Charity News Archives - Nonprofit Corporations & Charitable Organizations

Criminals Test Stolen Credit-Card Numbers on Charity Websites

The Chronicle of Philanthropy: “Criminals are using poorly protected charity websites to test the validity of stolen credit-card numbers, cybersecurity experts said this week, costing some groups thousands of dollars. Simplified online donation pages make it easy for people to give — but also serve as prime testing ground for credit-card thieves. ‘There’s a giant target painted on the industry’s back that is very advantageous for credit-card thieves,’ said Kevin Conroy, chief product officer at GlobalGiving. Although not a new problem, it is now “near universal,” said Matt Holford, chief technology officer at DoSomething.org.”

Richard Keyt2015-09-26T08:40:14-07:00Charity News|0 Comments

First Church of Cannabis Gets 501(c)(3) Tax Exemption from IRS

USA Today: “Emotions appeared to be sky high at the newly formed First Church of Cannabis after the Internal Revenue Service granted it nonprofit status. The designation means donors can deduct gifts to the church on their federal tax returns if they itemize and the church is eligible for a property-tax exemption in Indiana. The organization has raised $10,905 in a gofundme.com solicitation but has not found a home yet. “What a GLORIOUS DAY it is folks,” the founder and grand poohbah, Bill Levin, wrote May 26 in a Facebook post announcing the church’s IRS approval as 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.

Richard Keyt2018-01-14T10:38:13-07:00Charitable Organizations, Charity News, IRS News|0 Comments

Tucson Nonprofit Helps People with HIV or AIDS

Tucson News Now: “In Tucson a new organization has formed to serve women with HIV and AIDS. The nonprofit PowerSource Tucson, Inc. says it’s the only group of its kind in Arizona. . . . PowerSource Tucson says the stigma surrounding the disease means women tend to be more isolated, feeling alone and without support.”

Richard Keyt2015-05-27T21:37:18-07:00Charitable Organizations, Charity News|0 Comments

4 Cancer Charities Are Accused of Fraud

New York Times: “There were subscriptions to dating websites, meals at Hooters and purchases at Victoria’s Secret — not to mention jet ski joy rides and couples’ cruises to the Caribbean. All of it was paid for with the nearly $200 million donated to cancer charities, and was enjoyed by the healthy friends and family members of those running the groups, in what government officials said Tuesday was one of the largest charity fraud cases ever. At the center of the operation was James T. Reynolds Sr., who opened the Cancer Fund of America in 1987. Over the decades, according to a complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission and regulators from 50 states and the District of Columbia, he expanded the enterprise to four separate groups and was joined by his son, friends and members of his Mormon Church congregation in Knoxville, Tenn.”

Richard Keyt2015-05-27T21:31:57-07:00Charitable Organizations, Charity News|0 Comments