Protecting Nonprofit Rights | Center for Effective Government

Census Amendment Stalls Appropriations Bill, LSC Funding

Civil rights groups are urging the Senate to reject a controversial amendment to the FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill (H.R. 2847) currently working its way through Congress. Sens. David Vitter (R-LA) and Robert Bennett (R-UT) have proposed the amendment, which is designed to cut off funding to the Census Bureau unless the 2010 Census survey includes a question regarding citizenship and immigration status. The amendment flap has delayed passage of the CJS legislation, which would, in part, increase funding and restore speech rights to Legal Services Corporation (LSC) grantees.

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October 15, 2009 Charity and Security Network Newsletter

Vol.1, Issue 19
Featured articles and blog commentaries (click on headline to read full article):
1. Updated: Summary and Analysis of KindHearts Ruling Requiring Due Process and Probable Cause to Shut Down Charities now Reviews Due Process Holdings
2. Time to Update Bush's EO 13224
3. Fact Sheet: The USA PATRIOT Act, Material Support and the Humanitarian Imperative: The Need for a Humanitarian Exemption
4. Comprehensive Summary and Analysis of Summary of KindHearts Ruling Requiring Due Process and Probable Cause to Shut Down Charities
5. Bitter Memories of 2001 Committee Work on PATRIOT Act Linger for Some in House
6. Provision that Criminalizes Conflict Resolution Training Ignored by Senate Committee

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EMILY’s List Decision May Impact Contribution Limits, Other Campaign Finance Cases

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued an opinion in EMILY’s List v. Federal Election Commission in September, striking down regulations that limited donations to nonprofit political action committees that are used for campaign activity. The regulations were intended to limit how certain nonprofit organizations raise and spend money for political campaigns.

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NCRP Report Confirms Return on Investment in Advocacy

New research from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), a national foundation watchdog organization, concludes that public policy work is an effective strategy to address societal issues. A majority of grantmakers have traditionally steered away from funding public policy, grassroots advocacy, and other civic engagement activities. However, studies continue to show that advocacy work is vital to advancing a nonprofit organization's mission. The NCRP finding that there is such a great return on investment in advocacy could resonate with funders.

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October 1, 2009 Charity and Security Network Newsletter

Vol.1, Issue 18
Featured articles and blog commentaries (click on headline to read full article):
1.   Supreme Court to Consider Whether Definition of Material Support Too Vague
2.   Expiring Provisions of Patriot Act under Review by Congressional Committees
3.   First U.S. Charities Gain Accreditation in Muslim Advocates Program
4.   Muslim Advocates Lawsuit Seeks FBI Surveillance Guidelines on Charities and Mosques
5.   Fusion Centers’ New Access to Military Intelligence
6.   President's Statement at End of Ramadan Recognizes Importance of Charities
7.   Why We Signed Comments Opposing USAID's Partner Vetting System by Nikhil Aziz, Ph.D. Exec. Dir. Grassroots International
8.   Accreditation Program for U.S. Muslim Charities Reduces Fear of Giving
9.   Treasury Data Shows Charities Not Significant Source of Terrorist Support
10. The Disconnect: U.S. Doesn't Follow the State Department's "Guiding Principles on Non-Governmental Organizations"
11. Study: Public Opinion Could Predict Terrorism

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Nonprofits Active in Efforts to Prevent Use of Courts to Discourage Public Participation

Nonprofit organizations have recently been active in efforts to prevent the use of lawsuits designed to discourage public participation. Nonprofits across the country have played a role in the campaign to eliminate Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). These efforts coincide with a pending legislative proposal to combat SLAPP suits on the federal level.

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White House Moves to Limit Lobbyists on Federal Advisory Committees

The White House announced Sept. 23 that it informed executive branch agencies and departments that federally registered lobbyists are not to be appointed to federal agency advisory boards and commissions. This is the latest attempt at removing the influence of federally registered lobbyists within the executive branch.

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September 15, 2009 Charity and Security Network Newsletter

Vol. 1, Issue 17
1. Summary Court's Ruling in KindHearts v. Treasury
2. Critics Object to Proposed “Watch List” Secrecy
3. Updated: Aid Workers Killed or Abducted Around the World in 2009

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Assessing the Impact of the Social Innovation Fund

The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) is the Obama administration’s major philanthropic effort, with the White House requesting $50 million for the program earlier in 2009. While it is clear that the administration is interested in innovation within the nonprofit sector, organizations are uncertain about how the program will impact their work.

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Supreme Court Rehears Citizens United Case; Decision Could Impact Nonprofits

Citizens United, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, developed and sought to run a film about candidate Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential primary. The group also wanted to promote the film with several ads. The highly critical movie was partially funded by corporate contributions, which the Federal Election Commission (FEC) said was a violation of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA). In a federal lawsuit recently reheard by the U.S. Supreme Court, Citizens United charges that ads for the film should not be subject to donor disclosure and disclaimer requirements and that the BCRA provisions enforced by the FEC are unconstitutional.

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