Billionaires Pledge to Give—But to Whom?

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are lining up the billionaires to give to charity. The gifts will be significant—and undoubtedly will help humankind.

But which charities will receive these new-found billions of gifts? Christ-centered charities? Most of the gifts will go to education, the arts, and so on. While some of the new giving will find its way to the Christ-centered word, it will remain the responsibility of believers to give generously to causes to fulfill the Great Commission.

In Bob Buford’s last newsletter, he shares good news about giving. His encouragement is “mirrored by Pamela Hawley, a bright young person who is Founder and CEO of Universal Giving, who said, ‘I can see the fear if I want to. And yet, I am resolutely encouraged.

'Giving is being pushed down. It is no longer about the 50-year old who has it made and wants to give back. Giving is taking place at the age of 10. College students are using their spring vacation to build homes. Media stations are using their news stations to get people involved.

'Good people, good things, good partnerships are transpiring. Find them, see them, stoke them, cherish them. And goodness will begin to explode across the world in the most wonderful way. It already is.’”

Credibility

It generally takes years for a church or a nonprofit organization to gain significant credibility.

(A linchpin in obtaining credibility is accountability—that is where ECFA comes in.)

And yet credibility can be lost or seriously impaired in a very short period of time.

Credibility should be carefully guarded. But even when we are protecting our credibility, it is possible for others to inappropriately borrow it.

In recent weeks, ECFA’s credibility has been borrowed by an individual who alleges to have residential real estate for rent and offers it on a popular website. The imposter purports to be a volunteer for ECFA in Africa.

The problem? This person has no real estate to rent. And, ECFA does not have any volunteers in Africa.

Sadly, we have received reports that individuals have actually transferred funds to this scam artist.

While we have reported this matter to law enforcement authorities, there is little ECFA can do to prevent people from improperly borrowing our credibility.

What is the lesson? Credibility…challenging to obtain…important to maintain…easily lost…easily borrowed.

Always remember credibility’s place in the chain: accountability leads to greater credibility….which leads to more resources for ministry….which enhances our ultimate goal of fulfilling the Great Commission.

White-Water

Kayaks are designed for various purposes—some for light touring or day-tripping on lakes and gentle rivers, sometimes known as flat-water. They are for folks who want to take in beautiful scenery.

Other kinds of kayaks are designed for white-water—those fast moving streams littered with rocks and whirlpools and ledges. White-water kayakers don’t get to chat or rhapsodize about the scenery or shoot pictures of wildlife. They’re too busy figuring out how to remain right side up.

Some churches and other Christ-centered nonprofits are designed for flat-water. Yes, they are open to certain changes and innovations, but these are done at a pace where adjustments may reasonably be made.

In a flat-water environment, revenue and expenses moderately increase each year. Givers consistently and faithfully provide support.

Today, churches and other Christ-centered organizations are in a white-water world. The U.S. recession continues to linger. The U.S. federal government debt load of more than $13 trillion is staggering (http://www.usdebtclock.org/). Our federal government is spending at the rate of $3.6 trillion per year when the revenue is only $2.2 trillion per year.

California, New York and other states show similar signs of debt overload that recently took Greece to the brink—budgets that will not balance and accounting that masks debt.

Harvard professor and financial historian, Niall Ferguson, recently stated that the U.S. is “on the edge of chaos” suggesting that there is an increasing prospect of the American “empire” to collapse suddenly due to the country’s rising debt.

The co-chairmen of the Administration’s debt and deficit commission offered an ominous assessment of the nation’s fiscal future, calling current budgetary trends a cancer “that will destroy the country from within” unless checked by tough action in Washington.

There are increasing challenges to religious freedom: a court case that challenges the housing allowance for many ministers is moving forward and the failure to balance budgets will significantly impact nonprofits and givers who support them in the next few years.

Yes, white-water times are here to stay. Leadership designed for flat water no longer works.

