Summary of posts by the Arocho Law Office to Twitter and the Arocho Law Office Facebook Page.
AROCHO LAW OFFICE: Focused on serving Nonprofits

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Saturday, July 31, 2010

New News Source

As a public service the Arocho Law Office has created the following news and information website at http://arocholawnews.blogspot.com/. At that site you will find links to useful news and information on business, nonprofits, regulations, government, money, credit unions, world news and matters of personal interest!

Facebook Page Posts for the weeks of July 11th &18th

This is a summary of posts for the weeks of July 11th, and 18th to the Arocho Law Office Facebook Page:

A special episode of The Simpsons to be shown on October 3rd will focus on Grameen Bank's micro-credit schemes, and feature of Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=148256

US Nonprofits' Social Media Adoption Outpaces All Other Sectors for Third Year in a Row According to New Research - http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/according-new-research,1398394.html

Grant Alert: TD Charitable Foundation 2010 Housing for Everyone Grant Competition Overview - http://www.tdbank.com/community/housing_grant_competition.html

Some State & Federal Lawmakers Seeking Cuts Look at Nonprofit Salaries: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/us/27nonprofit.html?_r=1

IRS Says that Nonprofit Universities Fail to Report Taxable Income: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-26/irs-survey-finds-some-nonprofit-universities-fail-to-report-taxable-income.html

Nonprofits Stretched Thin: http://www.afpnet.org/Audiences/ReportsResearchDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4537

Arocho Law Office's Nonprofit Blog: IRS Grants Grace Period for Small Tax Exempt Organ... http://goo.gl/b/E16k

Fundraising article: Selling Cars and Selling Your Cause http://www.ammado.com/nonprofit/afp/articles/16445

How Daydreaming Could Lead to Your Next Big Idea: http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/lifestyle/article/how-daydreaming-could-lead-to-your-next-big-idea-ben-popper

Telecommuting? Some Tips for Best Work from Home Experience - http://businessforums.verizon.net/t5/Small-Biz-Blog/Telecommuting-Some-Tips-for-Best-Work-from-Home-Experience/ba-p/230846

A N.J. nonprofit restaurant in Orange follows the social entrepreneurship trend: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/nj_nonprofit_group_restaurant.html

Student run nonprofit medical clinic: For med students, financial lessons learned outside the lab at http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/22/am-for-med-students-financial-lessons-learned-outside-the-lab/

The IRS seeks comments on new disclosure requirement pursuant the 2010 health care reform law that requires that businesses and nonprofits, starting in 2012, to report aggregate payments to vendors in excess of $600 for goods and other property. The requirement applies for payments to all vendors, not just those related to health care. Presently, nonprofits and business are required to file Form 1099s for payment of services by independent contractors, but not for goods from vendors. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=225029,00.html

According to a recently released report by the Johns Hopkins University's Listening Post Project, there is evidence that this Great Recession has placed a significant strain on the nonprofit sector, especially those that provide services to children and family services as well as arts nonprofits, and finds that larger nonprofits tended to lay off staff more frequently than smaller ones. [Communiqué No. 19, 7/14/2010] http://www.urban.org/publications/412135.html


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Fan Page Posts for Week of July 11

This is a summary of posts to the Arocho Law Office Facebook Page for the week of July 11, 2010:

  • In the aftermath of a disaster or in other emergency hardship situations, individuals, employers and corporations often are interested in providing assistance to victims through a charitable organization. Before disaster strikes, review the tax rules that apply!!!!
  • The Affordable Care Act of 2010 contains some tax provisions that take effect this year and others that will be implemented during the next several years and could impact your small business or nonprofit . Keep abreast of the latest information on the implementation of provisions that may affect your tax-exempt organization!!
  • Great new small business: Shore Kids Yoga LLC is dedicated to helping children become healthy from the inside out. At Shore Kids Yoga, they believe everyone needs an outlet to express themselves, relieve stress and have FUN. They encourage children to use their imagination, relax and become strong confident individuals. For further info please visit http://www.shorekidsyoga.com/
  • Is your nonprofit registered as a charity? Almost every state and territory regulates the solicitation activities of charities. Some exceptions may exist for religious organizations. The National Assoc. of Attorneys General and National Assoc. of State Charity Officials developed the Charleston Principles to address solicitation over the internet and it can be used as guidance for good faith compliance.

