The California Center for Nonprofit Law Blog
Managing Liability and Risk for Nonprofit Leaders
The boards of charities generally consist of invaluable volunteers who bring their expertise to the fundamental operations of the organization. While the board does not typically handle day-to-day decisions and operations, they do make major decisions about policies, finances, and…
How California SB 1454 Affects Your Church Security Team
California Senate Bill (SB) 1454 went into effect on January 1, 2025. This bill updates the Proprietary Security Services Act, which is a portion of the California Business and Professions Code. SB 1454 has raised issues about how the Bureau…Charitable Fundraising – When Registration is Required in Multiple States
One of the most challenging aspects of charitable fundraising is navigating legal compliance issues, particularly when fundraising goes across state lines. Online giving and social media platforms have made it increasingly easy to solicit donations across the nation. However, most…Five Ways Charitable Organizations Could Lose Tax-Exempt Status
Many charitable organizations also enjoy tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) if they meet the eligibility requirements for nonprofit organizations under Section 501(c)(3). However, charities that have tax-exempt status should take care to safeguard that status by following…Understanding Charitable Solicitation Registration Requirements
Charitable solicitation registration laws can be an unexpected obstacle to charities seeking to expand their fundraising efforts. Some of these laws also fail to consider new ways of charitable solicitation, such as soliciting donations through websites, text messages, QR codes,…Ninth Circuit Decision in Huntsman v. Corporation of the President of the Church of Latter-Day Saints
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently affirmed the summary dismissal of Huntsman v. Corporation of the President of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. In this case involving church autonomy, the court unanimously reached a decision; two…California Solicitation Registration Requirements for 501(c)(3) Charities
Many states, including California, have solicitation registration requirements that regulate charities that seek to solicit donations in the state. Charities can include various types of organizations but always include charitable entities that receive federal tax exemption under Internal Revenue Code…Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Organizations
Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has issued many executive orders (EOs), some of which directly affect charitable organizations. Many are subject to pending lawsuits, which impacts compliance with those orders. Here are five things that charitable…Workplace Violence Prevention Under California Law
On September 30, 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newson signed Senate Bill 553, establishing California Labor Code §6401.9. This Labor Code section went into effect on July 1, 2024. Cal/OSHA is developing a workplace violence prevention standard to meet the requirements…
TG 3-33: Foundation Classification – Type III Supporting Organizations – IRC Section 509(a)(3), Publication 6017
The preference of many charities is to have public charity status under the Internal Revenue Code instead of private foundation status. Private foundations are subject to more complex and strict regulations than public charities. An option for charities that want…
