Dec 21, 2004 · The Job. Terry Knowles has been the Registrar of Charitable Trusts with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office since 1981. In describing the role of her office she says, “The Attorney General has held the common law authority to regulate charities and to protect charitable assets for over four hundred years.
The Attorney General has a duty to protect the public’s interest in the charitable assets held by nonprofit corporations. In response to the many difficult questions confronting the boards of charitable organizations today, the Attorney General’s office is offering this guide to assist you in your efforts to better serve your organizations. This guide presents general
California Regulations on Nonprofit Corporations Relating to Transactions Requiring Notice to or Approval by Attorney General - Title 11, Chapter 15, sections 999.1-999.5, pdf. California Regulations on Administrative Enforcement of the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act – Title 11, Division 1, Chapter 15 ...
28 Liberty Street. New York, NY 10005. (212) 416-8400. For information concerning registration of professional fund raisers, fund raising counsel and professional solicitors, contact: Department of Law. Charities Bureau. The Capitol. Albany, NY. (518) 486 …
nonprofit corporation may elect to have shareholders. If a nonprofit corporation chooses to have shareholders, the fact that the corporation is organized on a stock share basis must be clearly denoted in its Articles of Incorporation. The bylaws should describe the denominations in which shares will be issued and the shares should be evidenced by share certificates. The face of each share certificate must contain a conspicuous statement that the corporation for which it is issued is a nonprofit corporation.
The bylaws of a nonprofit organization should be written carefully and clearly. Bylaws provide the framework for governance and management of the nonprofit organization. Bylaws regulate the conduct of all members of the nonprofit organization. Generally, bylaws dictate:
Property committed to charitable purposes has special protection under the law because it relieves the public burden by advancing one or more general or specific charitable causes. As soon as money or property is donated or committed to a charitable purpose, the Attorney General acts on behalf of the public’s interest to ensure it is duly administered; including the assets held by nonprofit organizations formed for charitable purposes.
In Pennsylvania, the format and contents of Articles of Incorporation are governed by the Nonprofit Law which sets forth the specific provisions or requirements that must be met. When forming a nonprofit corporation, it is advisable to engage an attorney to review the law and assist in drafting the Articles. Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the Department of State. Generally, Articles of Incorporation must contain information including, but not limited to, the following:
The law’s application is not limited to entities that are tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which pertains to charities. With certain limited exceptions, the law applies to any person holding money or property for charitable purposes. This includes entities that are tax exempt under other subsections of section 501 ...
Corporations Code section 5212 provides that the board may appoint one or more committees that, to the extent provided by resolution of the board or in the bylaws (and with certain reservations), shall have all the authority of the board.
The Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts (Registry) regulates charities and other nonprofit organizations by administering the registration and reporting requirements in the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Gov. Code, § 12580 et seq.), and its regulations. The Registry does this through its various programs: Initial Registration, Registration Renewals, Delinquency, Dissolution, Commercial Fundraising, Raffles, Complaints, and Administrative. The Registry also maintains a searchable database for the public to research registered charitable organizations and fundraising professionals.
When charitable organizations retain independent contractors, additional legal requirements arise from these arrangements. As with any contract, it is good practice to put such agreements in writing so both parties are clear on the scope of the agreement, and to minimize misunderstandings.
Even if the organization fails to be recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS, the funds must be used for charitable purposes and cannot be refunded to the donors.
Even when a charitable organization’s revenue is exempt from paying federal and state taxes, the income paid to staff as wages generally are subject to taxes. As a result, when tax-exempt organizations pay their staff, they are obligated to report that income, and make tax and withholding payments to federal and state governments.
Legally, a charitable organization is treated like any other employer . To promote evenhanded personnel practices and avoid misunderstandings with employees (which can lead to lawsuits), it is a best practice to put personnel policies in writing. The organization’s personnel policies should include policies pertaining to:
The goal of this review is to ensure charitable assets are not being diverted for private gain.
Whether the charitable organization can look to its insurance carrier to defend the action depends on the type of insurance coverage purchased. A “general liability” insurance policy may provide for legal assistance, but may exclude coverage for employment matters.