Fan Page Posts for Week of July 4

This is a summary of posts to the Arocho Law Office Facebook Page for the week of July 4, 2010:
  • Resting in Peace and Joy for all Eternity...R.I.P. Arturo Soto. He was born about 1928, in Puerto Rico, and died on July 7, 2010, in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. A longtime resident of the US Virgin Islands, he was a well known businessman, public official and member of the community.
  • Reinvent Your Nonprofit to Rebound From the Recession. Compare your business/nonprofit today with others in field/industry & geographic location. Look at way you're doing business with fresh set of eyes so you can discover ways to do things differently. Reinventing your business or nonprofit may be just the boost you need to rebound from the recession.
  • Celebrate National Parents' Day this July 25th! This day is celebrated the 4th Sunday of every July. Many are unaware that our nation has a new day of commemoration called Parents' Day. In 1994 the President of the US signed into law the resolution unanimously adopted by the U. S. Congress establishing the fourth Sunday of every July as Parents' Day, a perennial day of commemoration similar to Mother's Day and Father's Day. According to the Congressional Resolution, Parents’ Day is established for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children." http://www.parentsday.com/

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Prior Fan Page Posts

This is a summary of older posts to the Arocho Law Office Facebook Page :

Free Corporate Philanthropy Search Portal - The NonProfit Times launched a free search portal that allows nonprofits to search, view and save information about corporate donors, recipient organizations and the size of gifts. To research current donors, create customized prospect lists and much more, visit the Nonprofit Times Web site and click on "Donation Portal" or http://www.nptgrantsearch.com/.

Google for Non-Profits - A new portal, called Google for Nonprofits (http://www.google.com/nonprofits/ ), is now available that provides charities access and guidance on how to use a variety of tools and resources that Google offers. For each service, Google for Nonprofits also offers instructions (with video tutorials) on how to use the program, as well as guidance as to how charities can get the most benefit out of each. Use of each of the services is free of charge. The site also features examples of how some charities are already using the various tools to further their mission.

Building Trust With Print And Online Appeals - According to a recent article in Philanthropy Journal that was written by Richard D. Waters, a communications professor at N.C. State University, recent research in public relations shows that an individual's decision to give to charity is directly tied to trust-the belief that a nonprofit will produce results with each donation. The full text of the article can be found on the Philanthropy Journal website
(http://www.philanthropyjournal.org/resources/fundraisinggiving/using-solicitations-build-trust ).

What a great idea- a low-profit, limited liability company (L3C). A hybrid of a nonprofit and for-profit organization designed to attract private investments and philanthropic capital in ventures designed to provide a social benefit. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jun2009/sb20090615_940089.htm?chan=smal...lbiz_smallbiz+index+page_top+small+business+stories

The problem faced by WEAVE, a DC nonprofit, is symbolic of what is happening to many nonprofis in this difficult economic climate. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/19/AR2009091902383.html

Fundraising Tip: Personalize the premiums to donors. http://www.nptimes.com/09Sep/npt-090915-2.html


When it is the right time to hire a development officer: http://www.nptimes.com/webex/09Feb/c2-2-1-09.html


Introducing the Southern Maryland Applied Research and Technology Consortium, Inc. (a green technology and computer recycling nonprofit). I invite you to learn more about the great job they do by visiting: http://smartco.org/description.html .

The IRS Form 990 FAQs and tips for nonprofit organizations can be found at:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=211430,00.html


Wall Street Journal: What's Wrong With Charitable Giving—and How to Fix It (2009 article)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704500604574481773446591750.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_personalfinance


Here is an article from earlier this year that still may be of interest - A Cheat Sheet For A Down Economy: http://www.nptimes.com/09Mar/news-090323-1.html



The Disruption of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program: Causes, Consequences, Responses, and Proposed Correctives, published by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, examines the new Tax Credit Assistance Program and Tax Credit Exchange Program. Visit http://bit.ly/5ggFf1



Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 ("COPPA") protects certain personal information that a website collects from children under the age of 13. For more information, please see http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyinitiatives/childrens.html.


