Governor and First Lady’s Medals for Service Award Nominations Now Open 2/26/2010

Shine a spotlight on trailblazing individuals, businesses and nonprofits that are creating positive change throughout California. Nominate them for a Governor and First Lady's Medal for Service Award by March 31, 2010 in any of the following award categories: California's Volunteer of the Year; California's Small Business Volunteer Program of the Year; California's Business Volunteer Program of the Year; California Nonprofit of the Year; California's Service Group of the Year; California's AmeriCorps Member of the Year. To learn more or to submit a nomination, visit the Governor and First Lady's Medals for Service Page at: More Info...

Without a cash crunch, lawmakers opt to wait out fiscal crisis 2/25/2010

This week, the constitutional deadline for the California State Legislature to respond to the fiscal emergency declared by Gov. Schwarzenegger came and went. But Democratic leaders in both houses are slowing down new cuts to state services in hopes that the state's economy continues to improve and the need for cuts eases by this summer. More Info...

Legislative proposals cut budgets, increase nonprofit burdens 2/23/2010

Convened in a special fiscal emergency session, the state legislature is struggling through a package of bills designed to whittle California's $20 billion deficit by $5 billion. Several bills in the package would shift burdens to nonprofits and increase operating expenses, including plans to reduce the state government payroll by 5 percent and cut inmate health care costs as well as a measure that would require out of state online retailers such as Amazon.com to collect sales and use tax on items sold to California residents. More Info...

IRS urges to update nonprofit lobbing rules 2/17/2010

In the wake of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) has called on the IRS to simplify and update it's rules on charitable lobbying. According to CLPI President Larry Ottinger, "The current charitable lobbying and nonpartisan political engagement rules continue to create confusion, discourage permissible civic engagement and undermine government compliance and enforcement."
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Jobs bills may help nonprofits 2/12/10

The various jobs bills working their way through Congress as modifications of President Obama's small business tax credit proposal could help the nonprofit sector modestly. Citing an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, the Washington Insider blog suggests that the jobs bill will help firms add 80,000 to 180,000 new jobs between 2010 and 2011, of which 8,000 to 18,000 could be jobs in the nonprofit sector. More info...

Want to get involved with the Citizens Redistricting Commission? 2/9/10

Nonprofit organizations have a little more time to urge their members and communities to apply for the Citizens Redistricting Commission and get involved in the process, as California State Auditor Elaine Howle has extended the application deadline to February 16. For more information, membership requirements and to apply to the commission, visit www.WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov, or call (866) 356-5217.

Haiti Giving Incentives Questioned 2/4/10

California legislators are considering legislation (AB 347) with similar provisions for state taxes as a measure recently signed by the President that would allow charitable donors who make contributions (in cash, not in goods or services) for relief and redevelopment purposes in Haiti between January 11 and March 1 of 2010 to take their deductions on their 2009 federal tax returns rather than waiting for their 2010 filing. Although appealing at first glance, this kind of giving incentive raises a number of difficult policy questions. Read more...

Obama budget = good news + bad news for nonprofits 2/3/10

The $3.8 trillion federal budget that President Obama has proposed for 2011 seems to avoid major cuts in many social-service programs and adds money to some. At the same time, the President renewed his proposal to limit the value of charitable deductions for wealthy taxpayers in his proposed fiscal 2011 budget plan - refashioning it as a way to help provide tax relief to middle-income Americans. The proposal would limit to 28 percent the tax break couples earning $250,000 (or individuals earning $250,000) could get for their itemized deductions, including gifts to charity. Read More...

Plan proposes tax credit for new hires 2/2/10

As part of the President Obama's recent proposed job-creation plan, businesses and nonprofits would get a $5,000 tax credit for every new employee they hire in 2010. If a nonprofit or business increases the hours or wages of employees making less than $106,800, the employer would be reimbursed for the additional Social Security taxes incurred. The maximum benefit for any one employer would be capped at $500,000. The President's plan comes as Congress is considering other ways to support the nonprofit sector, which employs roughly 10% of the U.S. workforce. Last month, the Senate passed a health-care reform bill that would provide tax relief to help small employers - nonprofits and for-profits and for-profit businesses alike - offer health benefits to their employees. More info