Legal Issues

Funding Advocacy and Lobbying

Worry-Free Lobbying For Nonprofits How to Use the 501(h) Elecction to Maximize Effectiveness

Alliance for Justice
A handbook for funders and grantees bout using the 501(h).
PDF of this Resource

Advocacy Advisories

Alliance for Justice
This is a collection of periodic summaries for grantmakers on the advocacy rules on a wide array of topics.
Link to this Resource

Funding Nonprofit Advocacy: The Increasing Role of Foundations

NFG Reports
From the Fally 2002 issue of the newsletter of the neighborhood funders group, written by Nan Aron.
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Legal

Additional Resources

To obtain a copy of the following resources, please contact 503.226.6340 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Basic Legal Principles for Grantmakers and Other Materials

GOSW Summer School 2001-Legal Workshop
Lynne F. Siegel, Esq.
August 9, 2001

Legal Issues Important to Grant Managers

Council on Foundations
John A. Edie
November 21, 2002
Materials from the 4th Annual Grant Managers Network New York Region’s Annual Workshop held in New York.

Accountability

That’s the Ticket by Jane C. Nober

Foundation News & Commentary
“Accepting and using tickets and other tangible benefits of more than minimal value raises questions for foundation managers.” This article looks at what the tax code rules say is acceptable. From the May/June 1998 edition.
Link to this Resource

That’s Still the Ticket by Andrew C. Shulz

Council Columns, Council on Foundations
Written in the summer of 2004 as a follow-up to the article “That’s the Ticket” (link above).
Link to this Resource

Foundation Self-Dealing: What Every Grantmaker Should Know

Minnesota Council on Foundations
From the April/May 2004 edition of MCF Notes, addressing the basics of self-dealing.
Link to this Resource

Self-Dealing: A Concise Guide for Foundation Board and Staff

Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
This guide covers the basics of foundation self-dealing, including key definitions, common problem areas, exceptions and penalties, and recommended steps for handling self-dealing issues.
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990-PF

What You Should Know Before Signing Your Organization’s Form 990-PF

Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
Written for the chairpersons of private foundations and other top officers who are accountable for the organization and sign the Form 990-PF, this publication delineates the important safeguards they should undertake before signing the tax return.
Guide for Foundation Officers

Making the Most of Your Form 990-PF

Minnesota Council on Foundations
Link to Tip Sheet

Demystifying the 990-PF

The Foundation Center
This online “Learning Lab” is written for grantseekers, but provides some basic information that can be helpful to grantmakers.
Link to Demystifying the 990-PF

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