities
    University of Tennessee Law Legal Scholarship Repository: A Service of the Joel A. Katz Library UTK Law Faculty Publications 12-2016 A More Charitable Charity: Administrative Necessity Provides an Opportunity to Promote Altruism in Charities Eric Franklin Amarante Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.law.utk.edu/utklaw_facpubs Part of the Law Commons A MORE CHARITABLE CHARITY: ADMINISTRATIVE NECESSITY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE ALTRUISM IN CHARITIES Eric Franklin* ABSTRACT The law of charities governs an absurdly wide-ranging field of organizations. A small group of antiquated statutes purport to govern a diversity of entities that range from hospitals worth millions of dollars to purely volunteer-run organizations that provide free childcare. Given the expansive nature of the law of charities, perhaps it is understandable that the law lacks a coherent guiding principle. This alone would not be problematic if not for the fact that most tax-exempt organizations do not comport with the general public’s idea of charity. An intuitive definition of charity relies upon a lack of self-regard. In other words, charity requires some level of altruism. But many charities pay lavish salaries and some are major players in the crass commercialism of the private market; such activities are far from any reasonable definition of altruism. Thus, to the extent that we expect charitable organizations to exhibit some level of altruism, the concept of charity has been stretched to a level that is almost unrecognizable. In addition to diluting the concept of charity, the over-inclusive nature of tax-exempt law resulted in an unreasonable administrative burden for the IRS.
    [Show full text]
  • Glossary of Fundraising Terms
    GLOSSARY OF FUNDRAISING TERMS accountability The responsibility of the donee organization to keep a donor informed about the use that is made of the donor ’ s gift as well as the cost of raising it. acknowledgment Written expression of gratitude for gift or service. acknowledgment letter A letter sent by a donee, or on behalf of a donee, to the donor, expressing appreciation for a gift and identifying the use that will be make of the gift. An acknowledgment letter may be a form letter, but it is usually personalized. acquisition mailing (or prospect mailing) A mailing to prospects to acquire new members or donors. advance gifts Gifts given or pledged in advance of a public announcement of a campaign. Advance gifts are solicited before a campaign is announced because the success or failure of a campaign may depend on the size of the advance gifts. advisory board A group of infl uential and prominent individuals whose association with a development program is calculated to lend luster and implied endorsement of the program ’ s goals and objectives. Source: Principles and Techniques of Fund Raising (Indianapolis: The Fund Raising School, 2009b). Glossary of Fund Raising Terms (Alexandria, VA: Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2003). Copyright © 2010, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from AFP. 463 bbgloss.inddgloss.indd 446363 110/5/100/5/10 110:13:540:13:54 AAMM 464 Glossary of Fundraising Terms analysis That section of a study that deals with the factors essential to success in a fundraising program; principally the case for support, leadership potential, and fi elds of support.
    [Show full text]