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Turning the Improbable<br />

Into the Exceptional!<br />

Page 2 of 89


<strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation, Inc.<br />

Helping Individuals, Organizations & Communities<br />

Achieve <strong>The</strong>ir Full Potential<br />

Since its founding in 2003, <strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation has become recognized as an effective<br />

provider of support to those who receive our services, having real impact within the communities<br />

we serve. We are currently engaged in community and faith-based collaborative initiatives,<br />

having the overall objective of eradicating all forms of youth violence and correcting injustices<br />

everywhere. In carrying-out these initiatives, we have adopted the evidence-based strategic<br />

framework developed and implemented by the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency<br />

Prevention (OJJDP).<br />

<strong>The</strong> stated objectives are:<br />

1. Community Mobilization;<br />

2. Social Intervention;<br />

3. Provision of Opportunities;<br />

4. Organizational Change and Development;<br />

5. Suppression [of illegal activities].<br />

Moreover, it is our most fundamental belief that in order to be effective, prevention and<br />

intervention strategies must be Community Specific, Culturally Relevant, Evidence-Based, and<br />

Collaborative. <strong>The</strong> Violence Prevention and Intervention programming we employ in<br />

implementing this community-enhancing framework include the programs further described<br />

throughout our publications, programs and special projects both domestically and<br />

internationally.<br />

www.<strong>The</strong>Advocacy.Foundation<br />

ISBN: ......... ../2017<br />

......... Printed in the USA<br />

Advocacy Foundation Publishers<br />

Philadelphia, PA<br />

(878) 222-0450 | Voice | Data | SMS<br />

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Page 4 of 89


Dedication<br />

______<br />

Every publication in our many series’ is dedicated to everyone, absolutely everyone, who by<br />

virtue of their calling and by Divine inspiration, direction and guidance, is on the battlefield dayafter-day<br />

striving to follow God’s will and purpose for their lives. And this is with particular affinity<br />

for those Spiritual warriors who are being transformed into excellence through daily academic,<br />

professional, familial, and other challenges.<br />

We pray that you will bear in mind:<br />

Matthew 19:26 (NLT)<br />

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible.<br />

But with God everything is possible.” (Emphasis added)<br />

To all of us who daily look past our circumstances, and naysayers, to what the Lord says we will<br />

accomplish:<br />

Blessings!!<br />

- <strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation, Inc.<br />

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<strong>The</strong> Transformative Justice Project<br />

Eradicating Juvenile Delinquency Requires a Multi-Disciplinary Approach<br />

<strong>The</strong> Juvenile Justice system is incredibly overloaded, and Solutions-Based programs<br />

are woefully underfunded. Our precious children, therefore, particularly young people of<br />

color, often get the “swift” version of justice whenever they come into contact with the<br />

law.<br />

<strong>The</strong> way we accomplish all this is as follows:<br />

Decisions to build prison facilities are often based<br />

on elementary school test results, and our country<br />

incarcerates more of its young than any other<br />

nation on earth. So we at <strong>The</strong> Foundation labor to<br />

pull our young people out of the “school to prison”<br />

pipeline, and we then coordinate the efforts of the<br />

legal, psychological, governmental and<br />

educational professionals needed to bring an end<br />

to delinquency.<br />

We also educate families, police, local businesses,<br />

elected officials, clergy, and schools and other<br />

stakeholders about transforming whole<br />

communities, and we labor to change their thinking<br />

about the causes of delinquency with the goal of<br />

helping them embrace the idea of restoration for<br />

the young people in our care who demonstrate<br />

repentance for their mistakes..<br />

1. We vigorously advocate for charges reductions, wherever possible, in the<br />

adjudicatory (court) process, with the ultimate goal of expungement or pardon, in<br />

order to maximize the chances for our clients to graduate high school and<br />

progress into college, military service or the workforce without the stigma of a<br />

criminal record;<br />

2. We then enroll each young person into an Evidence-Based, Data-Driven<br />

Restorative Justice program designed to facilitate their rehabilitation and<br />

subsequent reintegration back into the community;<br />

3. While those projects are operating, we conduct a wide variety of ComeUnity-<br />

ReEngineering seminars and workshops on topics ranging from Juvenile Justice<br />

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to Parental Rights, to Domestic issues to Police friendly interactions, to mental<br />

health intervention, to CBO and FBO accountability and compliance;<br />

4. Throughout the process, we encourage and maintain frequent personal contact<br />

between all parties;<br />

5 Throughout the process we conduct a continuum of events and fundraisers<br />

designed to facilitate collaboration among professionals and community<br />

stakeholders; and finally<br />

6. 1 We disseminate Quarterly publications, like our e-Advocate series Newsletter<br />

and our e-Advocate Quarterly electronic Magazine to all regular donors in order<br />

to facilitate a lifelong learning process on the ever-evolving developments in the<br />

Justice system.<br />

And in addition to the help we provide for our young clients and their families, we also<br />

facilitate Community Engagement through the Restorative Justice process,<br />

thereby balancing the interests of local businesses, schools, clergy, social assistance<br />

organizations, elected officials, law enforcement entities, and all interested<br />

stakeholders. Through these efforts, relationships are rebuilt & strengthened, local<br />

businesses and communities are enhanced & protected from victimization, young<br />

careers are developed, and our precious young people are kept out of the prison<br />

pipeline.<br />

Additionally, we develop Transformative “Void Resistance” (TVR) initiatives to alleviate<br />

concerns of our successes resulting in economic hardship for those employed by the<br />

penal system.<br />

TVR is an innovative-comprehensive process that works in conjunction with our<br />

Transformative Justice initiatives to transition the original use and purpose of current<br />

systems into positive social impact operations, which systematically retrains current<br />

staff, renovates facilities, creates new employment opportunities, increases salaries and<br />

is data proven to enhance employee’s mental wellbeing and overall quality of life – an<br />

exponential Transformative Social Impact benefit for ALL community stakeholders.<br />

This is a massive undertaking, and we need all the help and financial support you can<br />

give! We plan to help 75 young persons per quarter-year (aggregating to a total of 250<br />

1<br />

In addition to supporting our world-class programming and support services, all regular donors receive our Quarterly e-Newsletter<br />

(<strong>The</strong> e-Advocate), as well as <strong>The</strong> e-Advocate Quarterly Magazine.<br />

Page 8 of 89


per year) in each jurisdiction we serve) at an average cost of under $2,500 per client,<br />

per year. *<br />

Thank you in advance for your support!<br />

* FYI:<br />

1. <strong>The</strong> national average cost to taxpayers for minimum-security youth incarceration,<br />

is around $43,000.00 per child, per year.<br />

2. <strong>The</strong> average annual cost to taxpayers for maximum-security youth incarceration<br />

is well over $148,000.00 per child, per year.<br />

- (US News and World Report, December 9, 2014);<br />

3. In every jurisdiction in the nation, the Plea Bargain rate is above 99%.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Judicial system engages in a tri-partite balancing task in every single one of these<br />

matters, seeking to balance Rehabilitative Justice with Community Protection and<br />

Judicial Economy, and, although the practitioners work very hard to achieve positive<br />

outcomes, the scales are nowhere near balanced where people of color are involved.<br />

We must reverse this trend, which is right now working very much against the best<br />

interests of our young.<br />

Our young people do not belong behind bars.<br />

- Jack Johnson<br />

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Page 10 of 89


<strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation, Inc.<br />

Helping Individuals, Organizations & Communities<br />

Achieve <strong>The</strong>ir Full Potential<br />

<strong>The</strong> NpA <strong>Incubator</strong><br />

for Transformative Social Impact ®<br />

“Turning the Improbable Into the Exceptional”<br />

Atlanta<br />

Philadelphia<br />

______<br />

John C. Johnson III<br />

Founder & CEO<br />

Mark L. Merrill<br />

Northeast Regional Director<br />

(878) 222-0450<br />

Voice | Data | SMS<br />

www.<strong>The</strong>Advocacy.Foundation<br />

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Biblical Authority<br />

______<br />

Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)<br />

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.<br />

Proverbs 15:22<br />

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.<br />

Proverbs 16:9<br />

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.<br />

Acts 20:35<br />

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak,<br />

remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to<br />

receive.’ ”<br />

Galatians 6:9<br />

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if<br />

we do not give up.<br />

1 Corinthians 15:58<br />

<strong>The</strong>refore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give<br />

yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is<br />

not in vain.<br />

Luke 14:28<br />

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the<br />

cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?<br />

Mark 10:42-45<br />

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers<br />

of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over<br />

them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be<br />

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your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of<br />

Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”<br />

Habakkuk 2:2<br />

<strong>The</strong> Lord’s Answer<br />

<strong>The</strong>n the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a<br />

herald may run with it.<br />

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Table of Contents<br />

<strong>The</strong> NpA <strong>Incubator</strong><br />

for Transformative Social Impact<br />

Biblical Authority<br />

I. INTRODUCTION: <strong>The</strong> NpA <strong>Incubator</strong>…………………………………….. 17<br />

II.<br />

ORGANIZING<br />

<strong>The</strong> 501(c)(3) Acquisition Process………………………………………… 23<br />

Transformative Community Engagement<br />

and Multidisciplinary Collaboration ……………………………….. 31<br />

Organizational Development & Sustainability …………………………… 33<br />

III.<br />

PLANNING<br />

Strategic Planning …………………………………………………………... 37<br />

Evidence-Based Programming ……………………………………………. 38<br />

Data-Driven Resource Allocation ………………………………………….. 41<br />

IV.<br />

SUSTAINABILITY & COMPLIANCE<br />

Economic Emancipation & Fundraising …………………………………... 43<br />

- UBIT Initiatives<br />

Best Practices and Accountability ………………………………………… 44<br />

Compliance ………………………………………………………………...... 45<br />

V. CRITICAL THINKING for TRANSFORMATIVE SOCIAL IMPACT<br />

Paradigm Shifting & Change Management ……………………………… 49<br />

Inner-City Strategic Revitalization Planning…………………………….... 53<br />

________<br />

Attachments<br />

A. 501(c)(3) Compliance Guide (rev. 3-2018 (p4221pc))<br />

B. Quick Short-Term Impact Analysis (2-2018)<br />

C. NpA <strong>Incubator</strong> Workshop Budget<br />

Copyright © 2003-2018 <strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<br />

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Page 16 of 89


Introduction<br />

<strong>The</strong> NpA <strong>Incubator</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> NpA <strong>Incubator</strong> was established to help new, startups, and<br />

existing organizations to form and grow by providing services<br />

such as organizational development training, capacitybuilding,<br />

community engagement expertise and much<br />

more.<br />

<strong>The</strong> National Business Incubation Association (NBIA)<br />

defines [such] incubators as a catalyst tool for either<br />

regional or national economic development. NBIA<br />

categorizes their [own] members’ incubators by the<br />

following five incubator types: academic institutions; nonprofit<br />

development corporations; for-profit property<br />

development ventures; venture capital firms, and [various]<br />

combinations of the above.<br />

[Such] incubators differ from research and technology parks in their dedication to startup<br />

and early-stage [organizations]. Research and technology parks, on the other hand,<br />

tend to be large-scale projects that house everything from corporate, government or<br />

university labs to very small companies. Most research and technology parks do not<br />

offer business assistance services, which are the hallmark of business incubation<br />

programs. However, many research and technology parks house incubation programs.<br />

<strong>Incubator</strong>s also differ from the U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business<br />

Development Centers (and similar business support programs) in that they serve only<br />

selected clients. SBDCs are required by law to offer general business assistance to any<br />

company that contacts them for help. In addition, SBDCs work with any small business<br />

at any stage of development, not only startup companies. Many business incubation<br />

programs partner with their local SBDC to create a "one-stop shop" for entrepreneurial<br />

support.<br />

Within European Union countries there are different EU and state funded programs that<br />

offer support in form of consulting, mentoring, prototype creation and other services and<br />

co-funding for them. TecHub is one of examples for IT companies and ideas.<br />

History<br />

<strong>The</strong> formal concept of business incubation began in the USA in 1959 when Joseph L.<br />

Mancuso opened the Batavia Industrial Center in a Batavia, New York, warehouse.<br />

Incubation expanded in the U.S. in the 1980s and spread to the UK and Europe through<br />

Page 17 of 89


various related forms (e.g. innovation centers, pioneers enterprises,<br />

technopoles/science parks).<br />

<strong>The</strong> U.S.-based International Business Innovation Association estimates that there are<br />

about 7,000 incubators worldwide. A study funded by the European Commission in<br />

2002 identified around 900 incubation environments in Western Europe.<br />

As of October 2006, there were more than 1,400 incubators in North America, up from<br />

only 12 in 1980. Her Majesty's Treasury identified around 25 incubation environments in<br />

the UK in 1997; by 2005, UKBI identified around 270 incubation environments across<br />

the country.<br />

In 2005 alone, North American incubation programs assisted more than 27,000<br />

companies that provided employment for more than 100,000 workers and generated<br />

annual revenues of $17 billion.<br />

Incubation activity has not been limited to developed countries; incubation environments<br />

are now being implemented in developing countries and raising interest for financial<br />

support from organizations such as UNIDO and the World Bank.<br />

Types of Services<br />

Since startup companies lack many resources, experience and networks, incubators<br />

provide services which helps them get through initial hurdles in starting up a business.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se hurdles include space, funding, legal, accounting, computer services and other<br />

prerequisites to running the business.<br />

Our services will include, but by no means be limited to, the following:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

501(c)(3) Acquisition/ Reinstatement<br />

Transformative Community Engagement and Multidisciplinary Collaboration<br />

Organizational Development and Sustainability<br />

Strategic Planning<br />

Evidence-Based Programming<br />

Data-Driven Resource Allocation<br />

Economic Emancipation and Fundraising (UBIT Initiatives)<br />

Best Practices and Accountability<br />

Compliance<br />

Paradigm Shifting and Change Management<br />

Inner-City Strategic Revitalization Planning<br />

Types<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are a number of business incubators that have focused on particular industries or<br />

on a particular business model, earning them their own name.<br />

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This list is incomplete:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Virtual business incubator - online business incubator<br />

Kitchen incubator - a business incubator focused on the food industry<br />

Public incubator - a business incubator focused on the public good<br />

Seed accelerator - a business incubator focused on early startups<br />

Corporate accelerator - a program of a larger company that acts akin to a seed<br />

accelerator<br />

Startup studio - a business incubator with interacting portfolio companies<br />

Hybrid <strong>Incubator</strong> - A business incubator that combines virtual incubator with onpremise<br />

activities<br />

Industry Sectors Intentionally Supported By Incubation Programs<br />

Technology Creative industries Construction<br />

Computer software eBusiness / eCommerce Arts<br />

Services/professional Wireless technology Aerospace<br />

Manufacturing Healthcare technology Kitchen/Food<br />

Internet Advanced materials Retail<br />

Biosciences/life sciences Defense/homeland security Fashion<br />

Electronics/Microelectronics Energy/Power Wood/forestry<br />

Telecommunications Environment/clean technologies Tourism<br />

Computer hardware Logistics/Delivery Manpower<br />

Medical devices Nanotechnology Media<br />

More than half of all business incubation programs are "mixed-use" projects, meaning<br />

they work with clients from a variety of industries. Technology incubators account for<br />

39% of incubation programs.<br />

One example of a specialized type of incubator is a bio-incubator. Bio-incubators<br />

specialize in supporting life science-based startup companies. Entrepreneurs with<br />

feasible projects in life sciences are selected and admitted for these programs.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Incubation Process<br />

Overview<br />

Unlike many business assistance programs, business incubators do not serve any and<br />

all companies. Social Service entrepreneurs who wish to enter <strong>The</strong> NpA <strong>Incubator</strong><br />

program must apply for admission. Acceptance criteria vary from program to program,<br />

but in general only those with well thought-out and workable Goals and Objectives are<br />

admitted. It is this factor that makes it difficult to compare the success rates of incubated<br />

companies against general business survival statistics.<br />

Although most incubators offer their clients office space and shared administrative<br />

services, the heart of a true business incubation program are the services it provides to<br />

startup companies. More than half of incubation programs surveyed by the National<br />

Business Incubation Association in 2006 reported that they also served affiliate or virtual<br />

clients. <strong>The</strong>se companies do not reside in the incubator facility. Affiliate clients may be<br />

Page 19 of 89


home-based businesses or early-stage companies that have their own premises but can<br />

benefit from incubator services. Virtual clients may be too remote from an incubation<br />

facility to participate on site, and so receive counseling and other assistance<br />

electronically.<br />

<strong>The</strong> amount of time a company spends in an incubation program can vary widely<br />

depending on a number of factors, including the type of business and the entrepreneur's<br />

level of business expertise. Life science and other firms with long research and<br />

development cycles require more time in an incubation program than manufacturing or<br />

service companies that can immediately produce and bring a product or service to<br />

market. On average, incubator clients spend 33 months in a program. Many incubation<br />

programs set graduation requirements by development benchmarks, such as company<br />

revenues or staffing levels, rather than time.<br />

Goals and Sponsors<br />

Business incubation has been identified as a means of meeting a variety<br />

of economic and socioeconomic policy needs, which may include job creation, fostering<br />

a community's entrepreneurial climate, technology commercialization, diversifying local<br />

economies, building or accelerating growth of local industry clusters, business creation<br />

and retention, encouraging women or minority entrepreneurship, identifying potential<br />

spin-in or spin-out business opportunities, or community revitalization.<br />

About one-third of business incubation programs are sponsored by economic<br />

development organizations. Government entities (such as cities or counties) account for<br />

21% of program sponsors. Another 20% are sponsored by academic institutions,<br />

including two and four-year colleges, universities, and technical colleges. In many<br />

countries, incubation programs are funded by regional or national governments as part<br />

of an overall economic development strategy.<br />

In the United States, however, most incubation programs are independent, communitybased<br />

and resourced projects. <strong>The</strong> U.S. Economic Development Administration is a<br />

frequent source of funds for developing incubation programs, but once a program is<br />

open and operational it typically receives no federal funding; few states offer centralized<br />

incubator funding. Rents and/or client fees account for 59% of incubator revenues,<br />

followed by service contracts or grants (18%) and cash operating subsidies (15%).<br />

As part of a major effort to address the ongoing economic crisis of the US, legislation<br />

was introduced to "reconstitute Project Socrates". <strong>The</strong> updated version of Socrates<br />

supports incubators by enabling users with technology-based facts about the<br />

marketplace, competitor maneuvers, potential partners, and technology paths to<br />

achieve competitive advantage. Michael Sekora, the original creator and director of<br />

Socrates says that a key purpose of Socrates is to assist government economic<br />

planners in addressing the economic and socioeconomic issues (see above) with<br />

unprecedented speed, efficiency and agility.<br />

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Many for-profit or "private" incubation programs were launched in the late 1990s by<br />

investors and other for-profit operators seeking to hatch businesses quickly and bring in<br />

big payoffs. At the time, NBIA estimated that nearly 30% of all incubation programs<br />

were for-profit ventures. In the wake of the dot-com bust, however, many of those<br />

programs closed. In NBIA's 2002 State of the Business Incubation survey, only 16% of<br />

responding incubators were for-profit programs. By the 2006 SOI, just 6% of<br />

respondents were for-profit.<br />

Although some incubation programs (regardless of nonprofit or for-profit status) take<br />

equity in client companies, most do not. Only 25% of incubation programs report that<br />

they take equity in some or all of their clients.<br />

<strong>Incubator</strong> Networks<br />

<strong>Incubator</strong>s often aggregate themselves into networks which are used to share good<br />

practices and new methodologies. Europe's European Business and Innovation Centre<br />

