Nonprofits' Suit Opposes CFC Terrorist Watch List Policy

OMB Watch and 12 other nonprofits filed suit against the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) on Nov. 10, challenging their policy that requires participating charities to check their employees' names against government terrorist watch lists. The complaint, filed in the federal district court for the District of Columbia, charges the policy violates the First Amendment rights of participating charities and was made illegally in secret.

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OMB Watch Press Statement on Lawsuit Against the Combined Federal Campaign

Statement of Kay Guinane, Counsel and Manager of OMB Watch Nonprofit Advocacy Project, Nov. 10, 2004 OMB Watch has been promoting government accountability and civic participation for over 20 years. We believe nonprofits, like groups that receive donations from federal employees through the Combined Federal Campaign, have a vital place in communities and play a powerful role in reinforcing our democratic principles. We believe CFC's list checking policy is unreasonable and will not make America safer.

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Comments Needed on Alternative Guidelines to Prevent Terrorist Financing

A group of charitable and philanthropic organizations has released a draft "Principles of International Charity" that can be used to prevent diversion of charitable funds to terrorists. Both domestic and international nonprofits are being asked to comment on the draft, which is an alternative to the Dept. of Treasury's November 2002 guidelines. OMB Watch and other groups have called on Treasury to withdraw their guidelines .

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Draft Guidelines for Nonprofits to Prevent Diversion of Funds to Terrorists

Draft alternative to "Voluntary Best Practice Guidelines for Domestic Charities" published by Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control. You can submit comments to Kay Guinane online at http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/2431 or fax to 202/234-5150. 11/17/04 -- DRAFT: PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL CHARITY Preamble

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Text of Memo from National Combined Federal Campaign Committee

Text of memo from National Combined Federal Campaign Committee to Mara Patermaster, CFC Director, re "Proposed Certification on Terrorist Lists" August 2003

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Summary of Combined Federal Campaign Regulations

5 CFR Part 950- Solicitation of Federal Civilian and Uniformed Service Personnel for Contributions to Private Voluntary Organizations

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Terror Prevention and Nonprofits: CFC Policy Raises Concerns about Chilling Impact

The Director of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) announced July 31 that participating organizations have an affirmative obligation to check government terror watch lists in order to comply with a certification they are required to sign that they do not support terrorism. The statement prompted the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to withdraw from the fund.

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Charities Urge CFC: Change Misguided Terror List Rule

STATEMENT OF OMB WATCH: August 6, 2004
OMB Watch joins coalition of nonprofits in urging the Combined Federal Campaign to alter its new policy interpretation, which requires nonprofits to screen employees according to government blacklists and erodes basic democratic principles. Full statement (.pdf)Coalition list and release.

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Treasury Dept. Hosts Dialog on Terrorist Financing and Charities

Related Developments Senate Finance Committee leadership has written Treasury Secretary John Snow asking for details on their efforts to shut down sources of terrorist financing. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) asked for a response by May 17.

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