The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, aka ACORN, was, until the past year, a relatively unknown organization to most Americans. Founded in 1970 and based in New Orleans, Louisiana, ACORN’s most visible face is that of a 501(c)(3) public charity ostensibly advocating for low- and moderate-income families in the areas of neighborhood safety, [...]
How Much Is Too Much? The Limits of Benevolence
The idea for this article came from my good friend, Belinda from Madison, Alabama. A few weeks ago, she wrote us an email asking the following: “Due to the economic downturn and, with the increasing requests for benevolence assistance, are there guidelines for churches and non-profits on what they can assist with and how much?” [...]
New Form 990 Problems Are Everywhere
If there is one constant in life, it’s change. And most people don’t do “change” very well…even the IRS! The new 2008 Form 990 is a complete, top-to-bottom overhaul of the form (as we’ve discussed in previous posts). As we talk with more and more clients/prospects, we’re really starting to see some trends develop…most of [...]
An Obituary for National Heritage Foundation?
On January 24, 2009, National Heritage Foundation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court. Is this the end for NHF? Read the Forbes story here National Heritage Foundation, NHF, was founded by J. T. “Dock” Houk as a 501(c)(3) fiscal agency for nonprofits using a donor-advised funds scheme. NHF operated under the premise [...]
US Bans Thrift Stores (updated)
Got your attention? Good…because what we’ve got to report on will shock you…and could have a devastating impact on some charities and the families that depend on them. Congress, in a stroke of genius that was too smart by half, passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in August 2008. It takes affect February 10, [...]
Pastors to Defy Ban on Political Endorsement
Mark your calendars! Sunday, September 28, 2008 has been declared “Pulpit Freedom Sunday”. Sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund, the Pulpit Initiative is a bold, stick-in-the-eye movement encouraging pastors to defy the ban on political endorsements by churches. “For so long, there has been this cloud of intimidation over the church,” ADF attorney Erik Stanley [...]
Thrift Store Redux – It’s Back!
Posted on September 18, 2009 by Greg McRay in Commentary, Hot Topics
In case you missed our blog about this story earlier in the year, the nanny-state strikes again. Back in January, we told you about a new consumer “protection” law, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, that was going into effect that would effectively put thrift stores out of business. Many retailers of second-hand items, including [...]