Federal law currently requires nonprofits filing a Form 990 to list in a confidential section all donors who gift $5,000 or more. Some states want to disclose these donors. Privacy advocates fear that doing so might stifle political speech.
Houston joins a growing list of cities and counties that are tightening their rules regarding the use of corporate tax abatements. In Houston’s case, the new regulations require that companies receiving public support commit in return to help meet city needs, such as by targeting hiring within low-income communities.
Until last Friday, George Mason University strenuously denied that donor conditions put its academic independence at risk. But news sources revealed that donors had been granted direct input on faculty appointments and weighed in on faculty evaluations.
Nonprofits understand all too well how important government transparency is to their own work and for fostering participation and engagement in the institutions that govern society. This is an acute pain point for climate advocates in the era of Trump.
Responding to earlier calls for greater transparency, the group managing the Alamo makes its meetings open, but still faces criticism.
Legislation proposed in South Carolina could reduce reporting requirements of nonprofits receiving public funds.
In October, Nashville submitted a bid for Amazon’s second headquarters. But no one would say what Nashville had offered. This month, by voice vote, the 35-member Metro Council passed new disclosure requirements for any company seeking economic development incentive support.
A California consumer advocacy nonprofit that promotes transparency doesn’t always practice it.
When nonprofit structures are used as pawns, the public is not served well and the overall health of the nonprofit sector is harmed.
The Jewish Federations of North America are, collectively, the fifth biggest charity in the United States. Haaretz’s study of 138 Jewish federations registered in the US from 2012 to 2015 reveals many insider deals—and little transparency.
