7.3 Earthquake hits Haiti; Tsunami feared

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by bignasty

I don't have the exact law. I have the exact stat from that law.

Do you cite sources with all your posts?

If asked for the cite, yes.

But if that's how we're playing this game . . .

Originally Posted by bignasty

Under the law charities only have to spend 10% of the donations they receive on the vitims.

You're wrong.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

If asked for the cite, yes.

But if that's how we're playing this game . . .

You're wrong.

I there any legal limit to the amount of money that can go for administration costs?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I there any legal limit to the amount of money that can go for administration costs?

You know Vito, I really personally can't remember this. I work for a nonprofit, and I know we do a good job at keeping administrative costs down, but I don't know if that's because of tax law or because of the rules of our grants. (Many of our grants have that rule, but the number varies from grant to grant)

(Both federal grants and some private grants)

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

It's MM, so yes to both

Ahhh I see.

Originally Posted by Senusret I

You know Vito, I really personally can't remember this. I work for a nonprofit, and I know we do a good job at keeping administrative costs down, but I don't know if that's because of tax law or because of the rules of our grants. (Many of our grants have that rule, but the number varies from grant to grant)

(Both federal grants and some private grants)

I'm not aware of any federal tax law that limits the amount of money you put toward administrative costs as long as private inurement has not occurred. As Senusret I said, certain grants do have overhead limitations that you account for when submitting the grant budget.

I'm still very curious about bignasty's 10% stat. The only specific number that even comes close is the 5% rule for private foundations. They're required to spend a minimum amount equal to 5% of their assets each year.

Back to laws regarding restricted (earmarked) funds. Federal laws regarding public charities are surprisingly vague. State laws, however, do vary. Most charities have a policy regarding restricted funds, including how to deal with those funds if they are no longer needed.

However, I'm not aware of any federal or state laws regulating what percentage of restricted or unrestricted funds have to go toward program expenses vs. administrative expenses. That's pretty much left up to the charity.

[MysticCat]

^^^ And to add to what Sen and jeni said, there are Better-Business-Bureau-type organizations and certifications for non-profits that require a cap on administrative costs.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by bignasty

John Stossel did a story for 20/20 a few years ago on the Red Cross and non profits. Some of the execs in the story were making 6 or 7 figures. According to Stossel only 10% of the donations had to go to the victims and as much as 90% could be spent on expenses.

Are you serious?!?!?!?!?! LOL!

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by bignasty

The administratives costs can not be more than 90%. Like I told you the first two times the minimum that has to go to the victims is only 10%.

Dude like people have been telling you, you need to cite this shit. The lawyers, as well as an employee of a non profit are saying that they have no idea where this stat is coming from.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by bignasty

Like I told you the first two times the minimum that has to go to the victims is only 10%.

Like I told you, you're wrong.

Originally Posted by bignasty

John Stossel did a story for 20/20 a few years ago on the Red Cross and non profits. Some of the execs in the story were making 6 or 7 figures. According to Stossel only 10% of the donations had to go to the victims and as much as 90% could be spent on expenses.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by bignasty

I am right. Cite a source proving me wrong.

No problem.

To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct.

Source: http://www.irs.gov/charities/charita...=96099,00.html

To recap:

1) The expenses of a non-profit (administrative, fundraising, programming) must be tied directly to its exempt purposes.

2) Expenses may not inure to any private shareholder or individual, meaning that no single person can benefit unreasonably from a non-profit's activities.

3) Expenses cannot go toward attempting to influence legislation as a substantial part of the non-profit's activities.

These are the rules.

In reality, a non-profit can spend 100% of its revenue on salaries if it wanted to, as long as no private inurement took place.

There is no such thing as a 10%/90% rule as you're suggesting. Either you heard wrong or the "reporter" was blowing smoke.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by shimano

The legal minimum is 10% and the maximum is obviously 100%. The 90% that I mentioned was the max that a charity can spend on administrative costs, ads, fundraising, overhead, junkets to Hawaii, ect.

Which is not true.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by shimano

Then prove it. Posting the max does not dispute my post of the minimum.

There is no law that can be referenced which supports your assertion. I actually think you're confused -- perhaps you are familiar with a specific grant which requires that figure and you're misinterpreting that for a hard and fast rule in every situation.

The sources have already been cited.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by shimano

Are you an idiot? Your post does not dispute anything. I said the legal MINIMUM a charity has to spend on the victims is 10%. You reply with a charity can spend 100%. No Shirlock.

The legal minimum is 10% and the maximum is obviously 100%. The 90% that I mentioned was the max that a charity can spend on administrative costs, ads, fundraising, overhead, junkets to Hawaii, ect.

She said "In reality, a non-profit can spend 100% of its revenue on salaries if it wanted to, as long as no private inurement took place." She did not say that a charity can spend on victims. She said they can spend 100% on SALARIES.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by bignasty

I am right. Cite a source proving me wrong.

LOL. You really are too funny. To quote an "authority:"

Originally Posted by bignasty

Look it up yourself.

Originally Posted by bignasty

I don't need help making the point. I already made it.

Hey, you're the one who set the rule that we can claim whatever we want without backing it up. (And sorry, Stossel as an authority is just plain laughable.)

Whatever. At the end of the day, you're still wrong. And sad.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by bignasty

I am right. Cite a source proving me wrong.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Dude like people have been telling you, you need to cite this shit. The lawyers, as well as an employee of a non profit are saying that they have no idea where this stat is coming from.

He did.

"I saw it on TV"


And if you can't accept that well, tough luck, homes...

...and pull your pants up.