What should we do in white-water times? It’s time to think like Jesus (I borrow George Barna’s wonderful book title). What would Jesus do if He were in our shoes right now? Surely he would tell us to:

• Be prepared. Anticipate white-water times; be prepared for events to turn against you.
• Avoid panic. Continue to do what is right, wise, and consistent with biblical principles.
• Encourage one another. Reaffirm truths. Thank God for His promises.
• Anticipate His coming. Look forward to the day history will be cleansed by the return of the King of Kings.
• Be not afraid. Live not in fear but in confidence in a sovereign God.
• Be absolutely integral and noble in carrying out your call.

And, above all, I believe Jesus would tell us to be steadfast in our focus on the Great Commission. As my friend, Dr. Walt Russell, says: “As in every era of history, we as God’s people have been given a very specific historical task to accomplish. Our historical task is appropriate for the ‘last days’ and the culmination of the ‘fullness of time’ under Jesus the Messiah. Commissioned by King Jesus and implemented by the Apostles in the Book of Acts, our present priority of the Church’s mission is the rapid advancement of the worldwide harvest and the ongoing preservation and ripening of its fruit through the planting of vibrant local churches among every people group.”

Inspired by an article of the same title written by Gordon MacDonald.

Understanding the Government’s Crackdown on Form 990-N Filers

Much has been written about the government’s crackdown on small charities. Websites are replete with information about the Form 990-N filing requirement for nonprofits with gross receipts of $25,000 or less.

Sadly, much of the reporting has been less than accurate—and that is being very polite. Here are a few examples that are reflected on the Internet today by four different highly respected organizations:

• “Most faith-based organizations are not required to file Form 990.” Highly confusing. This statement would be true only if churches are included in the definition of “faith-based organizations.” When the term “faith-based organizations” is used, the reference is usually to parachurch organizations exclusive of churches.
• “What organizations are exempt from filing Form 990? Faith-based organizations.” False—same reason as above.
• “Certain organizations are not required to file Form 990. This includes religious organizations.” False. There is no general exemption from filing Form 990 for religious organizations.
  
• “Charitable organizations other than churches that do not file a tax return with the IRS for three consecutive years now automatically lose their exempt status.” Close, but not quite. This is almost true but not quite. There are charitable other than churches that are not subject to this requirement, i.e, religious orders and integrated auxiliaries of churches.
  

So, it is no wonder there is confusion about how to comply with the law concerning Form 990-N. ECFA requires its members to comply with the law (Standard 4), but since ECFA members must annually have $$50,000 or more of gross receipts, the Form 990-N does not directly apply to ECFA members. However, some of our members provide assistance to other ministries which have $25,000 or less of annual gross receipts. Thus, this is an important issue for those member organizations.

Here are the short-strokes on this issue:

• Certain small (gross receipts of $25,000 or less during tax years beginning in 2007, 2008, and 2009) tax-exempt organizations that fail to satisfy annual filing requirements for three consecutive years are at risk of losing their tax-exempt status if they have not filed for 2007, 2008 and 2009.
  
• The “drop-dead” deadline initially set for May 17, 2010 has been delayed until October 15, 2010
  
• The latest announcement from the IRS is reflected on their website: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225705,00.html
• Certain religious organizations are exempt from filing Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-N. As described in the instructions for Form 990 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990.pdf), those exempted from the filing requirement are:
  
• A church, an interchurch organization of local units of a church, a convention or association of churches, or an integrated auxiliary of a church as described in Regulations section 1.6033-2(h) (such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group).
  
• A church-affiliated organization that is exclusively engaged in managing funds or maintaining retirement programs and is described in Rev. Proc. 96-10, 1996-1 C.B. 577.
  
• A school below college level affiliated with a church or operated by a religious order described in Regulations section 1.6033-2(g)(1)(vii).
  
• A mission society sponsored by, or affiliated with, one or more churches or church denominations, if more than half of the society’s activities are conducted in, or directed at, persons in foreign countries.
  
• An exclusively religious activity of any religious order described in Rev. Proc. 91-20, 1991-1 C.B. 524.
• An entity under a group exemption. If you represent such an entity, it is wise to confirm your organization is listed on the annual Form 990 or other filing made by the organization representing the group. Otherwise, the filing of the Form 990-N may be appropriate.
  

