Jul 15, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
The latest edition of the ACR newsletter is available below. Here are highlights:
Washington Roundup:Deficit Reduction/Debt Ceiling Talks
Consider This: A Passionate Plea for Principled Tax Reform
Click continue reading for the latest edition of the ACR newsletter.
Jun 30, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The latest edition of the ACR newsletter is available below. We are sending this newsletter one day early before the long Independence Day Weekend.
Happy Independence Day!
As our nation celebrates its declaration of independence from British rule, we pause to remember that among the freedoms we as Americans enjoy is the freedom to give to the issues, causes and organizations we value in the manner we choose –what we call philanthropic freedom. Have a happy, safe Fourth of July!
Here are highlights:
Washington Roundup:
Deficit Reduction/Debt Ceiling Talks
Tax Provisions
Consider This: Debt Ceiling “Soaps” – Drama Unfolds on Capitol Hill
Click continue reading for the latest edition of the ACR newsletter.
Jun 7, 2011
The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports on reactions of Massachusetts foundations to efforts to prohibit compensation of nonprofit board members:
Here’s an excerpt:
The measure arose from a proposal backed by Martha Coakley, the Massachusetts attorney general, that followed a public outcry over five-figure stipends for directors of the state’s four nonprofit health insurers, two of which voluntarily suspended board compensation.
The bill has moved swiftly in recent weeks after it was attached to the state budget bill that passed the Massachusetts Senate last month
Beth Smith, executive director of the Hyams Foundation, said she had been following the attorney general’s report on nonprofit health insurers but did not realize until recently that the proposed law could apply to her foundation as well. The Hyams Foundation paid 10 of its dozen board members a total of $134,125 in 2009.
“A number of our trustees come from the nonprofit sector, including grass-roots groups, and immigrant communities and low-income communities. It might affect our ability to attract some people if they really need to make a tradeoff in terms of their own income and lives.” Ms. Smith said. “If the law passes, the board will have to have an important conversation about it. I’m not sure what the board would decide to do.”
Jun 3, 2011
Here’s something that has been flying under the radar in Massachusetts that could be of great concern to some in the foundation community and beyond.
First, consider that the definition of a public charity in Massachusetts is very broad – indeed it draws in private foundations as well as health insurers. Second, consider that Massachusetts is leaving no stone unturned in trying to tamp down health care costs. Combine that with a nonprofit health insurance company in Massachusetts where the Board of Directors is being paid as much as $90,000 a year and an ousted nonprofit health insurance executive is receiving $11 million in severance, and you’ve got a recipe for policy trouble.
Jun 3, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
The latest edition of the ACR newsletter is available below. Here are highlights:
Washington Roundup
State Alert: Massachussets
Consider This: Mass. Nonprofit Board Compensation & Executive Pay Under the Gun
Click continue reading for the latest edition of the ACR newsletter.
Jun 1, 2011
On Thursday, May 26, 2011, the Massachusetts Senate passed an amendment as part of the Senate budget to prohibit public charities from providing board compensation without prior approval from the state Attorney General. The amendment also provides that the AG may review executive compensation and, if the AG does a review, must report findings to the legislature. The provision on board compensation is similar to a bill sponsored by Senator Mark Montigny and Representative Martha Walz earlier in the session.