Network ("EBN") association federates more than 250 European Business and<br />

Innovation Centers (EU|BICs) throughout Europe. France has its own national network<br />

of technopoles, pre-incubators, and EU|BICs, called RETIS Innovation. This network<br />

focuses on internationalizing startups.<br />

Of 1000 incubators across Europe, 500 are situated in Germany. Many of them are<br />

organized federally within the ADT (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Innovations-,<br />

Technologie-, und Gründerzentren e.V.).<br />

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Page 22 of 89


II. Organizing<br />

<strong>The</strong> 501(c)(3) Acquisition Process<br />

Overview<br />

To [qualify for] tax-exempt [status] under<br />

section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue<br />

Code, an organization must be organized<br />

and operated exclusively for exempt<br />

purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3),<br />

and none of its earnings may inure to any<br />

private shareholder or individual. In<br />

addition, it may not be an action<br />

organization, i.e., it may not attempt to<br />

influence legislation as a substantial part<br />

of its activities and it may not participate<br />

in any campaign activity for or against<br />

political candidates.<br />

Organizations described in section<br />

501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as<br />

charitable organizations. Organizations<br />

described in section 501(c)(3), other than<br />

testing for public safety organizations,<br />

are eligible to receive tax-deductible<br />

contributions in accordance with Code<br />

section 170.<br />

<strong>The</strong> organization must not be organized<br />

or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3)<br />

organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or<br />

individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person<br />

having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the<br />

person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.<br />

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative<br />

(lobbying) activities they may conduct.<br />

A 501(c) organization, also known colloquially as a 501(c), is a tax-exempt nonprofit<br />

organization in the United States. Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue<br />

Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)) provides that 29 types of nonprofit organizations are exempt<br />

from some federal income taxes. Sections 503 through 505 set out the requirements for<br />

attaining such exemptions. Many states refer to Section 501(c) for definitions of<br />

Page 23 of 89


organizations exempt from state taxation as well. 501(c) organizations can receive<br />

unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, and unions.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most common type of tax-exempt nonprofit organization falls under category<br />

501(c)(3), whereby a nonprofit organization is exempt from federal income tax if its<br />

activities have the following purposes: charitable, religious, educational, scientific,<br />

literary, testing for public safety, fostering amateur sports competition, or preventing<br />

cruelty to children or animals. <strong>The</strong> 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) categories are for politically<br />

active nonprofits, which have become increasingly important since the 2004 presidential<br />

election.<br />

________<br />

Charitable Organizations and Private Foundations<br />

501(c)(3) exemptions apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund,<br />

cooperating association or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious,<br />

charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for testing for public safety, or<br />

to foster national or international amateur sports competition, or for the prevention of<br />

cruelty to children or animals. <strong>The</strong>re are also supporting organizations—often referred<br />

to in shorthand form as "Friends of" organizations.<br />

Another provision, 26 U.S.C. § 170, provides a deduction, for<br />

federal income tax purposes, for some donors who make<br />

charitable contributions to most types of 501(c)(3)<br />

organizations, among others. Regulations specify which such<br />

deductions must be verifiable to be allowed (e.g., receipts for<br />

donations over $250). Due to the tax deductions associated<br />

with donations, loss of 501(c)(3) status can be highly challenging to a charity's<br />

continued operation, as many foundations and corporate matching programs do not<br />

grant funds to a charity without such status, and individual donors often do not donate to<br />

such a charity due to the unavailability of the deduction.<br />

Testing for public safety is described under section 509(a)(4) of the code, which makes<br />

the organization a public charity and not a private foundation, but contributions to<br />

509(a)(4) organizations are not deductible by the donor for federal income, estate, or<br />

gift tax purposes.<br />

<strong>The</strong> two exempt classifications of 501(c)(3) organizations are as follows:<br />

<br />

A public charity, identified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as "not a private<br />

foundation", normally receives a substantial part of its income, directly or<br />

indirectly, from the general public or from the government. <strong>The</strong> public support<br />

must be fairly broad, not limited to a few individuals or families. Public charities<br />

are defined in the Internal Revenue Code under sections 509(a)(1) through<br />

509(a)(4).<br />

Page 24 of 89


A private foundation, sometimes called a non-operating foundation, receives<br />

most of its income from investments and endowments. This income is used to<br />

make grants to other organizations, rather than being disbursed directly for<br />

charitable activities. Private foundations are defined in the Internal Revenue<br />

Code under section 509(a) as 501(c)(3) organizations, which do not qualify as<br />

public charities.<br />

Churches must meet specific requirements in order to obtain and maintain tax exempt<br />

status; these are outlined in IRS Publication 1828: Tax guide for churches and religious<br />

organizations. This guide outlines activities allowed and not allowed by churches under<br />

the 501(c)(3) designation. A private,<br />

nonprofit organization, GuideStar, also<br />

provides information on 501(c)(3)<br />

organizations.<br />

Before donating to a 501(c)(3)<br />

organization, a donor may wish to<br />

consult the searchable online IRS list of<br />

charitable organizations as well as lists that may be maintained by a state on a portion<br />

of its web portal devoted to its "department of justice" or "office of attorney general".<br />

Consumers may file IRS Form 13909 with documentation to complain about<br />

inappropriate or fraudulent (i.e., fundraising, political campaigning, lobbying) activities<br />

by any 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.<br />

Obtaining Status<br />

<strong>The</strong> basic requirement of obtaining tax exempt status is that the organization is<br />

specifically limited in powers to purposes that the IRS classifies as tax exempt<br />

purposes. Unlike for-profit corporations that benefit from broad and general purposes,<br />

non-profit organizations need to be limited in powers to function with tax exempt status,<br />

but a non-profit corporation is by default not limited in powers until it specifically limits<br />

itself in the articles of incorporation and/or nonprofit corporate bylaws. This limiting of<br />

the powers is crucial to obtaining tax exempt status with the IRS and then on the state<br />

level. Organizations acquire 501(c)(3) tax exemption by filing IRS Form 1023. As of<br />

2006 the form must be accompanied by a $850 filing fee if the yearly gross receipts for<br />

the organization are expected to average $10,000 or more. If yearly gross receipts are<br />

expected to average less than $10,000, the filing fee is reduced to $400. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />

some classes of organizations that automatically are treated as tax exempt under<br />

501(c)(3), without the need to file Form 1023:<br />

<br />

<br />

Churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of<br />

churches<br />

Organizations that are not private foundations and that have gross receipts that<br />

normally are not more than $5,000<br />

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<strong>The</strong> IRS also expects to release a software tool called Cyber Assistant, which assists<br />

with preparation of the application for tax exemption, but as of late 2011 the release<br />

date is unclear.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is an alternative way for an organization to obtain status if an organization has<br />

applied for a determination and either there is an actual controversy regarding a<br />

determination or the Internal Revenue Service has failed to make a<br />

determination. In these cases, the<br />

United States Tax Court, the<br />

United States District Court for the District of<br />

Columbia, and the United States Court of<br />

Federal Claims have<br />

concurrent jurisdiction<br />

to issue a declaratory judgment of the<br />

organization's<br />

qualification if the organization<br />

has exhausted administrative remedies with<br />

the Internal Revenue<br />

Service.<br />

Political Activity<br />

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are<br />

prohibited from supporting political candidates,<br />

and are subject to limits on lobbying. <strong>The</strong>y risk<br />

loss of tax exempt status if these rules are<br />

violated. An organization that loses<br />

its 501(c)(3) status due<br />

to being engaged in<br />

political activities cannot then qualify for<br />

501(c)(4) status.<br />

Elections<br />

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are prohibited from conducting political<br />

campaign activities to intervene in elections to public office. <strong>The</strong> Internal Revenue<br />

Service website elaborates upon this prohibition as follows:<br />

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely<br />

prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political<br />

campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.<br />

Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or<br />

written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate<br />

for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity.<br />

Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the<br />

imposition of certain excise taxes.<br />

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and<br />

circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting<br />

public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan<br />

manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other<br />

activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as<br />

Page 26 of 89


voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign<br />

activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.<br />

On the other hand, voter education or registration activities constitute prohibited<br />

participation or intervention if there is evidence of bias that would:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Favor one candidate over another<br />

Oppose a candidate in some manner<br />

Have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates<br />

<strong>The</strong> Internal Revenue Service provides resources to exempt organizations and the<br />

public to help them understand the prohibition. As part of its examination program, the<br />

IRS also monitors whether organizations are complying with the prohibition.<br />

Lobbying<br />

In contrast to the prohibition on political campaign interventions by all section 501(c)(3)<br />

organizations, public charities (but not private foundations) may conduct a limited<br />

amount of lobbying to influence<br />

legislation. Although the law<br />

states that "No substantial part..." of a public charity's<br />

activities can go to lobbying,<br />

charities with large budgets<br />

may lawfully expend a million<br />

dollars (under the<br />

"expenditure" test),<br />

or more (under the "substantial part"<br />

test) per year on<br />

lobbying.<br />

To clarify the standard of the<br />

"substantial part" test, the<br />

United States Congress enacted §501(h), called the<br />

Conable election after its author,<br />

Representative Barber Conable. <strong>The</strong> section<br />

establishes limits based on<br />

operating budget that a<br />

charity can use to determine<br />

if it meets the substantial<br />

test.<br />

This changes the prohibition against direct intervention in partisan contests only for<br />

lobbying. <strong>The</strong> organization is now presumed in compliance with the substantiality test if<br />

they work within the limits.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Conable election requires a charity to file a declaration with the IRS and file a<br />

functional distribution of funds spreadsheet with their Form 990. IRS form 5768 is<br />

required to make the Conable election.<br />

________<br />

Page 27 of 89


Step-by-Step<br />

<strong>Nonprofit</strong> Incorporation Code<br />

Most states have some form of legislated Business Incorporation Code governing the<br />

formation and administration of <strong>Nonprofit</strong> organizations. Georgia <strong>Nonprofit</strong> activities, for<br />

example, are governed by O.C.G.A. §14-3-101, et seq. <strong>The</strong> statute, governs the<br />

formation, operation and dissolution of nonprofit corporations within the state. A<br />

nonprofit corporation in Georgia, as in most other states, is managed by its board of<br />

directors and operated by its officers and employees. Instead of shareholders, a<br />

nonprofit corporation may, but is not required to, have members. <strong>Nonprofit</strong> corporations<br />

are specifically organized not to earn profits. Moreover, no part of the income or surplus<br />

of a Georgia nonprofit corporation may be distributed to its members, directors or<br />

officers; however, reasonable compensation may be paid to employees or consultants<br />

for services rendered.<br />

Articles of Incorporation<br />

<strong>The</strong> Articles of Incorporation are the most fundamental, as well as the beginning, part of<br />

the business creation process. This document specifically enumerates the basics under<br />

which the organization will operate and it provides the foundational standard under<br />

which the business is ultimately held accountable for its corporate actions and operating<br />

processes. <strong>Nonprofit</strong> corporations must be organized exclusively for charitable,<br />

educational, social/human service, and/ or community economic development<br />

purposes.<br />

Organizational By-Laws<br />

By-Laws are a bit more specific. <strong>The</strong>y “zero-in” on Membership, Board of Director<br />

activities, and Policy creation and enforcement within the organization. Board Officers<br />

and Duties are often set forth within the By-Laws, as well as the Amendment<br />

procedures for making organizational policy changes. All Board officers should sign the<br />

By-Laws at or around the time of the organizational meeting to demonstrate<br />

organizational cohesiveness at its inception.<br />

Board of Directors<br />

Board responsibilities can be enormous, depending on the complexity and mission of<br />

the organization being created. Moreover, there may be liability for Board Officers for<br />

which an insurance policy should be obtained. Board Member Terms of Office should<br />

also be addressed with all other initial considerations, and these terms should be<br />

enumerated within the organization’s By-Laws to eliminate any potential confusion or<br />

disagreements following program implementation. A Schedule of Board Meetings<br />

should be set forth in the By-Laws, and a Board Manual should be created and<br />

distributed to each Board Member so that scheduling and expectations are clear to<br />

everyone and advance notice is provided as early in the life of the program as possible.<br />

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Program Staff<br />

Specific personnel need not be named<br />

prior to the submittal of the<br />

501(c)(3) application, however Specific<br />

Positions must be set forth in the<br />

application. In addition, Salaries, Tax<br />

Rates and Benefit Costs must also be<br />

included. And don’t forget that bonuses<br />

and additional compensation items such<br />

as profit sharing, and other such<br />

incentives commonly used as privatesector<br />

motivational techniques, should not<br />

be offered to nonprofit staff members.<br />

<strong>The</strong> bulk of the monies taken in through<br />

donations, grants, etc. should be used for<br />

Service Delivery, Capacity Building,<br />

Community Collaboration, Administration<br />

and Services, and other Pre-Approved<br />

Items and Services.<br />

Conflict of Interest Policy<br />

<strong>The</strong> purpose of the Conflicts policy is to<br />

protect the organization’s interest when entering into any arrangement that could<br />

potentially or directly benefit a private interest of an officer or director, or result in an<br />

“excess benefit” transaction. Such transactions are specifically prohibited by State and<br />

Federal statutes.<br />

Program Narrative<br />

<strong>The</strong> Program Narrative is perhaps the most challenging part of the 501(c)(3) process. It<br />

sets forth in great detail precisely how the program will operate, including both<br />

background for its existence as well as day-to-day operations and procedures. <strong>The</strong><br />

more clearly and specific this section of the application is developed, the greater the<br />

likelihood of unhindered approval at the federal level.<br />

Organizational Budget<br />

A great Program Budget will match and support all aspects of the Program Narrative<br />

and the activities set forth in the narrative. It must be painstakingly developed, and it<br />

must be carried out to the letter in order to avoid even an appearance of impropriety at<br />

the Corporate level. Ideally, once developed, the Program Budget should be reviewed<br />

by a finance expert, such as an Attorney or CPA for both approval and also to initiate<br />

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the basis for annual financial audits, which will greatly enhance the organizations ability<br />

to attract ongoing and re-occurring funding.<br />

IRS Form 1023<br />

<strong>The</strong> Application for Exemption itself is not overly complicated, however the responses to<br />

particular questions, and the financial projections that must be disclosed must be<br />

accurate.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y must also agree with and support the activities set forth in the Program Narrative<br />

and Budget sections. Moreover, there are generally twelve (12) relevant pages with<br />

questions that must be meticulously addressed, and, depending upon the type of<br />

organization being created and exempted, there are specific Schedules that may have<br />

to be completed as well.<br />

Planned Fundraising Activities<br />

Finally, it’s important that you disclose all of your intended methods for raising funds.<br />

Below is a partial, but by no means exhaustive, list of fundraising activities that most<br />

nonprofits and churches engage in on a regular basis.<br />

Planned Fundraising activities should always include, but by no means be limited to, the<br />

following: Government Grant Writing; Foundation Grant Development; Website<br />

Donation Solicitations; Events; E-Mail Solicitations (where permitted); Mail solicitations<br />

(where permitted); and Other solicitations as planned periodically.<br />

Application Fees<br />

Application fees for the 501(c)(3) application has been streamlined. <strong>The</strong> current<br />

processing fee is $650.00 US.<br />

Processing a 501(c)(3) application can take several months, and in some cases, more<br />

than a year. Generally speaking, however, the greater the effort at the inception of the<br />

program, the less likely there will be delays in successfully processing the application<br />

once the process has been initiated.<br />

For these reasons, it is strongly recommended and advised that you seek the help and<br />

advice of a professional when processing your 501(c)(3) application. Doing so should<br />

not only help to insure a successful application, it can also greatly minimize the time it<br />

will take to get the application processed and approved.<br />

________<br />

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Transformative Community Engagement<br />

and Multidisciplinary Collaboration<br />

Transformative Community<br />

Engagement refers to the process<br />

by which community benefit organizations<br />

and individuals build ongoing, permanent<br />

relationships for the purpose of applying<br />

a collective vision for the benefit of a<br />

community. While community organizing<br />

involves the process of building a<br />

grassroots movement involving<br />

communities, community engagement<br />

primarily deals with the practice of<br />

moving said communities towards<br />

change, usually from a stalled or<br />

otherwise similarly suspended position.<br />

Community engagement can trace its<br />

roots to the concept of community<br />

benefit, a term that grew out of an English<br />

common law concept, articulated in an<br />

1891 legal decision that defined four<br />

types of charitable organizations: trusts<br />

for the advancement of education; trusts<br />

for the advancement of religion; and<br />

trusts for other purposes beneficial to the community.<br />

As community benefit became an important method of institutionalizing ideals, methods<br />

evolved to effectively reach the communities those entities were meant to aid. This led<br />

to the birth of community organizing, which as far as the United States is concerned,<br />

gained momentum over time beginning in the late 1800s. Practitioners of community<br />

engagement runs the gamut, from local community members to professionals such as<br />

business developers or social workers. Additionally, they can be specific to issues, such<br />

as grassroots organizers focusing on economic justice, or rehabilitation counselors<br />

focusing on disability-related issues.<br />

Methodologies of community engagement are a result of problems in the current<br />

community benefit administrative structure, where governing boards of community<br />

projects become unable to continue convincing either themselves or the community to<br />

further the projects they became involved in. This may be due to "incorrect aiming of<br />

accountability for problems in the governing board, overzealous micromanagement of<br />

resources, a collectively dysfunctional board, poor board / staff relations or<br />

unsatisfactory organizational planning." Because of these overlaying problems,<br />

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community members themselves are also directly influenced and therefore similarly<br />

hindered in regards to change within their specific regions of development.<br />

Civic engagement refers to political activity, membership and volunteering in civil<br />

society organizations. Social engagement refers to participation in collective activities.<br />

Community engagement refers to the process by which community benefit<br />

organizations and individuals build ongoing, permanent relationships for the purpose of<br />

applying a collective vision for the benefit of a community.<br />

Practical community engagement is used as an active<br />

method of implementing change. While most current<br />

standards implore more static means through standard<br />

marketing techniques, community engagement<br />

involves actively implementing a specific process<br />

towards activism such as the 8-step guideline listed<br />

below developed by Hildy Gottlieb of Creating the<br />

Future. While the process may have similarities to<br />

a controversial form of friendraising, the emphasis<br />

in community engagement is that of honest<br />

relationship building for the sake of community, not<br />

for the sole purpose of money-making.<br />

<strong>The</strong> steps are:<br />

1. Determine the goals of the plan<br />

2. Plan out who to engage<br />

3. Develop engagement strategies for those individuals you already know<br />

4. Develop engagement strategies of those individuals you do not already know<br />

5. Prioritize those activities<br />

6. Create an implementation plan<br />

7. Monitor your progress<br />

8. Maintain those relationships<br />

Other programs exist to assist communities in the process of building community<br />

coalitions for engagement. One such program is Communities That Care which helps<br />

communities assess their needs and implement tested and effective programs to<br />

address their identified issues.<br />

Key Concepts<br />

Community engagement may involve the use of particular key concepts relevant to the<br />

community benefit sector such as:<br />

<br />

<br />

Friendraising<br />

Community impact planning<br />

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Community-driven governance<br />

