Independent Sector Proposes Charity Reforms In Interim Report to Senate Finance Committee

Panel promises additional recommendations later; Grassley praises effort as beneficial

The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector convened by the Independent Sector held a joint appearance with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and released the Panel’s first set of recommendations on March 1, with Grassley praising the effort as helpful to the Committee.

The report covers much of the same ground as earlier comment drafts (See Nonprofit Issues, February 16-28, 2005), but leaves some issues unresolved and promises additional recommendations later in other areas.

The Interim Report covers 15 specific sets of recommendations for improving accountability and governance of charities.

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* Challenges to higher education, including federal taxes, unionization, new Title IX regulations, name, image and likeness issues, and challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
* Status of the new annual report requirement for Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations.
* Updates on charitable solicitation registration issues.
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* Special issues with charitable trusts, including one holding that many minor breaches of fiduciary duty can add up to a significant breach of duty.
* Other interesting cases, including one holding that donor lists are not trade secrets subject to protection from use by a former fundraiser.

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October 29, 2024

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Independent Sector Proposes Charity Reforms In Interim Report to Senate Finance Committee

Independent Sector Proposes Charity Reforms In Interim Report to Senate Finance Committee