Specifically, directors owe a fiduciary duty to the nonprofit to act in good faith, with care, loyalty, obedience, and honesty in fact, and in the best interests of the organization, among other things. Minnesota courts have long held that the law imposes the highest standard of integrity on the bearers of these duties.
Most nonprofits are exempt from taxa tion. There are more than two dozen different types of tax exemptions under the Internal Revenue Code, with exemption under section 501 (c) (3) being the most well-known. The IRS grants, oversees, and may revoke a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status. For more information about the IRS’s general oversight ...
Stat. ch. 317A. A nonprofit corporation’s purpose and activities must serve the organization’s mission to benefit the public, and may not be operated to profit other persons or entities.
There are more than two dozen different types of tax exemptions under the Internal Revenue Code, with exemption under section 501 (c) (3) being the most well-known. The IRS grants, oversees, and may revoke a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status. For more information about the IRS’s general oversight of nonprofits and federal tax issues affecting ...
The IRS grants, oversees, and may rev oke a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status. For more information about the IRS’s general oversight of nonprofits and federal tax issues affecting nonprofits, you may visit the IRS’s Charities & Nonprofits webpage.
Nonprofit officers also play a critical role in implementing and carrying out the organization’s mission. Officers are responsible to the nonprofit’s board of directors. Officers carry out the board’s decision and directives, and are generally more involved in the day-to-day operations and business of the nonprofit.
Directors are responsible for the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and strong board oversight is critical to the proper operation of the organization. Directors must supervise and govern the charity’s efforts in carrying out its mission. This does not mean that directors are required to manage the day-to-day activities ...
A public benefit corporation is formed for the public’s benefit; it is typically a 501 (c) (3) . Corporate filing tips can be found here. • Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Religious Corporation - This form can be filed as the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. Corporate filing tips can be found here.
With more than 10,000 members, CalNonprofits is a voice for nonprofits to government, the philanthropic community, and the general public. In addition, CalNonprofits provides resources such as this Compliance Checklist in the space where government and nonprofits meet.
Nonprofit with gross receipts of more than $50,000 in the year must file the Exempt Organization Annual Information Return ( FTB Form 199) ( Instructions ) – This is the State of California’s annual return, and because of legislation we supported in 2020, there is no fee for filing this form.
This form must be filed on or before the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of your organization’s fiscal year (for example, if the year ends December 31, the form is due no later than May 15). Private foundations are required to file Form 199 regardless of the gross receipts amount.
The form must be filed on or before the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of the organization’s taxable year ( e.g., if the year ends December 31, the form is due no later than May 15); extended due dates are not applicable. If you are a private foundation, you must file Form 990PF.
If you have unrelated business income, file Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return (Form 990-T) ( Instructions ) – Form 990-T is used by a tax-exempt organization to report unrelated business income if it has gross income of $1,000 or more from a regularly conducted unrelated trade or business.
Financial Management Guide for Nonprofit Organizations offers practical information for grantees on what is expected by the federal government in terms of financial accountability. It includes descriptions of the expectations for financial reporting and internal control procedures (The National Endowment for the Arts, Office of the Inspector General).
“Internal controls” are financial management practices that are systematically used to prevent misuse and misappropriation of assets, such as occur through theft or embezzlement.
The top priority for any nonprofit is to put in place at least the basic internal controls that address who has access to the nonprofit’s bank accounts, and who has authority to spend money on the nonprofit’s behalf , whether via check, cash, credit card, or some other means.
“Internal controls” are financial management practices that are systematically used to prevent misuse and misappropriation of assets, such as occur through theft or embezzlement. Internal controls are generally described in written policies that set forth the procedures that the nonprofit will follow, as well as who is responsible. The goal of internal controls is to create business practices that serve as “checks and balances” on staff (and sometimes board members) and/or outside vendors, in order to reduce the risk of misappropriation of funds/assets.
Nonprofits are required to account for functional expenses – program services and general/administration & fundraising (often referred to as “overhead”). While lower overhead expenses may sound better to donors, this emphasis is destabilizing and unsustainable. Make the case by reframing from “overhead” to “infrastructure” or “Core Mission Support.”
It is essential that organizations understand the real costs of their programs in order to make decisions about fundraising needs, contract terms, and program expansion or modification.