Asset-based resource development<br />

Vision-based community impact planning<br />

Organizational wellness planning<br />

Building programs on shared resources<br />

Community sleuthing<br />

Community-based program development<br />

________<br />

Organizational Development<br />

and Sustainability<br />

Is <strong>Nonprofit</strong> Sustainability A Reality? 7<br />

<strong>The</strong> nonprofit landscape is changing and<br />

you’re faced with a real challenge. You<br />

want to create impact and build a<br />

sustainable future for your nonprofit. But is<br />

it really possible? Experts say, yes! In fact,<br />

Jeanne Bell, Jan Masaoka and Steve<br />

Zimmerman, authors of <strong>Nonprofit</strong><br />

Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions<br />

for Financial Viability, say that when<br />

nonprofits begin to understand how to<br />

bring programmatic goals together with<br />

financial goals, they’ll start to make<br />

decisions that lead to organizational<br />

sustainability.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se experts say that sustainable<br />

nonprofits follow these core principles:<br />

1. Financial<br />

Sustainability. Sustainable<br />

nonprofits always tie impact goals<br />

to financial goals. Remember, fiscal<br />

health and the maintenance of<br />

adequate working capital is as<br />

intrinsic to success over the long term as community impact is.<br />

2. Effective Management of Hybrid Revenue Strategies. <strong>Nonprofit</strong>s today are<br />

supported by diverse sources. Many nonprofits are looking at alternative<br />

revenue-producing models to mitigate funding cuts. Management of hybrid<br />

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strategies can be a challenge. For this reason, different financial goals must be<br />

set for different revenue streams and each must be managed in a different way.<br />

3. Development of An Explicit <strong>Nonprofit</strong> Business Model. Strategic business<br />

decisions can’t be made without an existing business model. For this reason,<br />

every nonprofit needs to develop a viable business strategy that brings together<br />

all of the organization’s activities under the umbrella of the organization’s<br />

mission. In the nonprofit world, programmatic impact strategies will be a<br />

significant part of the business model. But each activity should be associated not<br />

only with an impact strategy but also a revenue strategy. Thus, the sustainable<br />

nonprofit has a “dual bottom-line” – impact and financial return.<br />

4. Continuous Decision-Making. Today’s nonprofits face unprecedented<br />

challenges. Evaluation, assessment and continuous decision-making are<br />

necessary for survival and success when change is constant.<br />

You should also keep in mind that succession planning is also a critical aspect of<br />

sustainability because it ensures that staff, leadership and board members don’t take<br />

critical knowledge and relationships with them when they leave.<br />

________<br />

What <strong>Nonprofit</strong> Functions Are [Typically]<br />

Most In Need of Strengthening?<br />

<strong>Nonprofit</strong>s are typically organized into<br />

major functional areas, such as:<br />

central administration, governance,<br />

and programming. To be sustainable<br />

over the long term, each functional<br />

area must operate efficiently and<br />

effectively and take its place as part of<br />

the whole.<br />

<strong>The</strong> problem arises when cutbacks,<br />

programmatic shifts, changing funder<br />

and donor needs and the like, take the<br />

stage. In such cases, resourcestrapped<br />

nonprofits are stretched too<br />

thin. As a result, less essential<br />

functions may become neglected and<br />

begin to weaken.<br />

This, in turn, affects the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission.<br />

According to a recent study by the Weingart Foundation, today’s nonprofits identify the<br />

following functions as most in need of attention:<br />

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Board Leadership and Development<br />

<strong>The</strong> need for a strong nonprofit board cannot be overstated. Board members connect<br />

the community with an organization’s mission, vision and values. As stewards, they<br />

educate the community about the organization’s work and they support the organization<br />

with resources needed to fulfill its mission. <strong>The</strong>y hold the organization accountable, and<br />

provide fiscal oversight. Many nonprofits are struggling to recruit members who can help<br />

move their mission forward and, once recruited, they are unsure of how to keep boards<br />

active and participating. For tips on keeping your board engaged, see Boards and<br />

Governance.<br />

Program Evaluation and Strategic Learning<br />

<strong>Nonprofit</strong>s recognize the need to regularly assess and evaluate programs and<br />

operations in order to better target to their constituency, maintain morale and keep their<br />

organizations energized. Unfortunately, many of these nonprofits are simply<br />

overwhelmed keeping programs running. As a result they forgo the evaluation and<br />

learning opportunities necessary to help build a more sustainable operation. To learn<br />

about how you can easily incorporate program evaluation and strategic learning into<br />

your nonprofit, read Strategic Planning and Evaluation.<br />

Human Resource Development<br />

<strong>Nonprofit</strong>s need to focus on leadership transition. <strong>The</strong>y need to find new ways to recruit<br />

and cultivate “next generation” organizational leaders. <strong>The</strong>y also need to build capacity<br />

to recruit and keep talent and supply the technical resources necessary to carry out<br />

their work. To learn about strengthening your HR function, see Managing People.<br />

Financial Management<br />

<strong>Nonprofit</strong>s need to build the financial capacity necessary to maintain organizational<br />

stability. And financial viability is key. A stable nonprofit is able to adapt to changing<br />

environments and more effectively serve the community. To learn about building<br />

financial capacity, read Finance.<br />

Fundraising<br />

Though nonprofits and their boards often understand the impact of fundraising in<br />

maintaining a strong, sustainable organization, they may think that bringing more dollars<br />

in the door is the single answer to their problems. As a result, they underemphasize the<br />

need to integrate fundraising with marketing and communications, board governance,<br />

evaluation, HR and financial management. In Fundraising, and Marketing &<br />

Communications, you’ll learn more about amplifying fundraising and communications by<br />

building strong functions in every area.<br />

Page 35 of 89


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III. Planning<br />

Strategic Planning<br />

Strategic Planning is an<br />

organization's process of defining its<br />

strategy, or direction, and making<br />

decisions on allocating its resources to<br />

pursue this strategy, including its capital<br />

and people. Various business analysis<br />

techniques can be used in strategic<br />

planning, including:<br />

1. SWOT analysis (Strengths,<br />

Weaknesses, Opportunities, and<br />

Threats);<br />

2. PEST analysis (Political,<br />

Economic, Social, and<br />

Technological);<br />

3. STEER analysis (Socio-cultural,<br />

Technological, Economic,<br />

Ecological, and Regulatory<br />

factors); and<br />

4. EPISTEL (Environment, Political,<br />

Informatic, Social, Technological, Economic and Legal).<br />

Strategic planning is the formal consideration of an organization's future course. All<br />

strategic planning deals with at least one of three key questions:<br />

1. "What do we do?"<br />

2. "For whom do we do it?"<br />

3. "How do we excel?"<br />

In business strategic planning, some authors phrase the third question as "How can we<br />

beat or avoid competition?". (Bradford and Duncan, page 1). But this approach is more<br />

about defeating competitors than about excelling.<br />

In many organizations, this is viewed as a process for determining where an<br />

organization is going over the next year or - more typically - 3 to 5 years (long term),<br />

although some extend their vision to 20 years.<br />

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In order to determine where it is going, the organization needs to know exactly where it<br />

stands, then determine where it wants to go and how it will get there. <strong>The</strong> resulting<br />

document is called the "strategic plan."<br />

While strategic planning may be used to effectively plot a company's longer-term<br />

direction, one cannot use it to reliably forecast how the market will evolve and what<br />

issues will surface in the immediate future. <strong>The</strong>refore, strategic innovation and tinkering<br />

with the 'strategic plan' have to be a cornerstone strategy for an organization to survive<br />

the turbulent business climate.<br />

Evidence-Based Programming<br />

<strong>The</strong> Importance of Evidence Based<br />

Social Interventions<br />

Non-governmental and governmental organizations worldwide implement programs to<br />

combat social problems, including poverty and lack of adequate health care. However,<br />

the programs are often designed and executed based on assumptions rather than<br />

based on data and facts. In her TED talk entitled “Social Experiments to Fight Poverty,”<br />

MIT economist Esther Duflo compares the implementation of social programs that are<br />

not evidence based to the use of leeches by doctors in the medieval period.<br />

Doctors used leeches due to prevailing assumptions about the body and illness during<br />

that period. Sometimes the leeches worked, but they were oftentimes ineffective. In<br />

some cases, the leeches caused blood loss that exacerbated the patient’s condition.<br />

Centuries later, evidence-based medicine and rigorous analysis became central to<br />

medical practice. Until recently, social policies and interventions have been developed<br />

and implemented based on assumptions rather than evidence. Evidence-based [Social<br />

Interventions] are [now] essential.<br />

<strong>The</strong> nonprofit organization Innovations For Poverty Action further explains that “Two<br />

voids exist in developmental policy: insufficient incorporation of results from social<br />

science research, and insufficient evaluation (in particular, replication of studies) to<br />

learn concretely what works, what does not, and why.”<br />

Some organizations and research centers have recently begun conducting evaluations<br />

of various interventions to determine their efficacy in practice rather than in theory.<br />

<strong>The</strong>ir overall goal is to positively influence the design and implementation of policies<br />

and programs by international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and<br />

governments.<br />

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Design of Evaluations and Sample Interventions<br />

When developing new interventions or programs, it is important for program<br />

implementers to utilize existing research to determine “how people make financial<br />

decisions, adopt new technology, use social networks to help survive crises, respond to<br />

incentives, decide how much education to acquire, etc.” This application of academic<br />

theory is needed to develop sample interventions. Evans et al. note that “Better<br />

understanding of the barriers (at the<br />

person, family and provider level) is<br />

essential before strategies can be<br />

devised, and these strategies need to be<br />

evaluated carefully. Only then can we<br />

know if we are doing more good than<br />

harm and spending limited resources<br />

wisely.” Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action<br />

Lab in Boston integrates social and<br />

behavioral sciences and public health<br />

research, which were previously primarily<br />

confined to academia, into policy design.<br />

This type of important research allows<br />

program designers and implementers to<br />

determine the expected efficiency,<br />

effectiveness, and potential impact of a<br />

new program idea prior to implementation.<br />

After a program has been implemented, it<br />

is crucial to implement ongoing<br />

assessments and evaluations.<br />

Randomized evaluations, which are used<br />

extensively by the Abdul Latif Jameel<br />

Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), are a type of<br />

impact evaluation. A randomized evaluation may also be known as randomized<br />

controlled trials, social experiments, random assignment studies, randomized field trials,<br />

and randomized controlled experiments. J-PAL emphasizes that randomized study<br />

designs provide the most accurate, unbiased, and reliable statistics out of all other<br />

impact evaluation options. In order to determine a program’s impact, it is essential to<br />

have a randomly-selected control group of participants who are statistically identical to<br />

the experimental group. Both of the groups are considered microcosms of the larger<br />

population and therefore equal in representation to each other. When applying this<br />

design, any changes between the control and experimental group can be attributed<br />

almost solely to the effects of the program. For more information on randomization and<br />

reliable data, see Validity of Research and Quality Health Data.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Purpose of Evaluation<br />

Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab discusses the goals of evaluation: "If thoughtfully<br />

designed and implemented, it [randomized evaluation] can answer the questions, how<br />

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effective was it? Were there unintended side-effects? Who benefitted most? Who was<br />

harmed? Why did it work or not work? What lessons can be applied to other contexts,<br />

or if the program was scaled up? How cost-effective was the program? How does it<br />

compare to other programs designed to accomplish similar goals?"<br />

After randomized evaluations have been conducted on test interventions and have<br />

answered these chief questions, the results can be utilized by program designers and<br />

program implementers. Based on the research and considerations of context,<br />

policymakers can decide which interventions are best to scale up. Evidence-based<br />

social interventions maximize positive social outcomes and ensure that policies and<br />

programs are effective rather than harmful to the target population. Foreign aid<br />

interventions illustrate the necessity of both of these goals. For generations, the debate<br />

on foreign aid has been wrought with controversy, mostly because evidence has not<br />

been developed or analyzed to assess impact. For example, Duflo notes that we do not<br />

know whether Africa would be better off now if we had given more aid or less aid since<br />

1970. Without supporting evidence, implementation of policies and interventions can<br />

be a waste of resources or worse, exacerbate social problems.<br />

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an interdisciplinary approach to clinical practic that<br />

has been gaining ground following its formal introduction in 1992. It started in medicine<br />

as evidence-based medicine (EBM) and spread to other fields such as dentistry,<br />

nursing, psychology, education, library and information science. Its basic principles are<br />

that 1) all practical decisions should be made based upon research studies and 2) that<br />

these research studies are to be selected and interpreted according to some specific<br />

norms characteristic for EBP. Typically such norms disregard both theoretical and<br />

qualitative studies and consider quantitative studies according to a narrow set of criteria<br />

of what counts as evidence. If such a narrow set of methodological criteria are not<br />

applied, it is considered better just to speak instead of research based practice.<br />

Evidence-based behavioral practice (EBBP) "entails making decisions about how to<br />

promote health or provide care by integrating the best available evidence with<br />

practitioner expertise and other resources, and with the characteristics, state, needs,<br />

values and preferences of those who will be affected. This is done in a manner that is<br />

compatible with the environmental and organizational context. Evidence is research<br />

findings derived from the systematic collection of data through observation and<br />

experiment and the formulation of questions and testing of hypotheses".<br />

Empirically supported treatments (ESTs) in some clinical settings are defined as "clearly<br />

specified psychological treatments shown to be efficacious in controlled research with a<br />

delineated population"<br />

Social Policy<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are increasing demands for the whole range of social policy and other decisions<br />

and programs run by government and the NGO sector to be based on sound evidence<br />

as to their effectiveness. This has seen an increased emphasis on the use of a wide<br />

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ange of Evaluation approaches directed at obtaining evidence about social programs of<br />

all types. A research collaboration called the Campbell Collaboration has been set up in<br />

the social policy area to provide evidence for evidence-based social policy decisionmaking.<br />

This collaboration follows the approach pioneered by the Cochrane<br />

Collaboration in the health sciences. Using an evidence-based approach to social policy<br />

has a number of advantages because it has the potential to decrease the tendency to<br />

run programs which are socially acceptable (e.g. drug education in schools) but which<br />

often prove to be ineffective when evaluated.<br />

Data-Driven Resource Allocation<br />

Data-Informed Decision-Making (DIDM)<br />

DDDM refers to the collection and<br />

analysis of data to guide decisions that<br />

improve success. DIDM is used in<br />

education communities (where data is<br />

used with the goal of helping students)<br />

but is also applicable to (and thus also<br />

used in) other fields in which data is used<br />

to inform decisions. While data-driven<br />

decision-making is a more common term,<br />

data-informed decision-making is a<br />

preferable term since decisions should<br />

not be based solely on quantitative data.<br />

Most educators have access to a data<br />

system for the purpose of analyzing<br />

student data. <strong>The</strong>se data systems<br />

present data to educators in an over-thecounter<br />

data format (embedding labels,<br />

supplemental documentation, and a help<br />

system, making key package/display and<br />

content decisions) to improve the success<br />

of educators’ data-informed decisionmaking.<br />

Decision making has long been a subject of study and given the explosive growth of Big<br />

Data over the past decade, it’s not surprising that data-driven decision making is one of<br />

the most promising applications in the emerging discipline of data science.<br />

In a recently published article, “Data Science and its Relationship to Big Data and Data-<br />

Driven Decision Making,” Foster Provost and Tom Fawcett define data-driven decision<br />

making as “the practice of basing decisions on the analysis of data rather than purely on<br />

intuition.” Equally succinctly, they view data science “as the connective tissue between<br />

data-processing technologies (including those for big data) and data-driven decision<br />

making.”<br />

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One of the biggest challenges in leveraging data science to help make complex<br />

strategic decisions is to mistakenly assume that an unordered, unpredictable, complex<br />

context is in fact an ordered, predicable complicated one. “This assumption, grounded<br />

in the Newtonian science that underlies scientific management, encourages<br />

simplifications that are useful in ordered circumstances. Circumstances change,<br />

however, and as they become more complex, the simplifications can fail. Good<br />

leadership is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.”<br />

Neither is good data-driven decision making. With operational decisions, we have to<br />

learn to distinguish between those situations when decisions can be embedded in<br />

automated processes, and those that require human intervention. With strategic<br />

decisions we have to learn the difference between complicated but predictable contexts,<br />

and complex and intrinsically unpredictable ones. This is all part of what makes data<br />

science such an important and exciting discipline.<br />

- Irving Wladawsky-Berger<br />

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IV. Sustainability & Compliance<br />

Economic Emancipation<br />

and Fundraising<br />

Just as Reverend Leon H. Sullivan once<br />

embraced the idea of Economic<br />

Emancipation for people of color, we<br />

must now embrace its logical extension,<br />

Economic Emancipation for our<br />

Community and Faith-Based<br />

organizations, many of which arose out<br />

of the very movement embraced by our<br />

predecessors, in order to help them<br />

more fully fulfill their manifest destinies.<br />

During the most recent recession, many<br />

of our charitable organizations suffered<br />

near-fatal setbacks. Most have yet to<br />

fully recover, and, unfortunately, some<br />

will not ever recover. But there are<br />

important lessons-learned in order to<br />

prevent the same thing from happening<br />

all over again one day. And as we move<br />

forward, we must now help them not only<br />

to recover, but learn to thrive as well,<br />

even in the aftermath of the devastating<br />

losses. We must help these<br />

organizations break the dependency on government funding and develop their own<br />

ability to operate and raise funds independently, while simultaneously helping them<br />

learn to “think outside the box” with regard to their sustainability and survival.<br />

This project is designed to do exactly that. It is a natural extension of the Sullivan<br />

movement of the prior eras when those individuals who pressed-forward to achieve their<br />

own economic emancipation evolved their causes, as well as their communities, into<br />

powerful forces, economically, which are right now under attack and in imminent danger<br />

of being eradicated right out of existence.<br />

- Jack Johnson<br />

______<br />

“<strong>The</strong> genius of America has been in the nation’s ability to solve our greatest problems:<br />

whether it be in the expansion of frontiers, the building of cities, or putting a man on the<br />

moon. In the past there has been no problem too great for America to solve.”<br />

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- Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan<br />

A New American Alliance<br />

(Speech given at the 8 th annual OIC Convocation, Washington, DC)<br />

Alternatives to Despair, p.82 (1972)<br />

______<br />

In tackling any problem, our objective should be to deal with depth causes...<br />

But we must go deeper still. Our need is to reach further and further down, deeper even<br />

than OIC. Millions of Americans must be reached in the briefest period of time in a<br />

massive, carefully expedited program of adult incentive education...<br />

- Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan<br />

AAE: Americanizing America<br />

Build Brother Build, p.143 (1969)<br />

________<br />

Best Practices and Accountability<br />

A Best Practice is a method or technique that has been generally accepted as<br />

superior to any alternatives because it produces results that are superior to those<br />

achieved by other means or because it has become a standard way of doing things,<br />

e.g., a standard way of complying with legal or ethical requirements.<br />

Best practices are used to maintain quality as an alternative to mandatory legislated<br />

standards and can be based on self-assessment or benchmarking. Best practice is a<br />

feature of accredited management standards such as ISO 9000 and ISO 14001.<br />

Some consulting firms specialize in the area of best practice and offer pre-made<br />

templates to standardize business process documentation. Sometimes a best practice<br />

is not applicable or is inappropriate for a particular organization's needs. A key strategic<br />

talent required when applying best practice to organizations is the ability to balance the<br />

unique qualities of an organization with the practices that it has in common with others.<br />

Good operating practice is a strategic management term. More specific uses of the term<br />

include good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practice, good laboratory<br />

practice, good clinical practice and good distribution practice.<br />

But Will It Work Here?<br />

<strong>The</strong> final step in identifying an appropriate best practice for a policy problem is to ensure<br />

that the context from which the practice is derived is comparable to the context in which<br />