Final thoughts. Some organizations that believe they are exempt from the Form 990-N filing requirement are really subject to the filing of Form 990-N. Conversely, some who think they are subject to the filing are really exempt. How do you know whether your organization is subject to the filing or exempt from it? Consult your tax advisor.

A Postcard from the Future

The signs of the times are clear and potentially disturbing. In this era of big government, the benefits and protections long afforded churches and other nonprofit ministries are increasingly at risk.

While the financial pressures of state and federal governments are the key drivers of the potential incursions on nonprofits, changing attitudes on Capitol Hill towards charities are also a factor.

New proposals impacting nonprofits by state governments are reported in the media on almost a weekly basis. New fees and losses of sales or property tax exemptions are all possibilities.

Are you familiar with the acronym PILOT with respect to property taxes? PILOT means payments in lieu of taxes and it is based on the “soft” contacts some larger charities are receiving. With states beginning to ask for the voluntary payment of property taxes, it may only be a short step from voluntary to required payments.

At the federal level, there are increasing rumblings about potential changes impacting charities and givers. The notion of capping the charitable deduction for high income givers was floated last year. The proposal was very controversial and it was omitted from the health care bill. However, the Administra­tion included the charitable contribution deduction cap in the budget proposals for 2011, so the concept is not dead. While the impact of a contribution is an imponderable, it certainly would not be an incentive for giving.

On the Hill, there are more frequent references to the cost to the federal Treasury of charitable deductions and tax-exempt status churches and other nonprofits. It is estimated that the charitable deduction costs the Treasury $46 billion annually. Allowing churches and other charities to have tax-exempt status costs the Treasury another $50 billion per year. With these estimates come the not-too-veiled-threats of restoring some of these dollars to the Treasury to fund programs.

In response to these concerns, ECFA is stepping up to the Capitol Hill challenge. We are now devoting more energy to developing key relationships on and around the Hill than at any time in ECFA’s 30-plus years.

In its spring meeting, the ECFA board approved six public policy positions representing fundamental areas of significant interest to our members (see below).

This is an important time for ECFA members to pull together, coalescing around principles of accountability and standing firm behind public policies that are fundamental to our existence. Your organization can do this through your strong support of ECFA, encouraging other Christ-centered ministries to join ECFA, letting your Congressional representatives know about the good work you are doing, and praying for our leaders at the federal and state levels of government.

IRS Reports on the Nonprofit Colleges and Universities Compliance Project

The IRS recently released an interim report relating to responses to compliance questionnaires sent to 400 public and private colleges and universities. Colleges and universities make up one of the largest nonprofit segments in terms of revenue and assets.

After combing though the report, I noted several items of particular interest:

1. Endowment funds. The target spending rate for endowment funds in the study range from 4.7% to 5.0%. Charles Grassley, (R-IA) has pushed hard for a minimum 5% endowment spending rate. There are some that might suggest the 5% goal effectively becomes a ceiling on the endowment spending rate.
   
   
   
2. Highest paid employees. In the case of large organizations, the highest paid employee was often a sports coach—(43% of organizations).
   
   
   
3. Use of the rebuttal presumption: More than half of the organizations in each size category reported using a rebuttal presumption process to establish key compensation. On all size levels, the use of comparability data to establish compensation was present less frequently that the other rebuttal presumption factors (adequate documentation and approval by an independent governing body). One would have expected the percentage of organizations using the rebuttal presumption to be much higher.
   
   
   
4. Conflict of interest policies. While 80% of organizations in each size category are reporting having conflict of interest policies covering members of the ruling body and top management officials, it is surprising that this percentage is not 100%.
   
   
   
5. Unrelated business income. One key issue the IRS has identified through the survey is that many public and private institutions are involved in business activities that they are not reporting as taxable income to the federal government.
   
