Protecting Nonprofit Rights | Center for Effective Government

Massachusetts Court Awards Funding to Candidate

Update on MA Clean Elections Law

Debate Continues on Nonitemizer Deduction

Why do OMB Watch and the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities worry a proposed charitable tax incentive may not be a good idea? The President's budget proposes deep cuts in domestic programs. To learn more read the full story.

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HHS Seeks Comments On Compassion Capital Fund

This year's budget makes $30 million available to fund activities that assist faith and community based organizations, through the new Compassionate Capital Fund. HHS is seeking comments on guidelines for the program.

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Pew Forum Reviews First Year of White House Faith-Based Office

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published a review of the first year of operations of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, noting that regulatory changes may be its future focus. [Please take a moment to vote in our informal poll on churches and political activity]

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OMB Watch Letter to Chronicle on Philanthropy RE: Non-Itemizer Deduction

The following letter appeared in the Chronicle of Philanthropy in the issue dated March 7, 2002. To The Editor:

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Plan Submitted to Congress, But Implementation of Streamlining Law Slow

Agencies lag behind in developing uniform grant application and reporting procedures for federal grants.

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Grant Streamlining Law to Develop Uniform Procedures, Forms

In 1999 Congress passed the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999, requiring federal agencies to develop common grant application and reporting procedures. Many nonprofits are frustrated with the administrative burdens imposed on receipt of federal funds, including different reports to multiple agencies for essentially the same programs. Moreover, nonprofits are also frustrated with different types of grant application forms for essentially the same program or type of program. But help should be on the way.

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Agency Timeline for Implementation of Streamlining Law

Agencies Report to Congress on Plan to Implement Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999. Goals and timeline listed. Source: Report to Congress, May 2001 Goals · Reduce unnecessary burdens on applicants for and recipients of federal grants · Streamline and simplify federal grant reporting requirements and procedures to reduce burden on recipients and improve timeliness, completeness and quality of information collected · Streamline and simplify the payment process from agencies to grantees

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House Passes Shays-Meehan Bill 240-189

A substitute bill sponsored by Reps. Chris Shays (R-CT) and Marty Meehan (D-MA) passed the House of Representatives at 2:40 a.m. on February 14 by a vote of 240-189. 198 Democrats and 41 Republicans voted for the bill.

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Civil Rights Group Sets Long Term Campaign Finance Reform Goals

The California-based Greenlining Institute released recommendations for campaign finance reform from a civil rights perspective on February 12, the day the House of Representatives started debating the issue. Their recommendations are based on consultations with minority and low-income community leaders and a study of campaign contribution patterns in California. While some recommendations are addressed in pending campaign finance reform legislation, others are not, and will require a continued push for reform. The recommendations are:

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