Protecting Nonprofit Rights

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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Preemptive Arrests at RNC Threaten Political Organization

Dec 16, 2008 by Kay Guinane

8 activists who helped organize demonstrations at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul have been charged with 4 felony counts and, if convicted, face over two decades in jail. These charges are establishing a dangerous precedent for restricting future political organization, demonstration and free speech. These arrests were prior to the September convention as an attempt to undermine anti-RNC protests in St. Paul. The 8 activists, now known as the RNC8, are being charged with:

Count 1 - conspiracy to riot in the second degree in furtherance of terrorism

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Texas GOP Attempts to Institute Voter ID Requirement

Dec 15, 2008 by Lateefah Williams*

Texas Republicans attempted to institute a voter ID requirement two years ago and failed. Now, according to the Houston Chronicle, they have renewed their efforts. The measure that failed two years ago "would have required voters to produce some type of photo ID before being allowed to cast ballots." It was approved in the House, but failed in the Senate.

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IRS to Look At 501(c)(4) Groups

Dec 12, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

According to BNA Money and Politics ($$), "new lawsuits could prompt the Court to reconsider key principles of [campaign finance] regulation, officials and private attorneys said at the annual conference of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL)." This statement references the Citizens United case that is expected to be argued in front of the Supreme Court this spring. The case challenges Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules requiring disclosure of those paying for electioneering communications.

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Calls for Grants Streamlining

Dec 12, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

The National Grants Partnership, (NGP) a coalition of government and nongovernment entities, released transition recommendations to improve the grants process. The NGP seeks to make agencies improve effectiveness of the use of grant funds and reduce burdens associated with grants administration. The document lays out three main recommendations. These include;

Expand the use and functionality of Grants.gov. This includes combining USASpending.gov into Grants.gov.
Consolidate and streamline the grants management structure.

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New Reports Covering Election Day

Dec 12, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

A new survey of 10,000 people conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology released by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that African-American voters waited to vote more than twice as long as others, and Hispanics were asked to show identification more often. Other problems included issues with absentee ballots, and inconsistent application of election laws.

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60 Years Later, Universal Declaration of Human Rights Endures

Dec 11, 2008 by Kay Guinane

The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sixty years ago on December 10, 1948. A revolutionary document in its scope and language, its impact on promoting and protecting human rights of every individual around the world cannot be understated. The 33 rights proclaiming all human beings are born with inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms is regarded as the cornerstone of governments, organizations and people working tirelessly to reduce or eliminate poverty, torture and slavery.

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American Foundations' International Grants On the Rise

Dec 9, 2008 by Kay Guinane

A new report finds that American foundations donated to international causes in 2007 more then ever before. The forecast for 2008 giving, despite the global economic downturn, is surprisingly optimistic. "International Grant Making IV: An Update on U.S. Foundation Trends" was co-produced by the Foundation Center and the Council on Foundations. The report found that American foundations gave an estimated $5.4 billion in 2007, up almost a half billion from 2006. International grants also saw a significant increase, up 50% from 2002.

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Interpal Nearing Forced Closure Due to Allegations

Dec 9, 2008 by Kay Guinane

Interpal, a UK based nonprofit, is facing being shut down after its bank was told to close its account by a major London clearing bank. Originally set for December 8, the deadline for closing the account has been extended to January 30, 2009. Interpal's bank, the Islamic Bank of Britain was notified by Lloyds TSB that all transactions of the charity were to cease due to ongoing allegations in the UK and the United State's inclusion of the charity on a terrorist related organization list from 2003.

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300,000 Sri Lankans Urgently Need Aid; Nonprofit Funds Seized by Government

Dec 9, 2008 by Kay Guinane

Amnesty International (AI) is calling for urgent humanitarian aid for more than 300,000 people displaced by the ongoing conflict in the northern Wanni region of Sri Lanka. Turmoil between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has left thousands of people, "in desperate need of shelter, food and sanitation."

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Supporting Advocacy; an Effective Strategy to Affect Policy

Dec 8, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

According to a press release from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), "foundations should turn to the underutilized strategy of supporting advocacy, organizing and civic engagement to be more effective at addressing social issues, recession or no recession." A new report from NCRP "Strengthening Democracy, Increasing Opportunities," found that "for every dollar invested in the 14 advocacy and organizing groups studied, New Mexico's residents reaped more than $157 in benefits."

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