The Wall Street Journal reports that due to the recession (Great Recession) there is a shake out in the nonprofit sector that includes layoffs, mergers and closings. http://bit.ly/cYluB8


What Happens When I Default on a Business Loan?
http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Cents/What-Happens-When-I-Default-on-a-Business-Loan/ba-p/14770#A216?cm_mmc=GovDelivery-_-020310-_-weekly-_-community


Dress Code Policies: Nonprofits like other sectors of the economy, almost all nonprofits with employees have some form of a dress code policy. When creating a dress code policy for your business, apply your policy equally to all employees. Unfair dress code policies are considereddiscriminatory and may be grounds for a lawsuit. http://community2.business.gov/t5/Business-Law-Advisor/Dress-Code-Policies/ba-p/14727#A327?cm_mmc=GovDelivery-_-020310-_-weekly-_-community


Fiscal sponsorship for nonprofits-- it's more than you think. http://savannahnow.com/column/2010-02-06/fiscal-sponsorship-its-more-you-think


Donating to Charities via Text Messages: http://www.nj.com/helpinghands/nonprofitknowhow/index.ssf/2010/02/donating_to_charities_via_text.html


Aspiritech, a nonprofit in the suburbs of Chicago, is trying to help improve the job outlook for people with Asperger's and high-functioning autism. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123567371&sc=fb&cc=fp


IRS set out new fees that apply to exemption applications and requests for rulings and determination letters from the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=121515,00.html


How to find out the status of an application to the IRS for tax-exempt status. http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=156733,00.html


How Nonprofits Can Profit Without Betraying Their Mission: http://nonprofit.about.com/b/2010/03/01/how-nonprofits-can-profit-without-betraying-their-mission.htm


Here is a useful link to the U.S. Copyright Office: www.copyright.gov


Federal Home Loan Banks have special programs for affordable housing and community investment including the Affordable Housing Program, the Community Investment Program (CIP) and Community Investment Cash Advances (CICA). CIP advances loans to FHLBanks members (at cost) to make funds available to both households and businesses. CICA assists economic development with long-term advances and grants for commercial, industrial, manufacturing, social service, public facility and infrastructure purposes. http://www.fhlbanks.com/


IdeaEncore Network, an online marketplace for the sharing of ready-to-use tools, presentations, course outlines, templates, and project plans within and between nonprofit organizations. https://www.ideaencore.com/


The Case for Sabbaticals: http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/blog/2010/02/03/the-case-for-sabbaticals/


Instead of grants some wealthy people are offering philanthropic support for notable causes and ideas in the form of prizes: http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2032%3Anonprofit-newswire--more-people-eyeing-philanthropy-prizes&catid=155%3Adaily-digest&Itemid=137



Reduce the Burden of Grantmaking: New Guides Available: http://www.projectstreamline.org/


Take a Cue from Idol, Dawg! http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/managing/article/take-a-cue-from-idol-dawg-steve-strauss


Article on Capital Campaign fundraising for nonprofits & churches: Your Capital Campaign: Are You Ready to Succeed?
http://www.ammado.com/nonprofit/afp/articles/14384


Nonprofit Board members want to give more than just dollars. They want to give input, guidance and direction. If you don’t let them lead, they won’t want to give. http://www.ammado.com/nonprofit/afp/articles/14038


IRS has put together the following list of 6 things you should know about the tax treatment of tax-exempt organizations: annual returns are made available to the public, donor lists generally are not public information, how to find tax-exempt organizations, which organizations may accept charitable contributions, requirement for organizations not able to accept deductible contributions, and how to report inappropriate activities by an exempt organization. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=205630,00.html


Before you create a name for your new business/nonprofit it is important to do a name search & check public records. If your sole proprietorship or partnership is going by a name other than your own, make sure you file it with the appropriate state or territory office. Not only must your name reflect your brand and be memorable, there are also a host of legal issues to consider.


How to protect your nonprofit in the social media age: http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/ANowDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=46330


Nonprofits are acquiring for-profit corporations: http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/2010/04/nonprofits-acquire-corporation


A blueprint for action any nonprofit can use to create an online advocacy plan: http://cortcom.blogspot.com/2010/03/blueprint-for-action-any-nonprofit-can.html


Nonprofit leader compensation: How much should non-profit leaders earn? http://views.washingtonpost.com/leadership/light/2010/04/how-much-should-non-profit-leaders-earn.html


The three very important manuals that your nonprofit should have are an accounting manual, employment manual, and general operations manual. http://nonprofitleadership601.blogspot.com/2010/04/three-very-important-manuals-for.html


The Top Six Reasons Board Candidates Choose One Nonprofit Over Others to serve on: http://www.fastcompany.com/1651857/the-top-six-reasons-board-candidates-choose-one-nonprofit-over-others


Putting People First in the Nonprofit Sector: The best nonprofit leaders, however, have proven that if we truly think and act on a PEOPLE FIRST basis, we can get even more done, with even less, and make greater strides towards our organizations’ missions. Read more: http://www.triplepundit.com/2010/05/putting-people-first-in-the-nonprofit-sector/#ixzz0qaPpicCl


The website Subsidyscope, a project of the Pew Charitable Trusts and Sunlight Foundation, provides a new feature that allows the public to search a database for detailed information about federal grants and contracts with nonprofit organizations. http://subsidyscope.com/nonprofits/


Nonprofit organizations need to maintain adequate reserves to safeguard their financial stability, according to a new paper by Grant Thornton. To download a copy of the white paper, visit
www.grantthornton.com/nfpreserves.