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Charity/<strong>Nonprofit</strong> Sector<br />

it will be applied. Risks to implementing<br />

the selected best practice in the applied<br />

context as well as what support<br />

structures can be put in place need to be<br />

anticipated in order to maximize the<br />

likelihood of success. If utilizing a pilot or<br />

demonstration program "best practice"<br />

the success of that practice needs to be<br />

discounted in order to account for the<br />

better than average favorable conditions<br />

pilot and demonstration programs usually<br />

operate under. <strong>The</strong>se conditions include<br />

increased enthusiasm, advantageous<br />

political and economic conditions, and<br />

less bureaucratic resistance due to the<br />

lack of permanency in pilot programs.<br />

Finally, when considering implementing a<br />

"best practice" on a wide scale one must<br />

be aware of the weakest link sites with<br />

minimal to no resources and how those<br />

sites will be supported in order to create<br />

the desired policy outcomes.<br />

<strong>The</strong> nonprofit/voluntary sector is generally lacking tools for sharing and accessing best<br />

practices. Steps are being taken in some parts of the world, for example in the<br />

European Union, where the Europe 2020 Strategy has as a top priority the exchange of<br />

good practices and networking (including the nonprofit sector).<br />

An initiative of sharing good practices in terms of human resources (HR) and leadership<br />

among European nonprofit organizations was financed by the EU and launched in 2013,<br />

called HR Twinning. <strong>The</strong> platform allows the public to search for good practices and its<br />

members the possibility to share their practices, engage in discussions in the forum<br />

section and enroll their organization. Membership is free. <strong>The</strong> project is currently limited<br />

to a European audience.<br />

________<br />

Compliance<br />

In general, compliance means conforming to a rule, such as a specification, policy,<br />

standard or law. Regulatory compliance describes the goal that organizations aspire<br />

to achieve in their efforts to ensure that they are aware of and take steps to comply with<br />

relevant laws and regulations.<br />

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Due to the increasing number of regulations and need for operational transparency,<br />

organizations are increasingly adopting the use of consolidated and harmonized sets of<br />

compliance controls. This approach is used to ensure that all necessary governance<br />

requirements can be met without the unnecessary duplication of effort and activity from<br />

resources.<br />

Standards and Regulations<br />

<strong>The</strong> International Organization for Standardization (ISO) produces international<br />

standards such as ISO/IEC_27002. <strong>The</strong> International Electro-technical Commission<br />

(IEC) produces international standards in the electro-technology area. <strong>The</strong> ISO<br />

19600:2014 standard provides a reminder of how compliance and risk should operate<br />

together, as “colleagues” sharing a common framework with some nuances to account<br />

for their differences.<br />

Some local or international specialized organizations such as the American Society of<br />

Mechanical Engineers (ASME) also develop standards and regulation codes. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

thereby provide a wide range of rules and directives to ensure compliance of the<br />

products to safety, security or design standards.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are a number of other regulations which apply in different fields, such as PCI-<br />

DSS, GLBA, FISMA, Joint Commission and HIPAA. In some cases other compliance<br />

frameworks (such as COBIT) or standards (NIST) inform on how to comply with the<br />

regulations.<br />

USA<br />

Corporate scandals and breakdowns such as the Enron case of reputational risk in<br />

2001 have highlighted the need for stronger compliance and regulations for publicly<br />

listed companies. <strong>The</strong> most significant regulation in this context is the Sarbanes–Oxley<br />

Act developed by two U.S. congressmen, Senator Paul Sarbanes and Representative<br />

Michael Oxley in 2002 which defined significantly tighter personal responsibility of<br />

corporate top management for the accuracy of reported financial statements.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is an agency of the United States<br />

Department of the Treasury under the auspices of the Under Secretary of the Treasury<br />

for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. OFAC administers and enforces economic and<br />

trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against<br />

targeted foreign states, organizations, and individuals.<br />

Compliance in the USA generally means compliancy with laws and regulations. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

laws can have criminal or civil penalties or can be regulations. <strong>The</strong> definition of what<br />

constitutes an effective compliance plan has been elusive. Most authors, however,<br />

continue to cite the guidance provided by the United States Sentencing Commission in<br />

Chapter 8 of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.<br />

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On October 12, 2006, the U.S. Small Business Administration re-launched<br />

Business.gov (new Business.USA.gov) which provides a single point of access to<br />

government services and information that help businesses comply with government<br />

regulations.<br />

Challenges<br />

Data retention is a part of regulatory<br />

compliance that is proving to be a<br />

challenge in many instances. <strong>The</strong><br />

security that comes from compliance<br />

with industry regulations can seem<br />

contrary to maintaining user privacy.<br />

Data retention laws and regulations ask<br />

data owners and other service<br />

providers to retain extensive records of<br />

user activity beyond the time necessary<br />

for normal business operations. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

requirements have been called into<br />

question by privacy rights advocates.<br />

Compliance in this area is becoming<br />

very difficult. Laws like the CAN-SPAM<br />

Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act in the<br />

U.S. require that businesses give<br />

people the “right to be forgotten.” In<br />

other words, they must remove<br />

individuals from marketing lists if it is<br />

requested, tell them when and why they might share personal information with a third<br />

party, or at least ask permission before sharing that data. Now, with new laws coming<br />

out that demand longer data retention despite the individual’s desires, it can create<br />

some real difficulties.<br />

Definitions<br />

Compliance data is defined as all data belonging or pertaining to enterprise or included<br />

in the law, which can be used for the purpose of implementing or validating compliance.<br />

It is the set of all data that is relevant to a governance officer or to a court of law for the<br />

purposes of validating consistency, completeness, or compliance. Compliance software<br />

is increasingly being implemented to help companies manage their compliance data<br />

more efficiently.<br />

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Page 48 of 89


V. Critical Thinking<br />

for Transformative Social Impact<br />

Paradigm Shifting<br />

and Change Management<br />

Critical Thinking<br />

Disciplined thinking that is clear, rational,<br />

open-minded, and informed by evidence.<br />

- Dictionary.com<br />

________<br />

<strong>The</strong> National Council for Excellence in<br />

Critical Thinking defines it as the<br />

intellectually disciplined process of actively<br />

and skillfully conceptualizing, applying,<br />

analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating<br />

information gathered from, or generated by,<br />

observation, experience, reflection,<br />

reasoning, or communication, as a guide to<br />

belief and action.<br />

Critical thinking is a rich concept that has<br />

been developing throughout the past 2500<br />

years. <strong>The</strong> term "Critical Thinking" has its<br />

roots in the mid-late 20th century. [<strong>The</strong>re<br />

are] overlapping definitions [that] form a<br />

substantive, trans-disciplinary conception of<br />

critical thinking.<br />

Critical Thinking as Defined by<br />

<strong>The</strong> National Council for Excellence in<br />

Critical Thinking (1987)<br />

A statement by Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, presented at the 8th Annual<br />

International Conference on Critical Thinking and Education Reform (Summer 1987)<br />

Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully<br />

conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information<br />

gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or<br />

communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on<br />

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universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy,<br />

precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and<br />

fairness.<br />

It entails the examination of those structures or elements of thought implicit in all<br />

reasoning: purpose, problem, or question-at-issue; assumptions; concepts; empirical<br />

grounding; reasoning leading to conclusions; implications and consequences;<br />

objections from alternative viewpoints; and frame of reference.<br />

Critical thinking — in being responsive to variable subject matter, issues, and<br />

purposes — is incorporated in a family of interwoven modes of thinking, among them:<br />

scientific thinking, mathematical thinking, historical thinking, anthropological thinking,<br />

economic thinking, moral thinking, and philosophical thinking.<br />

Critical thinking can be seen as having two components:<br />

1. A set of information and belief generating and processing skills, and<br />

2. <strong>The</strong> habit, based on intellectual commitment, of using those skills to guide<br />

behavior.<br />

It is thus to be contrasted with:<br />

1. <strong>The</strong> mere acquisition and retention of information alone, because it involves a<br />

particular way in which information is sought and treated;<br />

2. <strong>The</strong> mere possession of a set of skills, because it involves the continual use of them;<br />

and<br />

3. <strong>The</strong> mere use of those skills ("as an exercise") without acceptance of their results.<br />

Critical thinking varies according to the motivation underlying it. When grounded in<br />

selfish motives, it is often manifested in the skillful manipulation of ideas in service of<br />

one’s own, or one's groups’, vested interest. As such it is typically intellectually flawed,<br />

however pragmatically successful it might be. When grounded in fair-mindedness and<br />

intellectual integrity, it is typically of a higher order intellectually, though subject to the<br />

charge of "idealism" by those habituated to its selfish use.<br />

Critical thinking of any kind is never universal in any individual; everyone is subject to<br />

episodes of undisciplined or irrational thought. Its quality is therefore typically a matter<br />

of degree and dependent on, among other things, the quality and depth of experience in<br />

a given domain of thinking or with respect to a particular class of questions. No one is a<br />

critical thinker through-and-through, but only to such-and-such a degree, with<br />

such-and-such insights and blind spots, subject to such-and-such tendencies<br />

towards self-delusion.<br />

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For this reason, the development of critical thinking skills and dispositions is a life-long<br />

endeavor.<br />

Another Brief Conceptualization of Critical Thinking<br />

Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the<br />

highest level of quality in a fair-minded way.<br />

People who think critically consistently attempt to live rationally, reasonably, empathically.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y are keenly aware of the inherently flawed nature of human thinking when left<br />

unchecked. <strong>The</strong>y strive to diminish the power of their egocentric and sociocentric<br />

tendencies. <strong>The</strong>y use the intellectual tools that critical thinking offers – concepts and<br />

principles that enable them to analyze, assess, and improve thinking. <strong>The</strong>y work<br />

diligently to develop the intellectual virtues of intellectual integrity, intellectual humility,<br />

intellectual civility, intellectual empathy, intellectual sense of justice and confidence in<br />

reason. <strong>The</strong>y realize that no matter how skilled they are as thinkers, they can always<br />

improve their reasoning abilities and they will at times fall prey to mistakes in reasoning,<br />

human irrationality, prejudices, biases, distortions, uncritically accepted social rules and<br />

taboos, self-interest, and vested interest. <strong>The</strong>y strive to improve the world in whatever<br />

ways they can and contribute to a more rational, civilized society. At the same time,<br />

they recognize the complexities often inherent in doing so. <strong>The</strong>y avoid thinking<br />

simplistically about complicated issues and strive to appropriately consider the rights and<br />

needs of relevant others. <strong>The</strong>y recognize the complexities in developing as thinkers,<br />

and commit themselves to life-long practice toward self-improvement. <strong>The</strong>y embody the<br />

Socratic principle: <strong>The</strong> unexamined life is not worth living , because they realize that<br />

many unexamined lives together result in an uncritical, unjust, dangerous world.<br />

Why Critical Thinking?<br />

<strong>The</strong> Problem<br />

- Linda Elder, September, 2007<br />

Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is<br />

biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our life<br />

and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our<br />

thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in<br />

thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.<br />

A Definition<br />

Critical thinking is that mode of thinking - about any subject, content, or problem - in<br />

which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of<br />

the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Result<br />

A well cultivated critical thinker:<br />

<br />

Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;<br />

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Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it<br />

effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them<br />

against relevant criteria and standards;<br />

Thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and<br />

Assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical<br />

consequences; and<br />

Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex<br />

problems.<br />

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and selfcorrective<br />

thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and<br />

mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving<br />

abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.<br />

- Richard Paul and Linda Elder: <strong>The</strong> Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and<br />

Tools<br />

Foundation for Critical Thinking Press, 2008<br />

Critical Thinking Defined<br />

by Edward Glaser<br />

In a seminal study on critical thinking and education in 1941, Edward Glaser defines<br />

critical thinking as follows “<strong>The</strong> ability to think critically, as conceived in this volume,<br />

involves three things:<br />

1. An attitude of being disposed to consider in a thoughtful way the problems and<br />

subjects that come within the range of one's experiences;<br />

2. Knowledge of the methods of logical inquiry and reasoning; and<br />

3. Some skill in applying those methods.<br />

Critical thinking calls for a persistent effort to examine any belief or supposed form of<br />

knowledge in the light of the evidence that supports it and the further conclusions to<br />

which it tends. It also generally requires ability to recognize problems, to find workable<br />

means for meeting those problems, to gather and marshal pertinent information, to<br />

recognize unstated assumptions and values, to comprehend and use language with<br />

accuracy, clarity, and discrimination, to interpret data, to appraise evidence and<br />

evaluate arguments, to recognize the existence (or non-existence) of logical<br />

relationships between propositions, to draw warranted conclusions and generalizations,<br />

to put to test the conclusions and generalizations at which one arrives, to reconstruct<br />

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one's patterns of beliefs on the basis of wider experience, and to render accurate<br />

judgments about specific things and qualities in everyday life.<br />

- Edward M. Glaser, An Experiment in the Development of Critical Thinking,<br />

Teacher’s College, Columbia University, 1941)<br />

________<br />

Inner-Cities Strategic<br />

Revitalization Planning<br />

Revitalization<br />

Neighborhood Revitalization starts at the<br />

grassroots level — with people in the<br />

community determining the goals for their<br />

neighborhood.<br />

______<br />

It is defined as the process of making<br />

something grow, develop, or become<br />

successful again (e.g. A new indoor<br />

sports arena has played a key role in the<br />

revitalization of its neighborhood).<br />

- Cambridge Dictionaries Online<br />

“Neighborhood Revitalization is the<br />

way of the future and is an essential<br />

element of [our] work. By focusing on<br />

entire neighborhoods, we can greatly<br />

increase our impact.”<br />

— Jonathan Reckford, CEO,<br />

Habitat for Humanity International<br />

Revitalization of Our Inner-Cities Can Transform Our Culture<br />

- by Scruffus<br />

“It is only when the basic needs are met that culture can thrive. Revitalization of our<br />

inner-cities is the innovation that will allow for maximum cultural growth in this country.<br />

Making sure that all Americans have access to opportunity and technology will ensure<br />

future generations of city dwellers do not live in poverty. By investing in these areas,<br />

developers and businesses are investing in the base of this country. Music, art and the<br />

sciences require a healthy, vibrant, and supportive community and the work being done<br />

to rebuild our inner cities is essential to our culture[s] as a whole.”<br />

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Spanning the Delaware River, the “Trenton Makes” Bridge in giant neon red letters<br />

proclaims to all, "Trenton Makes, <strong>The</strong> World Takes.". Hearkening back to the time<br />

when Trenton was a center of manufacture, these days the sign seems a bit of an<br />

anachronism. Trenton and many other American cities have decayed to the point that<br />

they are shells of their former selves. Businesses and people slowly disappeared from<br />

American cities over the decades since the sixties. No longer centers of thriving<br />

industry, they are now crime-ridden, politically corrupt, and decaying. Despite this, cities<br />

are now the focus of revitalization efforts. If done properly, revitalization can be a way to<br />

alleviate the poverty and crime suffered in many American inner cities. Revitalization is<br />

a recent innovation that takes advantage of the existing enterprise and infrastructure in<br />

cities and tries to bring value back to the community there. Efforts to revitalize cities<br />

meet with varied success.<br />

It is important to elevate the standard of living for the existing community, not<br />

just shove it aside in the pursuit of a gentrified city. Giving the existing people a<br />

chance at independence raises the standard of living for all residents in the city<br />

and preserves the rich heritage and character of the city.<br />

In the effort to attract people back to the cities, revitalization increases the<br />

independence of all Americans, utilizes existing infrastructure, and encourages cultural<br />

growth.<br />

One cannot speak of a city's and a people's<br />

independence without speaking of their economic<br />

independence. <strong>The</strong> ability of people to obtain jobs<br />

and meet their basic needs is a huge determinant<br />

of how well that people's culture will flourish. It is<br />

difficult to pursue the arts or education if one is<br />

impoverished. <strong>The</strong> rebuilding of inner cities can<br />

raise the quality of life for many Americans by<br />

bringing businesses that provide jobs and<br />

opportunity back to the cities. Also, a city that has<br />

a thriving business community has a healthy tax<br />

base to support its public education system. <strong>The</strong><br />

public school is an integral part of revitalization.<br />

Providing students with a high-quality, technologybased<br />

education prepares them to become<br />

successful, contributing citizens. Inner city school<br />

systems are notorious for their high dropout rates<br />

and general difficulty in producing good students.<br />

By revitalizing inner cities, parents are given<br />

access to jobs and can provide a better home environment for their children.<br />

<strong>The</strong> use of existing infrastructure in revitalization efforts reduces suburban sprawl.<br />

Areas that were long ago developed for housing and business are made attractive<br />

through remodeling, which is less costly and environmentally destructive than building<br />

new homes in the suburbs. Encouraging city living also encourages use of mass transit<br />

Page 54 of 89


systems, decreasing reliance on the automobile. Our current culture is very much<br />

entwined with the automobile. Reduction of our reliance on automobiles is beneficial in<br />

reducing pollutants. Additionally, inner cities have often been characterized as food<br />

deserts, where nutritious, low-cost food is difficult to find because large supermarkets<br />

refuse to build there. Hopefully with the influx of jobs and money to the cities,<br />

supermarkets will follow. Bringing new life to cities will definitely improve the options<br />

available to all residents there.<br />

Cities are where culture, technology and the arts can flourish. <strong>The</strong> exchange of ideas<br />

and open-mindedness to these ideas occurs because of the cosmopolitan nature of<br />

cities. By renewing interest in our cities, we can create dynamic centers of innovation<br />

and technology that are not found in our suburbs. Suburban living has long been cliched<br />

to have sapped the creativity and vitality from our society. <strong>The</strong>re is a grain of truth to<br />

this. Suburbanites often do not meet their neighbors and spend a great deal of time<br />

driving to their destinations. Urban areas, by design, force people to interact with their<br />

surroundings. It is this interaction that allows the acceptance of new ideas that build up<br />

culture.<br />

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Page 56 of 89


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Attachment A<br />

501c3 Compliance Guide<br />

(rev. 3-2018 (p4221pc))<br />

Page 59 of 89


01(c)(3)<br />

Tax Exempt and Government Entities<br />

EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS<br />

01(c)(3)<br />

Compliance Guide<br />

for 501(c)(3)<br />

Public Charities,<br />

Inside:<br />

Activities that may jeopardize<br />

01(c)(3)<br />

a charity’s exempt status,<br />

Federal information returns, tax<br />

returns or notices that must be filed,<br />

Recordkeeping—why, what, when,<br />

Governance considerations,<br />

Changes to be reported to the IRS,<br />

01(c)(3)<br />

Required public disclosures,<br />

Resources for public charities,


Contents<br />

What Activities May Jeopardize a<br />

Public Charity’s Tax-Exempt Status? ......................................................................................4<br />

Private Benefit and Inurement ......................................................................................................4<br />

Political Campaign Intervention ...................................................................................................4<br />

Legislative Activities .....................................................................................................................7<br />

What Federal Information Returns,<br />

Tax Returns and Notices Must be Filed? ...............................................................................8<br />

Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990-EZ,<br />

Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax and Form 990-N,<br />

Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not Required To<br />

File Form 990 or 990-EZ ..............................................................................................................8<br />

Form 990 and Form 990-EZ ....................................................................................................... 10<br />

Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not<br />

Required to File Form 990 or 990-EZ ........................................................................................ 11<br />

Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return ............................................. 12<br />

1<br />

Employment Tax Returns ........................................................................................................... 13<br />

Why Keep Records? .....................................................................................................................14<br />

Evaluate Charitable Programs .................................................................................................... 15<br />

Monitor Budgetary Results ........................................................................................................ 15<br />

Prepare Financial Statements .................................................................................................... 15<br />

Prepare Annual Information and Tax Returns ............................................................................ 15<br />

Identify Sources of Receipts ...................................................................................................... 15<br />

Substantiate Revenues, Expenses and Deductions<br />

for Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) Purposes ............................................................... 15<br />

Comply with Grant-Making Procedures (Grants to Individuals) ............................................... 16<br />

Comply with Racial Nondiscrimination Requirements (Private Schools) ................................. 16<br />

What Records Should be Kept? ...............................................................................................16<br />

Accounting Periods and Methods ............................................................................................. 18<br />

Supporting Documents .............................................................................................................. 18<br />

How Long Should Records be Kept? .....................................................................................18<br />

Record Retention Periods .......................................................................................................... 19


What Governance Procedures and Practices Should<br />

an Organization Consider Adopting or Have In Place? ...................................................19<br />

Mission Statement and Organizational Documents .................................................................. 19<br />

Governing Body .......................................................................................................................... 19<br />

Governance and Management Policies .....................................................................................20<br />

Financial Statements and Information Reporting ......................................................................20<br />

Transparency ..............................................................................................................................20<br />

How Should Changes be Reported to the IRS? ................................................................ 20<br />

Reporting Changes on the Annual Information Return .............................................................20<br />

Determination Letters and Private Letter Ruling Requests .......................................................20<br />

What Disclosures are Required? ............................................................................................ 21<br />

Public Inspection of Annual Returns and Exemption Applications .......................................... 21<br />

Sale of Free Government Information ........................................................................................23<br />

Charitable Contributions—Substantiation and Disclosure .......................................................23<br />

How Do You Get IRS Assistance and Information? ......................................................... 25<br />

2<br />

Specialized Assistance for Tax-Exempt Organizations .............................................................25<br />

Tax Publications for Exempt Organizations ...............................................................................26<br />

Forms for Exempt Organizations ...............................................................................................26<br />

General IRS Assistance ..............................................................................................................27


Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3)<br />

Public Charities<br />

Federal tax law provides tax benefits to nonprofit organizations recognized as exempt<br />

from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). <strong>The</strong> IRC<br />

requires that tax-exempt organizations must comply with federal tax law to maintain tax-exempt<br />

status and avoid penalties.<br />

3<br />

In this publication, the IRS addresses activities that could jeopardize a public charity’s<br />

tax-exempt status. It identifies general compliance requirements on recordkeeping, reporting<br />

and disclosure for exempt organizations described in IRC Section 501(c)(3) that are classified<br />

as public charities. This publication is neither comprehensive nor intended to address every<br />

situation.<br />

To learn more about compliance rules and procedures that apply to public charities exempt<br />

from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), see IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status<br />

for Your Organization, and the Life Cycle of a Public Charity. Also, stay abreast of new EO<br />

information by signing up for the Exempt Organizations Update, a free e-newsletter for<br />

tax-exempt organizations and tax practitioners who represent them. For further assistance,<br />

consult a tax adviser.


