ACLU opposes fee hike for lobbying...

December 15, 2009

The American Civil Liberties Union is asking a federal court to stop the state from collecting newly-raised fees to register as a lobbyist, saying the fees constitute a tax on speech, The Associated Press reported Dec. 11 (see ACLU story). The fee jumps to $1,000 from $350 on Jan. 1 and the ACLU says nonprofits should not have to "pay a tax in order to express their views."

Unlike public companies that are regulated by boards and the federal government, the Harvard Corporation, which manages the university's endowment funds and expenses, is "answerable to no one," Fred Abernathy and Harry Lewis wrote in an opinion column in The Boston Globe Dec. 12 (see Harvard investments story). The organization is governed by six fellows, who serve unlimited terms and help name their own successors.

For nonprofits hit hard by the recession, a donation of space can be as welcome as cash, The Richmond Times Dispatch reported Dec. 14 (see donated space story). Donated space can mean thousands in monthly savings for charities stretched by rising demand and dwindling resources.

Arts patron and former-soprano Louise Dieterle Nippert had donated $75 million to the Cincinnati Symphony and $10 million to the city's ballet and opera, with the caveat that the groups must continue to use symphony players in their performances, The Baltimore Sun reported Dec. 11 (see Cincinnati Symphony story).

Stephanie Cuskley, the new CEO of NPower, aims to bolster the nonprofit's philanthropic mission by strengthening its ties to corporations, which can provide information-technology volunteers to train low-income workers and eventually hire program graduates on the back end, Business Week reported Dec. 11 (see NPower story).

Armed robbers stole 13 Salvation Army fundraising kettles in Charlotte, N.C., making off with an estimated $4,000 in donations, The Associated Press reported Dec. 12 (see Salvation Army theft story). The charity says the public can help by donating money to offset the loss.

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