Nonprofit and charitable sectors : background and issues / William E. Perkins, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Perkins, William E.

Series:

Economic Issues, Problems and Perspectives

Economic issues, problems and perspectives

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nonprofit organizations--United States.

Nonprofit organizations.

Associations, institutions, etc--United States.

Associations, institutions, etc.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (169 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Hauppauge, NY : Nova Science Publisher's, c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A number of policy issues have direct or indirect consequences for the non-profit and charitable sector, including the establishment of a social innovation initiative, changes in the tax treatment of charitable donations, responses to the economic downturn, and health care reform. The non-profit and charitable sector represents a significant portion of the U.S. economy. This book provides a formal definition of the non-profit and charitable sector, its size and scope. Also explored are how charities are funded and an overview of the charitable sector's relationship with government and policy considerations.

Contents:

Intro

NONPROFIT AND CHARITABLE SECTORS: BACKGROUND AND ISSUES

CONTENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1 AN OVERVIEW OF THE NONPROFIT AND CHARITABLE SECTOR

SUMMARY

THE NONPROFIT AND CHARITABLE SECTORS2

IRS Filing Requirements

SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE NONPROFIT AND CHARITABLE SECTORS

Employment

Revenue

Assets

Revenue and Assets in the Broader Nonprofit Sector

CONTRIBUTION OF CHARITIES TO GDP

THE NONPROFIT &amp

CHARITABLE SECTORS VS. OTHER MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS

HOW ARE CHARITIES FUNDED?

Revenue Sources by Charitable Sector

Growth in Revenue Sources

Nongovernmental Financing: Private Contributions

Government Financing: Grants and Transfers

The Business Cycle's Impact on Funding

How Have Nonprofits Fared during Past Economic Downturns?

Charitable Contributions in Past Recessions

The Current Recession: Charitable Giving in 2008

Endowments and Assets

Outlook 2009

THE CHARITABLE SECTOR'S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT

Market Failures: Justifying the Subsidization of Charities

Public Goods

Externalities

Is There an Economic Rationale for Nonprofit Hospitals?

Relationship with the Federal Government

Federal Government

Social Innovation Initiatives

Foundations

Donor-Advised Funds and Supporting Organizations

Endowments

Charitable Contributions

Exemption of Tax on Investment Income of Nonprofits

Charitable Contributions and Other Tax Expenditures

Postal Subsidies

State and Local Governments

State and Local Tax Benefits

Potential Impacts of Government Grants on Giving

Government Funds and Private Funds as Substitutes

Government Funds and Private Funds as Complements

Taxes and Charitable Contributions

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

Increased Funding for Grants and Subsidies.

An Oversight Agency in the Federal Government

Proposals to Aid Nonprofits in Economic Downturns

Foundation Grants

State Funding and Payments

Providing Economic Stimulus Funds

The Itemized Deduction for Charitable Contributions

Other Tax Issues

Channeling Benefits Through the Federal Income Tax System (Including Health Insurance Credits)

Restrictions on Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), Supporting Organizations, and Endo-wments

Gifts of Appreciated Property

Nonprofit Hospitals

Extenders

The Estate Tax

APPENDIX.

End Notes

Chapter 2 LOBBYING REGULATIONS ON NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

TAX CODE STATUS AND LOBBYING

Section 501(c)(3) Charitable Organizations

Section 501(c)(4) Civic Organizations

Section 501(c)(5) Labor Organizations and 501(c)(6) Trade Associations

Veterans' Organizations - Section 501(c)(19)

Private Foundations

RECEIPT OF FEDERAL FUNDS

501(c)(4) Organizations Receiving Federal Grants

Restrictions on Use of Federal Funds Generally

REQUIRED DISCLOSURES OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as Amended

Tax Code Disclosures

ADDITIONAL READING

CRS Reports

Chapter 3 NONPROFIT SECTOR: TREATMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT OF INDIRECT COSTS VARY AMONG GRANTS, AND DEPEND SIGNIFICANTLY ON FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PRACTICES

WHY GAO DID THIS STUDY

WHAT GAO RECOMMENDS

WHAT GAO FOUND

ABBREVIATIONS

BACKGROUND

INCONSISTENCIES IN TERMINOLOGY LEAD TO CHALLENGES IN COST CLASSIFICATION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN UNEVEN TREATMENT OF COSTS

NONPROFITS' REIMBURSEMENT FOR INDIRECT COSTS LARGELY DEPENDS ON FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PRACTICES

WHEN NONPROFITS REPORT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDIRECT COSTS INCURRED AND REIMBURSED, THEY TAKE A VARIETY OF STEPS TO BRIDGE GAPS.