What Activities May Jeopardize a<br />

Public Charity’s Tax-Exempt Status?<br />

Once a public charity has completed the application process and has established<br />

that it is exempt under Section 501(c)(3), the charity’s officers, directors, trustees and<br />

employees must ensure that the organization maintains its tax-exempt status and<br />

meets its ongoing compliance responsibilities.<br />

A 501(c)(3) public charity that does not restrict its participation in certain activities<br />

and does not absolutely refrain from others, risks failing the operational test and<br />

jeopardizing its tax-exempt status. <strong>The</strong> following summarizes the limitations on the<br />

activities of public charities.<br />

Private Benefit and Inurement<br />

A public charity is prohibited from allowing more than an insubstantial accrual of<br />

private benefit to individuals or organizations. This restriction is to ensure that a taxexempt<br />

organization serves a public interest, not a private one. If a private benefit is<br />

more than incidental, it could jeopardize the organization’s tax-exempt status.<br />

No part of an organization’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of an insider. An<br />

insider is a person who has a personal or private interest in the activities of the<br />

organization such as an officer, director or a key employee. This means that an<br />

organization is prohibited from allowing its income or assets to accrue to insiders.<br />

An example of prohibited inurement would include payment of unreasonable<br />

compensation to an insider. Any amount of inurement may be grounds for loss of taxexempt<br />

status.<br />

4<br />

If a public charity provides an economic benefit to any person who is able to<br />

exercise substantial influence over its affairs (that exceeds the value of any goods<br />

or services provided in consideration), the organization has engaged in an excess<br />

benefit transaction. A public charity that engages in an excess benefit transaction<br />

must report it to the IRS. Excise taxes are imposed on any person who engages in<br />

an excess benefit transaction with a public charity, and on any organization manager<br />

who knowingly approves the transaction. (See Reporting Excess Benefit<br />

Transactions on page 11).<br />

A public charity that becomes aware that it may have engaged in an excess benefit<br />

transaction should consult a tax advisor and take appropriate action to avoid any<br />

potential impact it could have on the organization’s tax-exempt status. Visit<br />

www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits for details about inurement, private benefit and<br />

excess benefit transactions.<br />

Political Campaign Intervention<br />

Public charities are prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening<br />

in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective<br />

public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of


position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of, or in<br />

opposition to, any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against<br />

political campaign activity. Violation of this prohibition may result in revocation of<br />

tax-exempt status and/or imposition of certain excise taxes.<br />

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts<br />

and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including<br />

the presentation of public forums and the publication of voter education guides)<br />

conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political<br />

campaign activity. Other activities intended to encourage people to participate in<br />

the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would<br />

not constitute prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan<br />

manner. On the other hand, voter education or registration activities conducted in<br />

a biased manner that favors one candidate over another, opposes a candidate in<br />

some manner or has the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will<br />

constitute prohibited campaign intervention.<br />

<strong>The</strong> political campaign activity prohibition is not intended to restrict free<br />

expression on political matters by leaders of public charities speaking for<br />

themselves as individuals. However, for their organizations to remain tax exempt<br />

under Section 501(c)(3), organization leaders cannot make partisan comments in<br />

official organization publications or at official functions. When speaking in a nonofficial<br />

capacity, these leaders should clearly indicate that their comments are<br />

personal, and not intended to represent the views of the organization.<br />

5<br />

Some Section 501(c)(3) organizations take positions on public policy issues,<br />

including issues that divide candidates in an election for public office. However,<br />

Section 501(c)(3) organizations must avoid any issue advocacy that functions as<br />

political campaign intervention. Even if a statement does not expressly tell an<br />

audience to vote for or against a specific candidate, an organization delivering the<br />

statement is at risk of violating the political campaign intervention prohibition if<br />

there is any message favoring or opposing a candidate. A statement can identify<br />

a candidate not only by stating the candidate’s name but also by other means<br />

such as showing a picture of the candidate, referring to political party affiliations<br />

or other distinctive features of a candidate’s platform or biography. All the facts<br />

and circumstances need to be considered to determine if the advocacy is political<br />

campaign intervention.<br />

<strong>The</strong> IRS considers the following factors that tend to show an advocacy<br />

communication is political campaign activity:<br />

■■ whether the statement identifies one or more candidates for a given<br />

public office,<br />

■■ whether the statement expresses approval or disapproval for one or more<br />

candidates’ positions and/or actions,<br />

■■ whether the statement is delivered close in time to the election,


■■ whether the statement refers to voting or an election,<br />

■■ whether the issue addressed in the communication has been raised as an<br />

issue distinguishing candidates for a given office,<br />

■■ whether the communication is part of an ongoing series of communications by<br />

the organization on the same issue that are made independent of the timing of<br />

any election, and,<br />

■■ whether the timing of the communication and identification of the candidate<br />

are related to a non-electoral event such as a scheduled vote on specific<br />

legislation by an officeholder who also happens to be a candidate for public<br />

office.<br />

A communication is particularly at risk of political campaign intervention when it<br />

refers to candidates or voting in a specific upcoming election. Nevertheless, the<br />

communication must still be considered in context before arriving at any conclusions.<br />

Political candidates may be invited to appear or speak at organization events in<br />

their capacity as candidates, or in their individual capacity (not as a candidate).<br />

Candidates may also appear without an invitation at organization events that are<br />

open to the public.<br />

When candidates are invited to speak at a public charity’s event in their capacity<br />

as political candidates, factors in determining whether the organization participated<br />

or intervened in a political campaign include:<br />

■■ whether the public charity provides an equal opportunity to participate to the<br />

political candidates seeking the same office,<br />

■■ whether the public charity indicates any support of, or opposition to, the<br />

candidate (including candidate introductions and communication concerning<br />

the candidate’s attendance), and<br />

■■ whether any political fundraising occurs.<br />

6<br />

When a candidate is invited to speak at a public charity’s event in a non-candidate<br />

capacity, factors in determining whether the candidate’s appearance results in a<br />

political campaign intervention for the organization include:<br />

■■ whether the individual is chosen to speak solely for reasons other than<br />

candidacy for public office,<br />

■■ whether the individual speaks only in a non-candidate capacity or references<br />

his or her candidacy or the election,<br />

■■ whether the individual or any representative of the organization makes any<br />

mention of the individual’s candidacy or the election,<br />

■■ whether any campaign activity occurs in connection with the individual’s<br />

appearance,<br />

■■ whether the organization maintains a nonpartisan atmosphere on the premises<br />

or at the event where the individual is present, and<br />

■■ whether the organization clearly indicates the capacity in which the individual<br />

is appearing and does not mention the individual’s political candidacy or<br />

the upcoming election in the communications announcing the indivdual’s<br />

attendance at the event.


In determining whether candidates are given an equal opportunity to participate,<br />

the nature of the event to which each candidate is invited, should be considered<br />

in addition to the manner of presentation. For example, a public charity that<br />

invites one candidate to speak at its well-attended annual banquet, but invites the<br />

opposing candidate to speak at a sparsely attended general meeting, will likely<br />

violate the political campaign prohibition, even if the manner of presentation for<br />

both speakers is otherwise neutral.<br />

Sometimes a public charity invites several candidates to speak at a public forum.<br />

A public forum involving several candidates for public office may qualify as an<br />

exempt educational activity. However, if the forum is operated to show a bias for<br />

or against any candidate, then the forum would be prohibited campaign activity, as<br />

it would be considered intervention or participation in a political campaign. When<br />

an organization invites several candidates for the same office to speak at a forum,<br />

determining whether the forum results in political campaign intervention include:<br />

■■ whether questions for the candidate are prepared and presented by an<br />

independent nonpartisan panel;<br />

■■ whether the topics discussed by the candidates cover a broad range of issues<br />

that the candidates would address if elected to the office sought and are of<br />

interest to the public;<br />

■■ whether each candidate is given an equal opportunity to present his or her<br />

views on the issues discussed;<br />

■■ whether the candidates are asked to agree or disagree with positions,<br />

agendas, platforms or statements of the organization; and<br />

■■ whether a moderator comments on the questions or otherwise implies<br />

approval or disapproval of the candidates.<br />

7<br />

Revenue Ruling 2007-41 provides additional information on the prohibition against<br />

political campaign intervention.<br />

Legislative Activities<br />

A public charity is not permitted to engage in substantial legislative activities<br />

(commonly known as lobbying). An organization will be regarded as attempting<br />

to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or<br />

employees of a legislative body for purposes of proposing, supporting or opposing<br />

legislation, or advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.<br />

If lobbying activities are substantial, a 501(c)(3) organization may fail the operational<br />

test and risk losing its tax-exempt status and/or be liable for excise taxes.<br />

Substantiality is measured by either the substantial part test or the expenditure<br />

test. <strong>The</strong> substantial part test determines substantiality based on all the facts and<br />

circumstances in each case. <strong>The</strong> IRS considers a variety of factors, including the<br />

time devoted (by both compensated and volunteer workers) and expenditures<br />

devoted by the organization to the activity, when determining whether the lobbying<br />

activity is substantial.<br />

As an alternative, a public charity (other than a church) may elect to use the<br />

expenditure test by filing Form 5768, Election/Revocation of Election by an Eligible


Section 501(c)(3) Organizations To Make Expenditures To Influence Legislation.<br />

Under the expenditure test, the extent of a public charity’s lobbying activities will<br />

not jeopardize its tax-exempt status, provided its expenditures, related to the<br />

activities do not normally exceed a set amount specified in IRC Section 4911. This<br />

limit is generally based on the size of the organization and may not exceed $1<br />

million.<br />

Also, under the expenditure test, a public charity that engages in excessive<br />

lobbying activity over a four-year period may lose its tax-exempt status, making<br />

all its income for that period subject to tax. Should the organization exceed its<br />

lobbying expenditure dollar limit in a year, it must pay an excise tax equal to<br />

25 percent of the excess. Visit the Life Cycle of a Public Charity for additional<br />

information about the rules against substantial legislative activities.<br />

Public charities that engage in lobbying activities must report lobbying activities on<br />

Form 990, Schedule C, Political Campaign and Lobbying Activities.<br />

What Federal Information Returns,<br />

Tax Returns and Notices Must be Filed?<br />

While 501(c)(3) public charities are exempt from federal income tax, most of these<br />

organizations have information reporting obligations under the IRC to ensure that<br />

they continue to be recognized as tax-exempt. In addition, they may also be liable<br />

for employment taxes, unrelated business income tax, excise taxes and certain<br />

state and local taxes.<br />

8<br />

Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form<br />

990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income<br />

Tax and Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt<br />

Organizations Not Required To File Form 990 or 990-EZ<br />

Public charities generally file either a:<br />

■■<br />

Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax,<br />

■■ Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, or<br />

■■<br />

Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not<br />

Required To File Form 990 or 990-EZ.<br />

<strong>The</strong> type of Form 990 series return a public charity must file is generally<br />

determined by the organization’s financial activity as indicated in the chart below.<br />

Filing Dates<br />

Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-N must be filed by the 15th day of the fifth month<br />

after the end of the organization’s tax year. <strong>The</strong> due date for the Forms 990<br />

and 990-EZ may be automatically extended for six months by filing Form 8868,<br />

Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File an Exempt Organization<br />

Return, before the due date.<br />

An organization cannot request an extension for filing the Form 990-N; however,<br />

there is no penalty for filing it late.<br />

See Filing Penalties and Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status on page 12.


Gross Receipts Thresholds,<br />

Gross receipts normally ≤ $50,000,<br />

Form<br />

to File,<br />

990-N,<br />

Gross receipts < $200,000<br />

990-EZ<br />

and Total assets < $500,000, or 990,<br />

Gross receipts ≥ $200,000 or Total assets ≥ $500,000 990,<br />

Filing Exceptions<br />

Public charities not required to file an annual information return<br />

include certain:<br />

■■ religious organizations;<br />

■■ governmental organizations;<br />

■■ political organizations;<br />

■■ organizations that file different kinds of annual information returns;<br />

■■ subordinate organizations included in a group return filed by the central<br />

organization; and<br />

■■ organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less and,<br />

therefore, are eligible to file an annual electronic notice (see Form 990-N,<br />

Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not Required<br />

To File Form 990 or 990-EZ on page 11).<br />

If a public charity is excepted from filing a Form 990 or Form 990-EZ because<br />

annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less, and it elects to file the Form<br />

990 or Form 990-EZ, it must complete the entire return. An organization that only<br />

completes those items of information on the Form 990 or Form 990-EZ that are<br />

required to be provided on an electronic Form 990-N will not be deemed to have<br />

met its electronic notice requirement.<br />

9<br />

Special Requirements for Supporting<br />

Organizations and Donor Advised Funds<br />

Public charities that are supporting organizations described in Section 509(a)(3) must<br />

file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ even if their gross receipts are normally $50,000<br />

or less. Supporting organizations of certain religious organizations need not file<br />

Form 990 or Form 990-EZ if their gross receipts are normally $5,000 or less. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

organizations must, however, file the Form 990-N.<br />

Supporting organizations must indicate whether they are a Type I, Type II or Type III<br />

(and Functionally or Non-Functionally Integrated) supporting organization, identify<br />

their supported organizations and annually certify that they are not directly or<br />

indirectly controlled by a disqualified person. See the instructions for Schedule A<br />

(Form 990 or Form 990-EZ), Public Charity Status and Public Support, and Notice<br />

2006-109 to determine an organization’s appropriate supporting organization<br />

type for information return purposes. For a brief overview of the requirements for<br />

qualification as a supporting organization and the different types of supporting<br />

organization, see Publication 557 and www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits.


Sponsoring organizations of donor advised funds (defined as organizations that<br />

maintain one or more donor advised funds), and organizations that have controlled<br />

entities must file Form 990, not Form 990-EZ, if required to file an annual<br />

information return for the year.<br />

Form 990 and Form 990-EZ<br />

Form 990 consists of a core form and schedules. Each organization that files the<br />

form must complete the entire core form. <strong>The</strong> core Form 990 includes a Summary<br />

Page that provides a “snapshot” of the organization’s key financial and operating<br />

information for the current and prior year.<br />

All Form 990 filers will provide information about their program service<br />

accomplishments, compensation of certain officers, directors and key employees<br />

as well as information about governance practices and procedures and financial<br />

information.<br />

Each organization that files Form 990 must complete Part IV of Form 990,<br />

Checklist of Required Schedules, to determine which schedules it must complete<br />

based on its activities. See the instructions for Form 990-EZ for information about<br />

which schedules 990-EZ filers must complete.<br />

Schedule A, Public Charity Status and Public Support, and<br />

Schedule B, Schedule of Contributors<br />

Public charities that file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ must file Schedule A, Public<br />

Charity Status and Public Support.<br />

10<br />

A new IRC Section 501(c)(3) organization will be classified as a public charity, and<br />

not a private foundation, during its first five years if it can show when it applies for<br />

tax-exempt status that it can reasonably expect to be publicly supported.<br />

<strong>The</strong> IRS will monitor a new organization’s public charity status after the first five<br />

years of existence based on the public support information reported annually by<br />

the organization on Schedule A based on a five-year computation period that<br />

includes the current year and the four prior years (including short years).<br />

Beginning with the organization’s sixth year and for all succeeding years, if an<br />

organization meets the public support test on Schedule A, the organization<br />

qualifies as a public charity for its current year and the next tax year.<br />

If a publicly supported charity fails the public support test for two consecutive<br />

years, it will be reclassified as a private foundation.<br />

See Publication 4220, Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status, for details on the<br />

distinctions between public charities and private foundations.<br />

Most public charities that received contributions of $5,000 or more from any one<br />

contributor must file Schedule B, Schedule of Contributors. See Part IV, line 2 of<br />

Form 990 and the instructions to Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ) for complete<br />

instructions.