What's The CEO Job Worth To The Nonprofit Organization? The value is the CEO Premium. In practical terms, the Nonprofit CEO's role plays itself out in the top line -- revenue, better known as “growth.” Management generally is responsible for revenue and expenses, but the responsibility for the former often falls disproportionately on the CEO for a number of subtle but powerful reasons. Another reason why revenue is the natural focus of a CEO and the source of the CEO Premium is because seeking sources of support is a divergent, creative task. http://www.exemptmagazine.com/newsletter/05-09-10bexempt.html


Nonprofit Fundraising Tech Tip: Free Fundraising Thermometers for you to use on your website can be found at http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/thermometer/


Nonprofit Fundraising Tech Tip: Free way to expand your reach with a Google Grant. It is a unique in-kind donation program awarding free AdWords advertising to select charitable organizations. Google supports organizations sharing their philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.
http://www.google.com/grants/index.html


Nonprofit Fundraising Resource: Read the following to learn more about how much it costs nonprofit organizations to lose donors and acquire new ones at http://www.afpnet.org/files/ContentDocuments/2009_FEP_FinalReport.pdf


Nonprofit Fundraising FYI: For many nonprofits, starting a successful planned giving program is as simple as encouraging bequests. Here is some advice on getting started at http://www.philanthropyjournal.org/resources/fundraisinggiving/talking-with-donors-about-bequests


"The new 990 is a big step forward to bring better, more usable information to a wide range of stakeholders including current and prospective donors, watchdog groups, public officials, media, and other nonprofits...Ultimately, the most important user of your 990 is you." http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/blog/2010/06/02/give-your-990-a-workout/


A recent post at the Nonprofit Conversation blog discusses the changing of the title of the Executive Director in a nonprofit to President/C.E.O. However, I feel that the nonprofit must consider the legal consquences of such a title change before making such a decision. You can read the article at: What’s in a Name? Benefits of the President/CEO Title: http://nonprofitconversation.blogspot.com/2010/06/whats-in-name-benefits-of-presidentceo.html


Fundraising News: Convio, a provider of on-demand constituent engagement solutions that enable nonprofit organizations to more effectively raise funds, and PayPal announced an agreement that will enable nonprofits to implement PayPal to collect donations online. http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/pypl_paypal-teams-with-convio-to-offer-solution-for-nonprofits-994591.html


Nonprofit Board Resource: Center for Community Change. "How to Run a Good Meeting: A Guide for New Leaders." 2007 at http://www.campusactivism.org/server-new/uploads/meet.pdf


Nonprofit Board Resource: "Nonprofit Board Basics Online." that contains links to a free, interactive online course with a virtual conference, animation, more resources and online self-assessement can be found at http://www.compasspoint.org/boardbasics


Nonprofit Board Resource: "Sample Job Descriptions for Board Members of Community-Based Organizations" at http://www.cccfiles.org/resources/orgdevtools/downloads/boardjd.pdf


Nonprofit Fundraising Resource: "Writing a Winning Proposal" from Communitychange.org at http://www.campusactivism.org/server-new/uploads/winprop.pdf


Nonproft Finance Resource: Nonprofits Assistance Fund's "Using this Cash Flow Projection Worksheet" posted at Nonprofitassistancefund.org can be found here: http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/files/MNAF/ToolsTemplates/Cashflow_template.XLS


Panera Co. plans to open more pay-what-you-wish nonprofit restaurants: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g__EQ-OG9DhU1YwC4Fo4s5QREdbgD9GIE6682


A great blog post on Nonprofit Embezzlement: More Common and More Preventable Than You Think can be found at http://www.blueavocado.org/content/nonprofit-embezzlement-more-common-and-more-preventable-you-think


Nonprofit grant resources (DC): An electronic clearinghouse for all District of Columbia government grant notices are available through the Mayor's Office of Partnerships and Grant Services District Grants Clearinghouse at http://opgs.dc.gov/opgd/cwp/view,a,1316,q,609787.asp