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June 2003 |
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What’s New at the Pro Bono Partnership The Partnership warmly welcomes Tatyana Golynker and Jennifer Olland as our new Administrative Assistants. Tatyana works in the White Plains office, and Jennifer works in the Newark office. |
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Partnership Seeking Additional Staff Attorney There is an opening for a staff attorney in our New Jersey office. Please contact the Partnership if you are interested in learning more about this unique job opportunity for an attorney admitted to the Bar in New Jersey. |
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New Publications posted on the Pro Bono Partnership Website
Military Leave: When one of your employees is called to active duty, do you know what the nonprofit’s obligations are to maintain that employee’s position? A short article on military leave provided by Herrick Feinstein, LLP, is now posted on our website. Click here. |
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Liability Laws Protecting Volunteers and Nonprofits: The Nonprofit Risk Management Center has prepared a summary of state laws that protect volunteers and nonprofits from liability. A link to the summary is now available on the Pro Bono Partnership’s website. Click here.
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Spotlight on Clients and Volunteers |
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GE Chairman’s Leadership Award-winner Ben Heineman, Senior VP, General Counsel and Secretary of GE, designated the Pro Bono Partnership as his charity of choice to receive a $12,500 GE grant. Click here to read the story reprinted from the Metropolitan Corporate Counsel |
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Lee Braem, Corporate Counsel at Quest Diagnostics, was recently named Volunteer of the Year by his pro bono client, Visiting Health Services of Union County. Click here.
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Every day nonprofits call the Partnership’s office with questions about their day-to-day operations. By following this link to the Partnership’s website, you can review our staff attorneys’ responses to frequently these questions. Click here.
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Upcoming Workshops |
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The Pro Bono Partnership offers LEGAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS for staff and directors of nonprofit organizations. Click here for a schedule of upcoming workshops in 2003
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Legal Alerts and Recent Developments |
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Acknowledging Charitable Contributions – Common Mistakes: · Donations of Used Clothing or Other Goods: Remember that a charity’s only obligation in acknowledging the contribution of goods, such as used clothing or computers, is to describe what was donated, NOT to assign a dollar value to the goods. It is risky for a charity to assign a dollar amount: If a donor tells a charity that his contribution is worth $3,000, and the charity uses that amount in its letter acknowledging the gift, the charity could be liable for participating in tax fraud if in fact the fair market value of the goods is only $300. The IRS suggests that the donor’s determination of fair market value can be based on selling price, comparable sales, and replacement costs. When donated goods are valued in excess of $5,000, the IRS requires that the donor have the goods appraised and submit Form 8283 to the charity for acknowledgment of the gift. For further information, see the article on the Pro Bono Partnership’s website entitled “What Must a Tax-Exempt Group Do to Acknowledge Donations?” Click Here
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New York: · New regulations governing fundraising activities by charities in the State of New York were adopted in April 2003. The regulations also address the financial reports due to the State of New York by charities engaged in fundraising activities in New York. These regulations take effect on July 1, 2003. The full text of the regulations, as well as other helpful guidance for NY charities, may be found on the NY Attorney General's Internet site: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/charities/charities.html · “Sexual orientation” now a protected category in New York State: The New York Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, effective January 16, 2003, Chapter 6, Article 4, Section 40-c of the NY Civil Rights Law, prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education and credit on the basis of sexual orientation, defined under the Act to include heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or asexuality. Note: An amendment to protect “trans-gendered” individuals (those who are cross-dressers, or who have undergone a sex-change operation) was not included in the final version of the Act.
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Connecticut: · The Connecticut Legislature is considering Senate Bill 1099 entitled, “An Act Concerning Property Tax Exemption For Transitional Housing.” This bill intends to modify Connecticut General Statutes 12-81(7) and 12-88 to clarify that tax-exempt groups providing transitional housing services (i.e. shelters and drug treatment centers) are exempt from paying real property taxes.
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New Jersey: · New regulations are being considered by the NJ legislature that would alter some charitable registration requirements. Proposed changes are being monitored by the Center for Nonprofit Corporations (732) 227-0800. This newsletter will post any new regulations.
Internal Revenue Service Updates Affecting Tax-Exempt Organizations: · Since November 1999, Guidestar has published IRS Form 990’s submitted by charitable organizations on its Internet site: www.guidestar.com. The IRS reports that every day 20,000 users take advantage of the opportunity to examine nonprofit information tax returns. Consequently, be aware that your organization’s 990 may be viewed by a wide audience and that much care should be taken in preparation and review of the returns.
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Thank you for being part of the Pro Bono Partnership e-newsletter mailing list. To be added to or removed from this list, please call the Partnership’s New Jersey office: (973) 273-0600.
To apply for legal assistance from the Pro Bono Partnership in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, please
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