Also, see www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits for additional information about other<br />

schedules that a public charity may be required to complete based on the nature<br />

of its activities.<br />

Reporting Excess Benefit Transactions<br />

If a public charity believes it provided an excess benefit to a person who is able<br />

to exercise substantial influence over the organization’s affairs, it must report<br />

the transaction on Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. Excess benefit transactions are<br />

governed by IRC Section 4958. See Appendix G of the Form 990 Instructions for a<br />

discussion of Section 4958, and Schedule L, Part I, regarding reporting of excess<br />

benefit transactions.<br />

Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt<br />

Organizations Not Required To File Form 990 or 990-EZ<br />

Any public charity that is not required to file Form 990 or 990-EZ because its<br />

annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less must instead file Form 990-N,<br />

Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not Required To File<br />

Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. Exceptions to this requirement include organizations<br />

that are included in a group return; churches, their integrated auxiliaries and<br />

conventions or associations of churches; and organizations required to file a<br />

different return.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Form 990-N is due by the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of the<br />

organization’s tax year. For example, if your organization’s tax year ends on<br />

December 31, the Form 990-N is due May 15 of the following year. <strong>The</strong> e-Postcard<br />

cannot be filed until the organization’s tax year ends.<br />

<strong>The</strong> form must be completed and filed electronically. <strong>The</strong>re is no paper form.<br />

An organization is required to provide the following information on Form 990-N:<br />

■■ legal name,<br />

■■ any other names the organization uses,<br />

■■ mailing address,<br />

■■ website address (if applicable),<br />

■■ employer identification number (EIN), also known as a taxpayer identification<br />

number (TIN),<br />

■■ name and address of a principal officer,<br />

■■ annual tax year,<br />

■■ confirmation that the organization’s annual gross receipts are $50,000 or less,<br />

and<br />

■■ if applicable, a statement that the organization has terminated or is terminating<br />

(going out of business).<br />

Read Filing Penalties and Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status below on the<br />

consequences for failure to file this annual electronic notice<br />

11


FILING PENALTIES AND REVOCATION OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS<br />

If a Form 990 or Form 990-EZ is not filed, the IRS may assess penalties on the organization of $20 per<br />

day until it is filed. This penalty also applies when the filer fails to include required information or to show<br />

correct information. <strong>The</strong> penalty for failure to file a return or a complete return may not exceed the lesser of<br />

$10,000 or 5 percent of the organization’s gross receipts. For an organization that has gross receipts of over<br />

$1 million for the year, the penalty is $100 a day up to a maximum of $50,000. <strong>The</strong> IRS may impose penalties<br />

on organization managers who do not comply with a written demand that the information be filed.<br />

IRC Section 6033(j) provides that failure to file Form 990, Form 990-EZ or Form 990-N for three consecutive<br />

years results in revocation of tax-exempt status as of the filing due date for the third return. An organization<br />

whose exemption is revoked under this section must apply for reinstatement by filing a new application<br />

and paying a user fee, whether or not the organization was originally required to file for exemption.<br />

Reinstatement of exemption may be retroactive if the organization shows that the failure to file was for<br />

reasonable cause.<br />

E-Filing Requirements<br />

Public charities with $10 million or more in total assets and that also file at least 250<br />

returns in a calendar year (including income, excise, employment tax and information<br />

returns such as Forms W-2 and 1099) must electronically file Form 990. Other public<br />

charities are given a choice to file Form 990 electronically.<br />

Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return<br />

12<br />

A public charity must file a Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax<br />

Return, if it has $1,000 or more of gross income from an unrelated trade or business<br />

during the year. Net income from income-producing activities is taxable if the<br />

activities:<br />

■■ constitute a trade or business,<br />

■■ are regularly carried on, and<br />

■■ are not substantially related to the organization’s exempt purpose.<br />

Examples of unrelated business income may include income from advertising in<br />

publications, income from gaming (except for income from traditional bingo under<br />

certain circumstances) and income from the sale of merchandise unrelated to the<br />

organization’s exempt purpose. Whether an income-producing activity is an unrelated<br />

trade or business activity depends on all the facts and circumstances. For more<br />

information, see IRS Publication 598, Tax on Unrelated Business Income of Exempt<br />

Organizations.<br />

<strong>The</strong> public charity must pay quarterly estimated tax on unrelated business income<br />

if it expects its tax for the year to be $500 or more. Form 990-W, Estimated Tax on<br />

Unrelated Business Taxable Income for Tax-Exempt Organizations, is a worksheet to<br />

determine the amount of estimated tax payments required.


FORM 990-T FILING PENALTIES<br />

An organization may be subject to interest and penalty charges if it files a late return, fails to pay tax when<br />

due, or fails to pay estimated tax, if required, even if it did not expect its tax for the year to be $500 or more.<br />

Exceptions and Special Rules<br />

Income from certain trade or business activities is excepted from the definition<br />

of unrelated business income. Earnings from these sources are not subject to<br />

the unrelated business income tax. Exceptions generally include business<br />

income from:<br />

■■ activities, including fundraisers, that are conducted by volunteer workers, or<br />

where donated merchandise is sold;<br />

■■ activities conducted by a charitable organization or by a governmental college<br />

or university for the convenience of members, students, patients or employees;<br />

■■ qualified conventions and trade shows;<br />

■■ qualified sponsorship activities; and<br />

■■ qualified bingo activities.<br />

Income from investments and other “passive” activities is usually excluded from<br />

the calculation of unrelated business taxable income. Examples of this type of<br />

income include earnings from routine investments such as certificates of deposit,<br />

savings accounts, or stock dividends; royalties; certain rents from real property;<br />

and certain gains or losses from the sale of property.<br />

13<br />

Special rules apply to income derived from real estate or other investments<br />

purchased with borrowed funds. This income is called “debt-financed” income.<br />

Unrelated debt-financed income generally is subject to the unrelated business<br />

income tax.<br />

To learn about unrelated business income, see Publication 598, Form 990-T<br />

instructions and Form 990-W instructions.<br />

Employment Tax Returns<br />

Like other employers, all public charities that pay wages to employees must withhold,<br />

deposit and pay employment tax, including federal income tax withholding<br />

and Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes. A public charity must withhold<br />

federal income tax from employee wages and pay FICA on each employee paid<br />

$100 or more in wages during a calendar year. To know how much income tax<br />

to withhold, a public charity should have a Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding<br />

Allowance Certificate, on file for each employee. Employment taxes are reported<br />

on Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return.<br />

If the IRS has instructed a small employer (one who has withheld employment taxes<br />

of $1,000 or less during the year) to file Form 944, Employer’s Annual Federal Tax<br />

Return, instead of Form 941, the employer must do so. <strong>The</strong> employer must file Form


944 even if there is no tax due or if the taxes exceed $1,000 unless the IRS tells it<br />

to file Form 941 (or it is filing a final return). <strong>The</strong> instructions for Form 944 provides<br />

information on how to have the filing requirement changed from Form 944 to Form<br />

941.<br />

Any person who fails to withhold and pay employment tax may be subject to<br />

penalties. Public charities do not pay federal unemployment (FUTA) tax.<br />

Public charities do not generally have to withhold or pay employment tax on<br />

payments to independent contractors, but they may have information reporting<br />

requirements. If a charity incorrectly classifies an employee as an independent<br />

contractor, it may be held liable for employment taxes for that worker.<br />

<strong>The</strong> requirements for withholding, depositing, reporting and paying employment<br />

taxes are explained in Publication 15, (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide. For<br />

help in determining if workers are employees or independent contractors, see<br />

Publication 15-A, Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide. Publication 557 covers<br />

the employment tax responsibilities of public charities.<br />

Employment Taxes and Churches<br />

Although churches are excepted from filing Form 990, they do have employment<br />

tax responsibilities. Employees of churches or church-controlled organizations are<br />

subject to income tax withholding, but may be exempt from FICA taxes. Like other<br />

501(c)(3) organizations, churches are not required to pay FUTA tax. In addition,<br />

although ministers generally are common-law employees, they are not treated as<br />

employees for employment tax purposes. <strong>The</strong>se special employment tax rules<br />

for members of the clergy and religious workers are explained in Publication 517,<br />

Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy and Religious<br />

Workers. Churches also should consult Publications 15 and 15-A and Publication<br />

1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations.<br />

14<br />

Why Keep Records?<br />

In general, a public charity must maintain books and records to show that it complies<br />

with tax rules. <strong>The</strong> charity must be able to document the sources of receipts<br />

and expenditures reported on Form 990 or Form 990-EZ and Form 990-T. (See<br />

Prepare Annual Information and Tax Returns on page 15.)<br />

If an organization does not keep required records, it may not be able to show that it<br />

qualifies for tax-exempt status or should be classified as a public charity. Thus, the<br />

organization may lose its tax-exempt status or be classified as a private foundation<br />

rather than a public charity. In addition, a public charity may be unable to complete<br />

its returns accurately and, therefore, may be subject to penalties described under<br />

Filing Penalties and Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status on page 12. When good<br />

recordkeeping systems are in place, a public charity can evaluate the success of its<br />

programs, monitor its budget and prepare its financial statements and returns.


Evaluate Charitable Programs<br />

A charity can use records to evaluate the success of its charitable program and<br />

determine whether the organization is achieving desired results. Good records<br />

can also help a charity identify problem areas and determine what changes it may<br />

need to make to improve performance.<br />

Monitor Budgetary Results<br />

Without proper financial records, it is difficult for a charity to assess whether it has<br />

been successful in adhering to budgetary guidelines. <strong>The</strong> ability to monitor income<br />

and expenses and ensure that the organization is operating within its budget is<br />

crucial to successful stewardship of a public charity.<br />

Prepare Financial Statements<br />

It is important to maintain sufficient financial information to prepare accurate and<br />

timely annual financial statements. A charity may need these statements when it is<br />

working with banks, creditors, contributors and funding organizations. Some states<br />

require charities to make audited financial statements publicly available.<br />

Prepare Annual Information and Tax Returns<br />

Records must support income, expenses and credits reported on Form 990 series<br />

and other tax returns. Generally, these are the same records used to monitor programs<br />

and prepare financial statements. Books and records of public charities<br />

must be available for inspection by the IRS. If the IRS examines a public charity’s<br />

returns, the organization must have records to explain items reported. Having a<br />

complete set of records will speed up the examination.<br />

15<br />

Identify Sources of Receipts<br />

Public charities may receive money or property from many sources. With thorough<br />

recordkeeping, a charity can identify the sources of receipts. Organizations need<br />

this information to separate program from non-program receipts, taxable from<br />

non-taxable income and to complete Schedule A, as well as other schedules of the<br />

Form 990 the organization may be required to complete, noted in What Federal<br />

Information Returns, Tax Returns and Notices Must be Filed? on page 8. An<br />

organization should maintain a list of its donors and grantors and the amount<br />

of cash contributions or grants (or a description of the noncash contributions)<br />

received from each.<br />

Substantiate Revenues, Expenses and Deductions<br />

for Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) Purposes<br />

An organization needs to keep records of revenues derived from, and expenses<br />

attributable to, an unrelated trade or business so that it can properly prepare Form<br />

990-T and calculate its unrelated business taxable income.


Comply with Grant-Making Procedures (Grants to Individuals)<br />

A public charity that makes grants to individuals must keep adequate records and<br />

case histories to demonstrate that the grants serve its charitable purposes. Case<br />

histories on grants to individuals should show names, addresses, purposes of<br />

grants, manner of selection and relationship (if any) that the recipient has with any<br />

members, officers, trustees or donors of the organization. Schedule I of Form 990<br />

and instructions provides more information about appropriate records required to<br />

report on grants made within the United States. See also Schedule F of Form 990<br />

for information about records required to report on foreign grants.<br />

Comply with Racial Nondiscrimination Requirements (Private Schools)<br />

Private schools must keep records that show they have complied with<br />

requirements relating to racial nondiscrimination, including annual publication of<br />

a racially nondiscriminatory policy through newspaper or broadcast media to the<br />

general community served. For more information, see Schedule E of Form 990.<br />

What Records Should be Kept?<br />

Except in a few cases, the law does not require a special kind of record. A public<br />

charity can choose any recordkeeping system, suited to its activities, that clearly<br />

shows the organization’s income and expenses. <strong>The</strong> types of activities a public<br />

charity conducts determines the type of records that should be kept for federal<br />

tax purposes. A public charity should set up a recordkeeping system using an<br />

accounting method that is appropriate for proper monitoring and reporting of its<br />

financial activities for the tax year. If a public charity has more than one program,<br />

it should ensure that the records appropriately identify the income and expense<br />

items that are attributable to each program.<br />

16<br />

A recordkeeping system should generally include a summary of transactions. This<br />

summary is ordinarily written in the public charity’s books (for example, accounting<br />

journals and ledgers). <strong>The</strong> books must show gross receipts, purchases, expenses<br />

(other than purchases), employment taxes and assets. For most small organizations,<br />

the checkbook might be the main source for entries in the books while larger<br />

organizations would need more sophisticated ledgers and records. A public charity<br />

must keep documentation that supports entries in the books.


RECORDS MANAGEMENT<br />

GROSS RECEIPTS,<br />

Gross receipts are the amounts received from all sources, including contributions. A public charity should<br />

keep supporting documents that show the amounts and sources of its gross receipts. Documents that show<br />

gross receipts include: donor correspondence, pledge documents, cash register tapes, bank deposit slips,<br />

receipt books, invoices, credit card charge slips and Forms 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income.<br />

PURCHASES, INCLUDING ACCOUNTING FOR INVENTORY,<br />

Purchases are items bought, including any items resold to customers. If an organization produces items,<br />

it must account for any items resold to customers. Thus, for example, the organization must account for the<br />

cost of all raw materials or parts purchased for manufacture into finished products. Supporting documents<br />

should show the amount paid and that the amount was for purchases. Documents for purchases include:<br />

canceled checks, cash register tape receipts, credit card sales slips and invoices. <strong>The</strong>se records will help a<br />

public charity determine the value of its inventory at the end of the year. See Publication 538, Accounting<br />

Periods and Methods, for general information on methods for valuing inventory.<br />

EXPENSES<br />

Expenses are the costs a public charity incurs (other than purchases) to carry on its program. Supporting<br />

documents should show the amount paid and the purpose of the expense. Documents for expenses include:<br />

canceled checks, cash register tapes, contracts, account statements, credit card sales slips, invoices and<br />

petty-cash slips for small cash payments.<br />

EMPLOYMENT TAXES<br />

Organizations that have employees must keep records of compensation and specific employment tax<br />

records. See Publication 15, (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide, for details.<br />

17<br />

ASSETS & LIABILITIES<br />

Assets are the property, such as investments, buildings and furniture that an organization owns and uses in<br />

its activities. Liabilities reflect the financial obligations of the organization. A public charity must keep records<br />

to verify certain information about its assets and liabilities. Records should show:<br />

■ when and how the asset was acquired,<br />

■ whether any debt was used to acquire the asset, ,<br />

■ documents that support mortgages, notes,<br />

loans or other forms of debt,<br />

■ purchase price, ,<br />

■ cost of any improvements,,<br />

■ deductions taken for depreciation, if any ,,<br />

■ deductions taken for casualty losses, if any, such<br />

as losses resulting from fires or storms,<br />

■ how the asset was used,<br />

■ when and how the asset was disposed of,<br />

■ selling price,<br />

■ expenses of sale,<br />

Documents that may show the above information include: purchase and sales invoices, real estate closing<br />

statements, canceled checks and financing documents. If a public charity does not have canceled<br />

checks, it may be able to show payment with certain financial account statements prepared by financial<br />

institutions. <strong>The</strong>se include account statements prepared for the financial institution by a third party.<br />

All information, including account statements, must be highly legible. <strong>The</strong> following defines acceptable<br />

account statements.<br />

IF payment is by:<br />

check<br />

electronic funds<br />

transfer<br />

credit card<br />

THEN statement must show:<br />

check number, amount, payee’s name and date the check amount was posted to<br />

the account by the financial institution<br />

amount transferred, payee’s name and date the transfer was posted to the<br />

account by the financial institution<br />

amount charged, payee’s name and transaction date


Accounting Periods and Methods<br />

A public charity must keep its books and records based on an annual accounting<br />

period called a tax year to comply with annual reporting requirements.<br />

Accounting Periods — A tax year is usually 12 consecutive months. <strong>The</strong>re are two<br />

kinds of tax years:<br />

CALENDAR TAX YEAR – This is a period of 12 consecutive months beginning<br />

January 1 and ending December 31.<br />

FISCAL TAX YEAR – This is a period of 12 consecutive months ending on the last<br />

day of any month except December.<br />

Accounting Method — An accounting method is a set of rules used to determine<br />

when and how income and expenses are reported. A public charity chooses<br />

an accounting method when it files its first annual return. <strong>The</strong>re are two basic<br />

accounting methods:<br />

CASH METHOD – Under the cash method, a public charity reports income in the<br />

tax year received. It usually deducts expenses in the year paid.<br />

ACCRUAL METHOD – Under an accrual method, a public charity generally records<br />

income in the tax year earned (in other words, in the tax year in which a pledge is<br />

received, even though it may receive payment in a later year). It records expenses<br />

in the tax year incurred.<br />

18<br />

For more information about accounting periods and methods, see Publication 538,<br />

Accounting Periods and Methods, and the instructions to Form 990 and Form 990-EZ.<br />

Supporting Documents<br />

Organization transactions such as contributions, purchases, sales and payroll<br />

will generate supporting documents. <strong>The</strong>se documents — grant applications<br />

and awards, sales slips, paid bills, invoices, receipts, deposit slips and canceled<br />

checks — contain information to be recorded in accounting records. It is important<br />

to keep these documents because they support the entries in books and the<br />

entries on tax and information returns. Public charities should keep supporting<br />

documents organized by year and type of receipt or expense. Also, keep records<br />

in a safe place.<br />

How Long Should Records be Kept?<br />

Public charities must keep records for federal tax purposes for as long as they<br />

may be needed to document evidence of compliance with provisions of the IRC.<br />

Generally, this means the organization must keep records that support an item of<br />

income or deduction on a return until the statute of limitations for that return runs.<br />

<strong>The</strong> statute of limitations has run when the organization can no longer amend<br />

its return and the IRS can no longer assess additional tax. Generally, the statute


of limitations runs three years after the date the return is due or filed, whichever<br />

is later. An organization may be required to retain records longer for other legal<br />

purposes, including state or local tax purposes.<br />

Record Retention Periods<br />

Record retention periods vary depending on the types of records and returns.<br />

Permanent Records – Some records should be kept permanently. <strong>The</strong>se include<br />

the application for recognition of tax-exempt status, the determination letter<br />

recognizing tax-exempt status and organizing documents, such as articles of<br />

incorporation and bylaws, with amendments, as well as board minutes.<br />

Employment Tax Records – If an organization has employees, it must keep<br />

employment tax records for at least four years after filing the fourth quarter for<br />

the year.<br />

Records for Non-Tax Purposes – When records are no longer needed for tax<br />

purposes, an organization should keep them until they are no longer needed for<br />

non-tax purposes. For example, a grantor, insurance company, creditor or state<br />

agency may require that records be kept longer than the IRS requires.<br />

What Governance Procedures and Practices Should<br />

an Organization Consider Adopting or Have in Place?<br />

19<br />

While federal law doesn’t mandate any management structures, operational policies<br />

or administrative practices, it’s important that public charities be thoughtful about<br />

the governance practices that are most appropriate for that charity in assuring<br />

sound operations and compliance with the tax law. While you may not be required<br />

to have one policy or another, the IRS is authorized by Section 6033 to ask for<br />

information we consider to be relevant to tax administration, including governance.<br />

Mission Statement and Organizational Documents<br />

<strong>The</strong> IRS encourages every charity to adopt, establish and regularly review a<br />

mission statement to explain the organization’s purposes and guide its work.<br />

Significant changes in your organizational documents should be reported to the<br />

IRS, as noted below.<br />

Governing Body<br />

An active and engaged board is important to the success of a public charity and<br />

compliance with the tax law. A governing board should be composed of persons<br />

who are informed and active in overseeing a charity’s operations and finances. To<br />

guard against insider transactions that could result in misuse of charitable assets,<br />

the governing board should include independent members and should not be<br />

dominated by employees or others who are not independent because of business<br />

or family relationships.