   Most of the institutions surveyed also are not seeking out expert advice to determine whether to report those activities, the agency found. More of the institutions surveyed also are not seeking out expert advice to determine whether to report those activities, the agency found. More than 60% of all the colleges responding to the survey reported that they did not rely on independent accountants or the college’s general counsel on such matters.
   
   
   
6. Disclosure of financial statements. Only 76% of small colleges and universities reported making their audited financial statements available to the public while 91% of medium-sized organizations and nearly 97% of large colleges and universities reported doing so. ECFA members are required to make their financial statements public. It is surprising that 100% of the organizations studied are not committed to this important step of transparency.
   
   
   
7. Compensation policy. Only 34% of the smaller organizations had a formal written compensation policy and even the large organizations only averaged 63% with a formal written compensation policy. These numbers are surprisingly low.

The IRS said it has already begun audits of more than 30 institutions based on their responses to the survey. Thirteen institutions that did not respond to the IRS questionnaire are also being examined, as well as an undisclosed number of colleges that did answer all of the questions, the agency stated. The IRS has not identified the institutions that were sent the questionnaire nor the colleges that are getting audited.

It will be interesting to see if this compliance project becomes a model for questionnaires and compliance in other niches in the nonprofit arena.

Assuring Trust

In his Wall Street Journal column sum­marizing the past 10 years, Thomas Frank titled his editorial “A Low, Dis­honest Decade.” He goes on to say “Ensuring that the public failed to get it was the common theme of at least three of the decade’s signature foul-ups...as the press and politicians were asleep at the switch.” Contrasting this attitude of keeping the public uninformed, ECFA starts its fourth decade of assuring the public’s trust by encouraging Christ-centered churches and parachurch ministries to function at the highest levels of integrity and accountability. Driven by a steady flow of reports of possible wrong­doing, ministries are increasingly under scrutiny by the media and the donor public. It’s an issue of trust. Congress has ramped up its attention on churches and parachurch ministries in the last few years—even implying that some ministries cannot be trusted. While we have enjoyed a brief respite from this attention during the health care reform debate, it is now back to business as usual on Capitol Hill. The recession has impacted most ministries—and the depth and length of the financial trough is still an unknown. When the flow of funds tightens, there is often a temptation to use project-restricted funds for operational purposes or to be less than fully forthright in stewardship appeals—these are paths that will not evoke trust. This all adds up to the ingredients for a perfect storm—high scrutiny by the media and public, additional concerns by Congress, and operating funds in a shorter supply than we have seen in recent years. And the issues generally relate to finances, fund­raising/stewardship, and governance; all three are found in the core of ECFA’s standards. It is a time to be trustworthy in all these areas. What an opportunity for ministries seeking to fulfill the Great Com­mission to be models of integrity and accountability during the swirling turbulence! What a time for givers to open the storehouse doors as Joseph did in times of old and support ministries that take the high ground! What a time to be trustworthy! Accountability to God, to a ministry’s governing body, to its financial supporters, and to the government are all bedrock components of trustworthiness. A ministry may be functioning at the highest level of integrity “in the eyes of the Lord.” But how does a ministry demonstrate it is doing right “in the eyes of men”? How will it demonstrate trustworthiness? This is difficult without independent oversight by an organization like ECFA. Accountability to ECFA’s standards and the commitment of a ministry to annual and special reviews is an important element of building trust in those who support ministries. With hundreds of thousands of churches and tens of thousands of parachurch ministries—and many more being approved each year by the IRS—is it any wonder that many donors are concerned about which ministries they can trust? It is not surprising that nearly two million visits are made to ECFA’s website annually—primarily to determine whether a certain ministry is an ECFA member or not; 35,000 clicks were made by Web users in January 2010 looking for a project in ServantMatch™. Givers want to support ministries they can trust. It should not be surprising that Christ-centered churches and parachurch ministries are fulfilling ECFA’s accreditation requirements at a record pace in a desire to earn the public’s trust. ECFA welcomed 100 or more new organizations into membership in 2008 and again in 2009—a pace unparalleled in the last 20 years! John Wesley said: “Our respon­sibility is to give the world the right impression of God.” ECFA plays a critical role in this process for ministries.