Nonprofits Fund Indirect Costs from a Variety of Sources

Nonprofits Take Steps to Bridge Reported Funding Gaps

Reduced Service Levels

Compromised Infrastructure Investments

Compromised Staff Investments

Limited Ability to Build a Financial Safety Net

Untimely Reimbursements and High Grant Administration Costs Exacerbate Nonprofits' Reported Funding Gaps

Untimely Reimbursements

Costs of Administering Grants

CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATION FOR EXECUTIVE ACTION

APPENDIX I: OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, AND METHODOLOGY

Chapter 4 NONPROFIT SECTOR: SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL FUNDS REACH THE SECTOR THROUGH VARIOUS MECHANISMS, BUT MORE COMPLETE AND RELIABLE FUNDING DATA ARE NEEDED

RESULTS IN BRIEF

The Nonprofit Sector

Federal Funding Mechanisms

FUNDING MECHANISMS ARE VARIED AND RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE COMPLEX

Grants and Contracts Provide Both Direct and Indirect Funds to Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit Organizations Obtain Federal Funds through Fees and Direct Payments for Services

Nonprofit Organizations Provided Access to Additional Funds through Federal Loans and Loan Guarantees

Nonprofit Organizations Benefit from Federal Tax Policies

Type of Funding Mechanism Generally Determines the Level of Oversight and Influence That Federal Agencies Have over Nonprofit Organizations

DATA LIMITATIONS LEAVE DECISION MAKERS WITHOUT COMPLETE INFORMATION ON FUNDING TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ALTHOUGH DATA SUGGEST THAT SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL FUNDS REACHED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN 2006

Data Limitations and Reliability Concerns Contribute to an Incomplete and Unreliable Picture of Federal Funding

Limitations and Reliability Concerns Caused by Various Factors.

Efforts to Improve Data Collection May Improve Information on Federal Funding to Nonprofit Organizations, Though Concerns Will Likely Remain

Data Sources Suggest Significant Federal Funds Reach Nonprofit Organizations

APPENDIX I: DETAILED SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

APPENDIX II: NONPROFIT IDENTIFICATION IN KEY DATA SYSTEMS

Chapter 5 NONPROFIT SECTOR: INCREASING NUMBERS AND KEY ROLE IN DELIVERING FEDERAL SERVICES

ROLE OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE ECONOMY AND AS PROVIDERS OF SERVICES IS SIGNIFICANT

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INCREASINGLY PARTNERING WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

EMERGING POLICY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE NONPROFIT SECTOR

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

APPENDIX I: KEY TERMS RELATED TO NONPROFIT STATUS

APPENDIX II: TYPES OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR

Chapter 6 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS

ABSTRACT

1. WHAT IS A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION?

2. WHAT IS A NONPROFIT (NOT-FOR-PROFIT) ORGANIZATION?

3. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IRC 501(C)(3) AND 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATIONS?

4. WHAT IS A PRIVATE FOUNDATION?

5. ARE CONTRIBUTIONS TO AN ORGANIZATION TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?

Dues

6. CAN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS LOBBY?

7. CAN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATE IN ELECTION ACTIVITIES?

8. HOW DO YOU SET UP A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION?

9. HOW DOES AN ORGANIZATION LOSE ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS?

10. WHAT TAX RECORDS DO TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO PREPARE?

11. ARE TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC?

12. ARE THERE ORGANIZATIONS THAT EVALUATE CHARITIES OR REPORT ON THEIR ACTIVITIES?.

13. WHAT RESOURCES PROVIDE INFORMATION ON GENERAL ISSUES INVOLVING TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS?

CHAPTER SOURCES

INDEX

Blank Page.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-61122-382-2

OCLC:

844345578