Governance and Management Policies<br />

Although the IRC does not require charities to have governance and management<br />

policies, the IRS does encourage boards of charities to consider whether the<br />

implementation of policies relating to executive compensation, conflicts of interest,<br />

investments, fundraising, documentation of governance decisions, document<br />

retention and whistleblower claims may be necessary and appropriate.<br />

Further, if a public charity has chapters or affiliates, it is encouraged to have<br />

procedures or policies in place to ensure consistency in operations.<br />

Financial Statements and Information Reporting<br />

Board members are encouraged to regularly review the organization’s financial<br />

statements and information returns, and consider whether an independent auditor<br />

is appropriate.<br />

Transparency<br />

Public charities are encouraged to adopt and monitor procedures to ensure that<br />

information about their mission, activities, finance and governance is made publicly<br />

available.<br />

How Should Changes be Reported to the IRS?<br />

20<br />

Reporting Changes on the Annual Information Return<br />

A public charity that is required to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ must report name<br />

and address changes, significant program changes and changes to its organizing<br />

or enabling document or to its rules governing its affairs (commonly known as<br />

bylaws) on its annual information return. For information about informing the IRS of<br />

a termination or merger see Publication 4779, Facts About Terminating or Merging<br />

Your Exempt Organization.<br />

Determination Letters and Private Letter Ruling Requests<br />

A public charity may request a copy of a lost exemption letter or an updated<br />

exemption letter that reflects a name or address change from the IRS Exempt<br />

Organizations (EO) Determinations office.<br />

A public charity may file Form 8940, Request for Miscellaneous Determination<br />

under Section 507, 509(a), 4940, 4942, 4945, and 6033 of the Internal Revenue<br />

Code, to request a determination letter for an exemption from Form 990 filing<br />

requirement, advance approval that a potential grant or contribution constitutes<br />

an “unusual grant,” reclassification of foundation status and other miscellaneous<br />

determinations.


If a public charity is unsure about whether a proposed change in its purposes or<br />

activities is consistent with its status as an exempt organization or as a public<br />

charity, it may want to request a private letter ruling.<br />

<strong>The</strong> IRS Office of Chief Counsel issues private letter rulings on proposed<br />

transactions and on completed transactions — if the request is submitted before<br />

the return is filed for the year in which the transaction was completed. <strong>The</strong> IRS<br />

generally does not issue rulings to public charities on any other completed<br />

transactions. <strong>The</strong> IRS will issue letter rulings to public charities on matters involving<br />

a public charity’s exempt status, its public charity status, as well as other matters<br />

including issues under Sections 501 through 514, 4911, 4912, 4955, 4958, 6033,<br />

6104 and 6115.<br />

Consult www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits for the appropriate procedures<br />

for preparing and submitting a request for a determination letter, replacement<br />

exemption letter, a letter reflecting a new name and address or private letter ruling.<br />

For general information about reporting changes, you may contact EO Customer<br />

Accounts Services at 877-829-5500.<br />

What Disclosures are Required?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are several disclosure requirements for public charities. Detailed information<br />

on federal tax law disclosure requirements for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations<br />

can be found in Publication 557.<br />

21<br />

Public Inspection of Annual Returns and Exemption Applications<br />

A public charity must make the following documents available for public inspection<br />

and copying upon request and without charge (except for a reasonable charge<br />

for copying). <strong>The</strong> IRS also makes these documents available for public inspection<br />

and copying. A public charity may place reasonable restrictions on the time, place<br />

and manner of in-person inspection and copying, and may charge a reasonable<br />

fee for providing copies. It can charge no more for the copies than the per page<br />

rate the IRS charges for providing copies. <strong>The</strong> copy fees are listed in the Freedom<br />

of Information Act (FOIA) fee schedule. Although the IRS charges no fee for the<br />

first 100 pages, the organization can charge a fee for all copies. <strong>The</strong> organization<br />

can also charge the actual postage costs it pays to provide copies. A tax-exempt<br />

organization does not have to comply with individual requests for copies if it makes<br />

the documents widely available. This can be done by posting the documents on a<br />

readily accessible website.<br />

For details on disclosure rules and procedures for public charities, see Life Cycle<br />

of a Public Charity and the instructions to Forms 990 and 1023.<br />

Because certain forms, by law, must be made publicly available by the IRS and the<br />

filer, do not include any personal identifying information, such as Social Security<br />

numbers not required by the IRS, on these forms.


Exemption Application – A public charity must make available for public<br />

inspection its exemption application, Form 1023, Application for Recognition of<br />

Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or Form 1023-EZ,<br />

Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of<br />

the Internal Revenue Code, along with:<br />

■■ all documents submitted with Form 1023,<br />

■■ all documents the IRS requires the organization to submit in support of its<br />

application, and<br />

■■ the exemption ruling letter issued by the IRS.<br />

Annual Information Return – A public charity must make available for public<br />

inspection its annual information return (Form 990 series) with schedules,<br />

attachments and supporting documents filed with the IRS. However, a public<br />

charity that files a Form 990 or Form 990-EZ does not have to disclose the names<br />

and addresses of contributors listed on Schedule B. All other information, including<br />

the amount of contributions, the description of noncash contributions and any<br />

other information provided will be open to public inspection unless it clearly<br />

identifies the contributor.<br />

Note: If an organization files a copy of Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, and<br />

attachments, with any state, it should not include its Schedule B in the<br />

attachments for the state, unless a schedule of contributors is specifically required<br />

by the state. States that do not require the information might inadvertently make<br />

the schedule available for public inspection along with the rest of the Form 990 or<br />

Form 990-EZ.<br />

22<br />

Certain information may be withheld from public inspection. A return must be<br />

made available for a period of three years from the date the return is required to<br />

be filed or is filed, whichever is later.<br />

Form 990-T – A public charity must make Form 990-T available for three years<br />

from the date the Form 990-T is required to be filed including any extension.<br />

Schedules, attachments and supporting documents filed with Form 990-T that<br />

do not relate to unrelated business income tax are not required to be made<br />

available. Notice 2007-45 and Notice 2008-49 provide interim guidance on how<br />

the returns are to be made public. See Form 4506-A for procedures the public<br />

may use to request a 501(c)(3) organization’s Form 990-T from the IRS.<br />

Public Inspection and Disclosure Procedures – A public charity may place<br />

reasonable restrictions on the time, place and manner of in-person inspection and<br />

copying, and may charge a reasonable fee for providing copies. It can charge no<br />

more for the copies than the per page rate the IRS charges for providing copies.<br />

A tax-exempt organization does not have to comply with individual requests for<br />

copies if it makes the documents widely available. This can be done by posting the<br />

documents on a readily accessible website.<br />

All publicly-available information may be obtained from the IRS by using Form<br />

4506-A, Request for Public Inspection or Copy of Exempt or Political Organization<br />

IRS Form (a fee may apply). An organization may request a copy of its own return


on Form 4506-A. However, it will only receive the copy that is “Open for Public<br />

Inspection.” An organization may request a complete copy of its own return by<br />

completing Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, and paying the<br />

applicable fee.<br />

PENALTIES<br />

Penalties apply to responsible persons of a tax-exempt organization who fail to provide the documents as<br />

required. A penalty of $20 per day may apply for as long as the failure continues. A $10,000 maximum<br />

penalty applies to a failure to provide an information return; no maximum penalty applies to application<br />

requests.<br />

Sale of Free Government Information<br />

If a public charity offers to sell, or solicits money for, specific information or a<br />

routine service that is available free from the federal government, the organization<br />

must make an express statement at the time of solicitation about the free service.<br />

An organization that intentionally disregards this requirement is subject to a penalty.<br />

Charitable Contributions—Substantiation and Disclosure<br />

A public charity should be aware of the substantiation and recordkeeping rules<br />

imposed on donors who intend to claim a charitable contribution deduction and the<br />

disclosure rules imposed on charities that receive certain quid pro quo contributions.<br />

Recordkeeping Rules<br />

23<br />

A donor cannot claim a tax deduction for any cash, check or other monetary<br />

contribution unless the donor maintains a record of the contribution in the form of<br />

either a bank record (such as a cancelled check) or a written communication from<br />

the charity (such as a receipt or a letter) showing the name of the charity, date and<br />

amount of the contribution.<br />

Substantiation Rules<br />

A donor cannot claim a tax deduction for any single contribution of $250 or more<br />

unless the donor obtains a contemporaneous written acknowledgment of the<br />

contribution from the recipient public charity. A public charity may assist the donor by<br />

providing a timely written statement including the name of the public charity, date and<br />

amount of any cash contribution and description of any noncash contributions.<br />

In addition, the acknowledgment should indicate whether any goods or services<br />

were provided in return for the contribution. If any goods or services were provided<br />

in return for a contribution, the organization should provide a description and good<br />

faith estimate of the value of the goods or services.<br />

<strong>The</strong> public charity may either provide separate acknowledgments for each single<br />

contribution of $250 or more or one acknowledgment to substantiate several single<br />

contributions of $250 or more. Separate contributions are not aggregated for<br />

purposes of measuring the $250 threshold.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are no IRS forms for the acknowledgment. Letters, postcards or computergenerated<br />

forms with the above information are acceptable. An organization


can provide either a paper copy of the acknowledgment or an electronic<br />

acknowledgment, such as an email, to the donor.<br />

Disclosure Rules That Apply to Quid Pro Quo Contributions<br />

Contributions are deductible only to the extent that they are gifts and no<br />

consideration is received in return. Depending on the circumstances, ticket<br />

purchases and similar payments made in conjunction with fundraising events<br />

may not qualify as charitable contributions in full. A contribution made by a donor<br />

in exchange for goods or services is known as a quid pro quo contribution. A<br />

donor may only take a charitable contribution deduction to the extent that the<br />

contribution exceeds the fair market value of the goods and services the donor<br />

receives in return for the contribution.<br />

If a public charity conducts fundraising events such as benefit dinners, shows and<br />

membership drives, where something of value is given to those in attendance,<br />

it must provide a written statement informing donors of the fair market value of<br />

the specific items or services it provided in exchange for contributions. Token<br />

items and services of intangible religious value need not be considered. A public<br />

charity should provide the written disclosure statement in advance of any event,<br />

determine the fair market value of any benefit received and state this information<br />

in fundraising materials such as solicitations, tickets and receipts. <strong>The</strong> disclosure<br />

statement should be made, at the latest, at the time payment is received. Subject<br />

to certain exceptions, the disclosure responsibility applies to any fundraising<br />

circumstance where each complete payment, including the contribution portion,<br />

exceeds $75.<br />

24<br />

Publication 1771, Charitable Contributions—Substantiation and Disclosure<br />

Requirements, and Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, provide details on<br />

the federal tax law for organizations such as public charities, including churches,


How Do You Get IRS Assistance and Information?<br />

<strong>The</strong> IRS offers help that is accessible online, via mail, by telephone and at IRS walkin<br />

offices in many areas across the country. IRS forms and publications can be<br />

downloaded from the internet and ordered by telephone.<br />

Specialized Assistance for Tax-Exempt Organizations<br />

Get help with questions about applying for tax-exempt status, annual filing<br />

requirements and information about exempt organizations from the IRS Exempt<br />

Organizations (EO) pages on the IRS website.<br />

EO Website<br />

www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits<br />

Highlights:<br />

■■ <strong>The</strong> Life Cycle of a Public Charity describes the compliance obligations of<br />

charities.<br />

■■ Subscribe to the EO Update, an electronic newsletter with information for taxexempt<br />

organizations and tax practitioners who represent them.<br />

EO Web-based Training<br />

www.stayexempt.irs.gov<br />

EO Customer Account Services 877-829-5500<br />

25<br />

EO Determinations Office Mailing Address<br />

Internal Revenue Service,<br />

TE/GE, EO Determinations Office,<br />

Room 4024<br />

P.O. Box 2508,<br />

Cincinnati, OH 45201,


Tax Publications for Exempt Organizations<br />

Get publications via the internet or by calling the IRS at 800-829-3676.<br />

Pub 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer,<br />

Pub 15, (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide,<br />

Pub 15-A, Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide,<br />

Pub 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses,<br />

Pub 517, Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy<br />

and Religious Workers,<br />

Pub 526, Charitable Contributions,<br />

Pub 538, Accounting Periods and Methods,<br />

Pub 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization,<br />

Pub 571, Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans (403(b) Plans) for Employees of Public<br />

Schools and Certain Tax-Exempt Organizations,<br />

Pub 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records,<br />

Pub 598, Tax on Unrelated Business Income of Exempt Organizations,<br />

Pub 1771, Charitable Contributions—Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements,<br />

Pub 1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations,<br />

Pub 3079, Tax-Exempt Organizations and Gaming,<br />

26<br />

Pub 3833, Disaster Relief, Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations,<br />

Pub 4220, Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status,<br />

Pub 4221-NC, Compliance Guide for Tax-Exempt Organizations (other than 501(c)(3)<br />

Public Charities and Private Foundations),<br />

Pub 4221-PF, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Private Foundations,<br />

Pub 4302, A Charity’s Guide to Vehicle Donation,<br />

Pub 4303, A Donor’s Guide to Vehicle Donation,<br />

Pub 4630, <strong>The</strong> Exempt Organizations Products and Services Catalog,<br />

Pub 4779, Facts about Terminating or Merging Your Exempt Organization,<br />

Forms for Exempt Organizations<br />

Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return,<br />

Form 944, Employer’s Annual Federal Tax Return,<br />

Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax,<br />

Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax,<br />

Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation or Section 4947(a)(1) Trust Treated as<br />

Private Foundation,


Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not<br />

Required to File Form 990 or 990-EZ (available electronically only),<br />

Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return (and proxy tax<br />

under section 6033(e)),<br />

Form 990-W, Estimated Tax on Unrelated Business Taxable Income for<br />

Tax-Exempt Organizations (and on Investment Income for Private Foundations),<br />

Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3)<br />

of the Internal Revenue Code,<br />

Form 1023-EZ, Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section<br />

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (available electronically only)<br />

Form 1024, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(a),<br />

Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts,<br />

Form 4720, Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the<br />

Internal Revenue Code,<br />

Form 5578, Annual Certification of Racial Nondiscrimination for a Private School<br />

Exempt From Federal Income Tax,<br />

Form 5768, Election/Revocation of Election by an Eligible Section 501(c)(3)<br />

Organization To Make Expenditures To Influence Legislation,<br />

Form 8282, Donee Information Return (Sale, Exchange, or Other Disposition of<br />

Donated Property)<br />

27<br />

Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions,<br />

Form 8868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File an Exempt<br />

Organization Return,<br />

FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts,<br />

General IRS Assistance<br />

Get materials on the latest tax laws, assistance with forms and publications, and<br />

filing information.<br />

IRS Website,<br />

www.irs.gov<br />

Federal tax questions, 800-829-4933<br />

Employment tax questions, 800-829-4933<br />

Order IRS forms and publications, 800-829-3676<br />

Publication 4221-PC (Rev. 3-2018) Catalog Number 49829R,,Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov,


Page 60 of 89


Attachment B<br />

Quick Short-Term Impact Analysis<br />

(2-2018)<br />

Page 61 of 89


Quick Short-Term Impact Analysis<br />

E-B Program Cost 2<br />

$328,769.85 ÷ 600 kids = $547.95/ youth<br />

÷ 12 mos. = $46./mo./youth<br />

Family Spending per Youth $4,931,547.75 ÷ 8,219.25/kid 1 ÷ 600 kids =<br />

not incarcerated (ROI) 3<br />

÷ 12 mos. = $137./mo./youth<br />

Spending per youth not incarcerated = $137./month/youth<br />

Cost of Program(s) per youth not incarcerated = - $ 46./month/youth<br />

$ 91./month/youth<br />

Short-Term Benefit to Society = $ 91./month/youth x 600 kids x 60 mos. = $3,276,000.00 4<br />

Annual Confinement Costs:<br />

Pennsylvania<br />

Not Reported<br />

New Jersey $196,133.00 per youth (x 600 youth = $117,679,800)<br />

Georgia $91,126.00 per youth (x 600 youth = $54,675,600)<br />

Delaware<br />

Not Reported<br />

Washington DC $277,765.00 per youth (x 600 youth = $166,659,000)<br />

5-Year Social Impact 5<br />

New Jersey $117,679,800/year x 5 years = $588,399,000 + $3,276,000 = $591,675,000<br />

Georgia $54,675,600/year x 5 years = $273,378,000 + $3,276,000 = $276,654,000<br />

Wash DC $166,659,000/year x 5 years = $833,295,000 + $3,276,000 = $836,571,000<br />

2<br />

5-Year Analysis (2007 – 2011).<br />

3<br />

$15/$1 ROI Multiplier (per p. 110).<br />

4<br />

Slightly under a 10/1 ROI.<br />

5<br />

600 youth<br />

Page 62 of 89


Attachment C<br />

NpA <strong>Incubator</strong> Workshop Budget<br />

Page 63 of 89


NpA <strong>Incubator</strong> Workshop Budget<br />

Assume: 15 participants and 2 leaders<br />

All costs are Variable.<br />

Description / Costs Workshop Per person<br />

Program Coordinator: 1staff at<br />

$40 per hr x 8 hours<br />

Workshop Leaders: 1 staff<br />

leader @ $40 per hr. x 3 hrs. x 6<br />

sessions^ ; 1 community leader<br />

@ $200 per workshop<br />

Critical Thinking Books: 15<br />

participants x $19/book<br />

$320 $21<br />

$920 $61.33<br />

$285 $19<br />

Flip Charts for Workshop: 2<br />

per workshop @ $30<br />

Miscellaneous Supplies: name<br />

tags, pens, markers, note pads<br />

Miscellaneous Copying: 5<br />

pages x $.10 per page x 15<br />

people<br />

Snacks: $1.50 per person x 17<br />

people x 6 days<br />

$60 $4<br />

$15 $2.50<br />

$7.50 .50<br />

$153 $9<br />

Mileage for Leaders: 100 miles<br />

x 6 days x 1 people x $.56 per<br />

mile<br />

$336 $22<br />

Total Cost Per Workshop* $2,096.50 $140<br />

Includes planning and preparation time plus administrative for copying, form<br />

processing, etc.<br />

Total cost $140 per person, plus cost of room rental (if any)<br />

Page 64 of 89


Advocacy Foundation Publishers<br />

Page 65 of 89


Advocacy Foundation Publishers<br />

<strong>The</strong> e-Advocate Quarterly<br />

Page 66 of 89


Issue Title Quarterly<br />

Vol. I 2015 <strong>The</strong> Fundamentals<br />

I<br />

<strong>The</strong> ComeUnity ReEngineering<br />

Project Initiative<br />

Q-1 2015<br />

II <strong>The</strong> Adolescent Law Group Q-2 2015<br />

III<br />

Landmark Cases in US<br />

Juvenile Justice (PA)<br />

Q-3 2015<br />

IV <strong>The</strong> First Amendment Project Q-4 2015<br />

Vol. II 2016 Strategic Development<br />

V <strong>The</strong> Fourth Amendment Project Q-1 2016<br />

VI<br />

Landmark Cases in US<br />

Juvenile Justice (NJ)<br />

Q-2 2016<br />

VII Youth Court Q-3 2016<br />

VIII<br />

<strong>The</strong> Economic Consequences of Legal<br />

Decision-Making<br />

Q-4 2016<br />

Vol. III 2017 Sustainability<br />

IX <strong>The</strong> Sixth Amendment Project Q-1 2017<br />

X<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>ological Foundations of<br />

US Law & Government<br />

Q-2 2017<br />

XI <strong>The</strong> Eighth Amendment Project Q-3 2017<br />

XII<br />

<strong>The</strong> EB-5 Investor<br />

Immigration Project*<br />

Q-4 2017<br />

Vol. IV 2018 Collaboration<br />

XIII Strategic Planning Q-1 2018<br />

XIV<br />

<strong>The</strong> Juvenile Justice<br />

Legislative Reform Initiative<br />

Q-2 2018<br />

XV <strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation Coalition Q-3 2018<br />

Page 67 of 89


XVI<br />

for Drug-Free Communities<br />

Landmark Cases in US<br />

Juvenile Justice (GA)<br />

Q-4 2018<br />

Page 68 of 89


Issue Title Quarterly<br />

Vol. V 2019 Organizational Development<br />

XVII <strong>The</strong> Board of Directors Q-1 2019<br />

XVIII <strong>The</strong> Inner Circle Q-2 2019<br />

XIX Staff & Management Q-3 2019<br />

XX Succession Planning Q-4 2019<br />

XXI <strong>The</strong> Budget* Bonus #1<br />

XXII Data-Driven Resource Allocation* Bonus #2<br />

Vol. VI 2020 Missions<br />

XXIII Critical Thinking Q-1 2020<br />

XXIV<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation<br />

Endowments Initiative Project<br />

Q-2 2020<br />

XXV International Labor Relations Q-3 2020<br />

XXVI Immigration Q-4 2020<br />

Vol. VII 2021 Community Engagement<br />

XXVII<br />

<strong>The</strong> 21 st Century Charter Schools<br />

Initiative<br />

Q-1 2021<br />

XXVIII <strong>The</strong> All-Sports Ministry @ ... Q-2 2021<br />

XXIX Lobbying for <strong>Nonprofit</strong>s Q-3 2021<br />

XXX<br />

XXXI<br />

Advocacy Foundation Missions -<br />

Domestic<br />

Advocacy Foundation Missions -<br />

International<br />

Q-4 2021<br />

Bonus<br />

Page 69 of 89


Vol. VIII<br />

2022 ComeUnity ReEngineering<br />

XXXII<br />

<strong>The</strong> Creative & Fine Arts Ministry<br />

@ <strong>The</strong> Foundation<br />

Q-1 2022<br />

XXXIII <strong>The</strong> Advisory Council & Committees Q-2 2022<br />

XXXIV<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>ological Origins<br />

of Contemporary Judicial Process<br />

Q-3 2022<br />

XXXV <strong>The</strong> Second Chance Ministry @ ... Q-4 2022<br />

Vol. IX 2023 Legal Reformation<br />

XXXVI <strong>The</strong> Fifth Amendment Project Q-1 2023<br />

XXXVII <strong>The</strong> Judicial Re-Engineering Initiative Q-2 2023<br />

XXXVIII<br />

<strong>The</strong> Inner-Cities Strategic<br />

Revitalization Initiative<br />

Q-3 2023<br />

XXXVIX Habeas Corpus Q-4 2023<br />

Vol. X 2024 ComeUnity Development<br />

XXXVX<br />

<strong>The</strong> Inner-City Strategic<br />

Revitalization Plan<br />

Q-1 2024<br />

XXXVXI <strong>The</strong> Mentoring Initiative Q-2 2024<br />

XXXVXII <strong>The</strong> Violence Prevention Framework Q-3 2024<br />

XXXVXIII <strong>The</strong> Fatherhood Initiative Q-4 2024<br />

Vol. XI 2025 Public Interest<br />

XXXVXIV Public Interest Law Q-1 2025<br />

L (50) Spiritual Resource Development Q-2 2025<br />

Page 70 of 89


LI<br />

<strong>Nonprofit</strong> Confidentiality<br />

In <strong>The</strong> Age of Big Data<br />

Q-3 2025<br />

LII Interpreting <strong>The</strong> Facts Q-4 2025<br />

Vol. XII 2026 Poverty In America<br />

LIII<br />

American Poverty<br />

In <strong>The</strong> New Millennium<br />

Q-1 2026<br />

LIV Outcome-Based Thinking Q-2 2026<br />

LV Transformational Social Leadership Q-3 2026<br />

LVI <strong>The</strong> Cycle of Poverty Q-4 2026<br />

Vol. XIII 2027 Raising Awareness<br />

LVII ReEngineering Juvenile Justice Q-1 2027<br />

LVIII Corporations Q-2 2027<br />

LVIX <strong>The</strong> Prison Industrial Complex Q-3 2027<br />

LX Restoration of Rights Q-4 2027<br />

Vol. XIV 2028 Culturally Relevant Programming<br />

LXI Community Culture Q-1 2028<br />

LXII Corporate Culture Q-2 2028<br />

LXIII Strategic Cultural Planning Q-3 2028<br />

LXIV<br />

<strong>The</strong> Cross-Sector/ Coordinated<br />

Service Approach to Delinquency<br />

Prevention<br />

Q-4 2028<br />

Page 71 of 89


Vol. XV 2029 Inner-Cities Revitalization<br />

LXIV<br />

LXV<br />

LXVI<br />

Part I – Strategic Housing<br />

Revitalization<br />

(<strong>The</strong> Twenty Percent Profit Margin)<br />

Part II – Jobs Training, Educational<br />

Redevelopment<br />

and Economic Empowerment<br />

Part III - Financial Literacy<br />

and Sustainability<br />

Q-1 2029<br />

Q-2 2029<br />

Q-3 2029<br />

LXVII Part IV – Solutions for Homelessness Q-4 2029<br />

LXVIII<br />

<strong>The</strong> Strategic Home Mortgage<br />

Initiative<br />

Bonus<br />

Vol. XVI 2030 Sustainability<br />

LXVIII Social Program Sustainability Q-1 2030<br />

LXIX<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation<br />

Endowments Initiative<br />

Q-2 2030<br />

LXX Capital Gains Q-3 2030<br />

LXXI Sustainability Investments Q-4 2030<br />

Vol. XVII 2031 <strong>The</strong> Justice Series<br />

LXXII Distributive Justice Q-1 2031<br />

LXXIII Retributive Justice Q-2 2031<br />

LXXIV Procedural Justice Q-3 2031<br />

LXXV (75) Restorative Justice Q-4 2031<br />

LXXVI Unjust Legal Reasoning Bonus<br />

Page 72 of 89


Vol. XVIII 2032 Public Policy<br />

LXXVII Public Interest Law Q-1 2032<br />

LXXVIII Reforming Public Policy Q-2 2032<br />

LXXVIX ... Q-3 2032<br />

LXXVX ... Q-4 2032<br />

Page 73 of 89


<strong>The</strong> e-Advocate Monthly Review<br />

2018<br />

Transformational Problem Solving January 2018<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation February 2018<br />

Opioid Initiative<br />

Native-American Youth March 2018<br />

In the Juvenile Justice System<br />

Barriers to Reducing Confinement April 2018<br />

Latino and Hispanic Youth May 2018<br />

In the Juvenile Justice System<br />

Social Entrepreneurship June 2018<br />

<strong>The</strong> Economic Consequences of<br />

Homelessness in America S.Ed – June 2018<br />

African-American Youth July 2018<br />

In the Juvenile Justice System<br />

Gang Deconstruction August 2018<br />

Social Impact Investing September 2018<br />

Opportunity Youth: October 2018<br />

Disenfranchised Young People<br />

<strong>The</strong> Economic Impact of Social November 2018<br />

of Social Programs Development<br />

Gun Control December 2018<br />

2019<br />

<strong>The</strong> U.S. Stock Market January 2019<br />

Prison-Based Gerrymandering February 2019<br />

Literacy-Based Prison Construction March 2019<br />

Children of Incarcerated Parents April 2019<br />

Page 74 of 89


African-American Youth in <strong>The</strong> May 2019<br />

Juvenile Justice System<br />

Racial Profiling June 2019<br />

Mass Collaboration July 2019<br />

Concentrated Poverty August 2019<br />

De-Industrialization September 2019<br />

Overcoming Dyslexia October 2019<br />

Overcoming Attention Deficit November 2019<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gift of Adversity December 2019<br />

2020<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gift of Hypersensitivity January 2020<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gift of Introspection February 2020<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gift of Introversion March 2020<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gift of Spirituality April 2020<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gift of Transformation May 2020<br />

Property Acquisition for<br />

Organizational Sustainability June 2020<br />

Investing for Organizational<br />

Sustainability July 2020<br />

Biblical Law & Justice TLFA August 2020<br />

Gentrification AF September 2020<br />

Environmental Racism NpA October 2020<br />

Law for <strong>The</strong> Poor AF November 2020<br />

…<br />

Page 75 of 89


2021<br />

Biblically Responsible Investing TLFA – January 2021<br />

International Criminal Procedure LMI – February 2021<br />

Spiritual Rights TLFA – March 2021<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>ology of Missions TLFA – April 2021<br />

Legal Evangelism, Intelligence,<br />

Reconnaissance & Missions LMI – May 2021<br />

<strong>The</strong> Law of War LMI – June 2021<br />

Generational Progression AF – July 2021<br />

…<br />

Page 76 of 89


<strong>The</strong> e-Advocate Quarterly<br />

Special Editions<br />

Crowdfunding Winter-Spring 2017<br />

Social Media for <strong>Nonprofit</strong>s October 2017<br />

Mass Media for <strong>Nonprofit</strong>s November 2017<br />

<strong>The</strong> Opioid Crisis in America: January 2018<br />

Issues in Pain Management<br />

<strong>The</strong> Opioid Crisis in America: February 2018<br />

<strong>The</strong> Drug Culture in the U.S.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Opioid Crisis in America: March 2018<br />

Drug Abuse Among Veterans<br />

<strong>The</strong> Opioid Crisis in America: April 2018<br />

Drug Abuse Among America’s<br />

Teens<br />

<strong>The</strong> Opioid Crisis in America: May 2018<br />

Alcoholism<br />

<strong>The</strong> Economic Consequences of June 2018<br />

Homelessness in <strong>The</strong> US<br />

<strong>The</strong> Economic Consequences of July 2018<br />

Opioid Addiction in America<br />

Page 77 of 89


<strong>The</strong> e-Advocate Journal<br />

of <strong>The</strong>ological Jurisprudence<br />

Vol. I - 2017<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>ological Origins of Contemporary Judicial Process<br />

Scriptural Application to <strong>The</strong> Model Criminal Code<br />

Scriptural Application for Tort Reform<br />

Scriptural Application to Juvenile Justice Reformation<br />

Vol. II - 2018<br />

Scriptural Application for <strong>The</strong> Canons of Ethics<br />

Scriptural Application to Contracts Reform<br />

& <strong>The</strong> Uniform Commercial Code<br />

Scriptural Application to <strong>The</strong> Law of Property<br />

Scriptural Application to <strong>The</strong> Law of Evidence<br />

Page 78 of 89


Legal Missions International<br />

Page 79 of 89


Issue Title Quarterly<br />

Vol. I 2015<br />

I<br />

II<br />

God’s Will and <strong>The</strong> 21 st Century<br />

Democratic Process<br />

<strong>The</strong> Community<br />

Engagement Strategy<br />

Q-1 2015<br />

Q-2 2015<br />

III Foreign Policy Q-3 2015<br />

IV<br />

Public Interest Law<br />

in <strong>The</strong> New Millennium<br />

Q-4 2015<br />

Vol. II 2016<br />

V Ethiopia Q-1 2016<br />

VI Zimbabwe Q-2 2016<br />

VII Jamaica Q-3 2016<br />

VIII Brazil Q-4 2016<br />

Vol. III 2017<br />

IX India Q-1 2017<br />

X Suriname Q-2 2017<br />

XI <strong>The</strong> Caribbean Q-3 2017<br />

XII United States/ Estados Unidos Q-4 2017<br />

Vol. IV 2018<br />

XIII Cuba Q-1 2018<br />

XIV Guinea Q-2 2018<br />

XV Indonesia Q-3 2018<br />

XVI Sri Lanka Q-4 2018<br />

Page 80 of 89


Vol. V 2019<br />

XVII Russia Q-1 2019<br />

XVIII Australia Q-2 2019<br />

XIV South Korea Q-3 2019<br />

XV Puerto Rico Q-4 2019<br />

Issue Title Quarterly<br />

Vol. VI 2020<br />

XVI Trinidad & Tobago Q-1 2020<br />

XVII Egypt Q-2 2020<br />

XVIII Sierra Leone Q-3 2020<br />

XIX South Africa Q-4 2020<br />

XX Israel Bonus<br />

Vol. VII 2021<br />

XXI Haiti Q-1 2021<br />

XXII Peru Q-2 2021<br />

XXIII Costa Rica Q-3 2021<br />

XXIV China Q-4 2021<br />

XXV Japan Bonus<br />

Vol VIII 2022<br />

XXVI Chile Q-1 2022<br />

Page 81 of 89


<strong>The</strong> e-Advocate Juvenile Justice Report<br />

______<br />

Vol. I – Juvenile Delinquency in <strong>The</strong> US<br />

Vol. II. – <strong>The</strong> Prison Industrial Complex<br />

Vol. III – Restorative/ Transformative Justice<br />

Vol. IV – <strong>The</strong> Sixth Amendment Right to <strong>The</strong> Effective Assistance of Counsel<br />

Vol. V – <strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>ological Foundations of Juvenile Justice<br />

Vol. VI – Collaborating to Eradicate Juvenile Delinquency<br />

Page 82 of 89


<strong>The</strong> e-Advocate Newsletter<br />

Genesis of <strong>The</strong> Problem<br />

Family Structure<br />

Societal Influences<br />

Evidence-Based Programming<br />

Strengthening Assets v. Eliminating Deficits<br />

2012 - Juvenile Delinquency in <strong>The</strong> US<br />

Introduction/Ideology/Key Values<br />

Philosophy/Application & Practice<br />

Expungement & Pardons<br />

Pardons & Clemency<br />

Examples/Best Practices<br />

2013 - Restorative Justice in <strong>The</strong> US<br />

2014 - <strong>The</strong> Prison Industrial Complex<br />

25% of the World's Inmates Are In the US<br />

<strong>The</strong> Economics of Prison Enterprise<br />

<strong>The</strong> Federal Bureau of Prisons<br />

<strong>The</strong> After-Effects of Incarceration/Individual/Societal<br />

<strong>The</strong> Fourth Amendment Project<br />

<strong>The</strong> Sixth Amendment Project<br />

<strong>The</strong> Eighth Amendment Project<br />

<strong>The</strong> Adolescent Law Group<br />

2015 - US Constitutional Issues In <strong>The</strong> New Millennium<br />

Page 83 of 89


2018 - <strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>ological Law Firm Academy<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>The</strong>ological Foundations of US Law & Government<br />

<strong>The</strong> Economic Consequences of Legal Decision-Making<br />

<strong>The</strong> Juvenile Justice Legislative Reform Initiative<br />

<strong>The</strong> EB-5 International Investors Initiative<br />

2017 - Organizational Development<br />

<strong>The</strong> Board of Directors<br />

<strong>The</strong> Inner Circle<br />

Staff & Management<br />

Succession Planning<br />

Bonus #1 <strong>The</strong> Budget<br />

Bonus #2 Data-Driven Resource Allocation<br />

2018 - Sustainability<br />

<strong>The</strong> Data-Driven Resource Allocation Process<br />

<strong>The</strong> Quality Assurance Initiative<br />

<strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation Endowments Initiative<br />

<strong>The</strong> Community Engagement Strategy<br />

2019 - Collaboration<br />

Critical Thinking for Transformative Justice<br />

International Labor Relations<br />

Immigration<br />

God's Will & <strong>The</strong> 21st Century Democratic Process<br />

<strong>The</strong> Community Engagement Strategy<br />

<strong>The</strong> 21st Century Charter Schools Initiative<br />

2020 - Community Engagement<br />

Page 84 of 89


Extras<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nonprofit</strong> Advisors Group Newsletters<br />

<strong>The</strong> 501(c)(3) Acquisition Process<br />

<strong>The</strong> Board of Directors<br />

<strong>The</strong> Gladiator Mentality<br />

Strategic Planning<br />

Fundraising<br />

501(c)(3) Reinstatements<br />

<strong>The</strong> Collaborative US/ International Newsletters<br />

How You Think Is Everything<br />

<strong>The</strong> Reciprocal Nature of Business Relationships<br />

Accelerate Your Professional Development<br />

<strong>The</strong> Competitive Nature of Grant Writing<br />

Assessing <strong>The</strong> Risks<br />

Page 85 of 89


Page 86 of 89


About <strong>The</strong> Author<br />

John C (Jack) Johnson III<br />

Founder & CEO<br />

Jack was educated at Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Rutgers<br />

Law School, in Camden, New Jersey. In 1999, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue<br />

greater opportunities to provide Advocacy and Preventive Programmatic services for atrisk/<br />

at-promise young persons, their families, and Justice Professionals embedded in the<br />

Juvenile Justice process in order to help facilitate its transcendence into the 21 st Century.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re, along with a small group of community and faith-based professionals, “<strong>The</strong> Advocacy Foundation, Inc." was conceived<br />

and developed over roughly a thirteen year period, originally chartered as a Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Educational<br />

Support Services organization consisting of Mentoring, Tutoring, Counseling, Character Development, Community Change<br />

Management, Practitioner Re-Education & Training, and a host of related components.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Foundation’s Overarching Mission is “To help Individuals, Organizations, & Communities Achieve <strong>The</strong>ir Full Potential”, by<br />

implementing a wide array of evidence-based proactive multi-disciplinary "Restorative & Transformative Justice" programs &<br />

projects currently throughout the northeast, southeast, and western international-waters regions, providing prevention and support<br />

services to at-risk/ at-promise youth, to young adults, to their families, and to Social Service, Justice and Mental<br />

Health professionals” everywhere. <strong>The</strong> Foundation has since relocated its headquarters to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and been<br />

expanded to include a three-tier mission.<br />

In addition to his work with the Foundation, Jack also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law & Business at National-Louis<br />

University of Atlanta (where he taught Political Science, Business & Legal Ethics, Labor & Employment Relations, and Critical<br />

Thinking courses to undergraduate and graduate level students). Jack has also served as Board President for a host of wellestablished<br />

and up & coming nonprofit organizations throughout the region, including “Visions Unlimited Community<br />

Development Systems, Inc.”, a multi-million dollar, award-winning, Violence Prevention and Gang Intervention Social Service<br />

organization in Atlanta, as well as Vice-Chair of the Georgia/ Metropolitan Atlanta Violence Prevention Partnership, a state-wide<br />

300 organizational member, violence prevention group led by the Morehouse School of Medicine, Emory University and <strong>The</strong><br />

Original, Atlanta-Based, Martin Luther King Center.<br />

Attorney Johnson’s prior accomplishments include a wide-array of Professional Legal practice areas, including Private Firm,<br />

Corporate and Government postings, just about all of which yielded significant professional awards & accolades, the history and<br />

chronology of which are available for review online. Throughout his career, Jack has served a wide variety of for-profit<br />

corporations, law firms, and nonprofit organizations as Board Chairman, Secretary, Associate, and General Counsel since 1990.<br />

www.<strong>The</strong>AdvocacyFoundation.org<br />

Clayton County Youth Services Partnership, Inc. – Chair; Georgia Violence Prevention Partnership, Inc – Vice Chair; Fayette<br />

County NAACP - Legal Redress Committee Chairman; Clayton County Fatherhood Initiative Partnership – Principal<br />

Investigator; Morehouse School of Medicine School of Community Health Feasibility Study - Steering Committee; Atlanta<br />

Violence Prevention Capacity Building Project – Project Partner; Clayton County Minister’s Conference, President 2006-2007;<br />

Liberty In Life Ministries, Inc. – Board Secretary; Young Adults Talk, Inc. – Board of Directors; ROYAL, Inc - Board of<br />

Directors; Temple University Alumni Association; Rutgers Law School Alumni Association; Sertoma International; Our<br />

Common Welfare Board of Directors – President)2003-2005; River’s Edge Elementary School PTA (Co-President); Summerhill<br />

Community Ministries; Outstanding Young Men of America; Employee of the Year; Academic All-American - Basketball;<br />

Church Trustee.<br />

Page 87 of 89


www.<strong>The</strong>AdvocacyFoundation.org<br />

Page 88 of 89


Page 89 of 89

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