Revised: What Is Philanthropy? A Documentary on Giving

What is Philanthropy?, an educational documentary that that portrays and discusses the concept of giving within the American context through a critical lens and a variety of perspectives, is now available through Indiana University Press. Use code FMG3XX to get a special introductory 30% discount.

The film covers the concept of giving from a variety perspectives including actor Mike Farrell, NFL quarterback Alex Smith, Evelyn Lauder from the Estee' Lauder Companies, Civil Rights Leader Dr. William G. Anderson, Nell Newman, co-founder of Newman's Own Organics, US Senator Charles Grassley, as well as leading scholars and average citizens.

The feature length film comes with the following:  20 scene selections by topic  4 special features  Subtitles in Spanish, French, Mandarin and English (SDH) Music by:  Ziggy Marley  Patti Smith  Peter Kaukonen  Mike Killeen

This documentary was an official selection of four film festivals and has been nominated for an Eclipse Award and Michigan Emmy Award. Here is what people are saying: "Your film will provide needed content for discussion at the higher education level about the valuable role that philanthropy plays in our American culture. College students can benefit from these stories as they consider career choices and how to best use their time and talent as well as financial resources to make a difference in a cause they care about." — Robert S. Collier, President of Council of Michigan Foundations

"As a faculty member to teaches nonprofit management I can tell you that this film will go a long way to fulfilling a need in today’s discourse relating to the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. Dr. Alaimo and his colleagues explore the many faces of philanthropy, highlighting its enormous contributions as well as its dark side. I am certain that this film will go a long way to changing the way that we, as a society, engage in charitable giving and public service." — Joanne Carman, Associate Professor, University of North CarolinaCharlotte

"I see many uses for this documentary: in formal high school, college and graduate level studies; tools for organizations such as the United Way, community foundations and giving circles to use with prospective donors and constituents; and through nonprofit, and foundation sector professional development programs." — Jill Kramer, Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning and Grants, Ivy Tech Community College

"Philanthropy is not well understood by policy makers or the general public. This film will help address that problem. A thorough and honest portrayal of the strengths and shortcomings of philanthropy will be just what the doctor ordered." — Aaron Dorfman, Executive Director, National Committee of Responsive Philanthropy

Because of Lack of Transparency at American Red Cross, The Federal Government Wants To Step In

Grassley, Thompson Introduce American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) today introduced legislation to give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes. The bipartisan, bicameral American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017 responds to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review, and has failed to be as transparent as it should be.

“The American people rely on the Red Cross to respond when tragedy strikes,” Grassley said. “The Red Cross is congressionally chartered and is a federal instrumentality.  It receives federal tax dollars for some of its disaster responses, and it receives the financial benefits of tax exemption and tax-deductible donations.  For those reasons, Congress has a responsibility to make sure the Red Cross answers questions asked on the public’s behalf and is operating up to the standards required of it during national disasters.   The Red Cross has shown an unwillingness at times to answer questions.  This legislation strengthens transparency to help make the Red Cross more accountable to the public.”  

“Response to and recovery from large-scale emergencies and natural disasters the scale of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Sandy are complicated and difficult and we must always look for ways to improve,” Thompson said.  “If the Red Cross continues to thwart oversight and stall goodwill attempts to be investigated, their operational challenges are sure to persist and improvement will never happen. To ensure that Red Cross will respect the GAO’s audit authority, I am partnering with Senator Grassley to introduce bipartisan legislation that clarifies Congress’ intent regarding GAO’s oversight authority and give GAO new tools to enforce it.  We owe it to our constituents to ensure that the Red Cross is subjected to the oversight necessary to ensure that funds that Americans so generously donate are not misused and that the Red Cross is a reliable response and recovery partner to the Federal government.”

The American Red Cross Transparency Act gives the GAO complete access to the Red Cross’ records when needed to conduct oversight.  If the Red Cross refuses to comply, the legislation provides the GAO with the authority to bring an action in court to force compliance.  

Ten years ago, Congress gave the GAO the broad authority to “review [Red Cross’] involvement in any Federal program or activity the Government carries out under law.”  Despite clear legislative intent, the Red Cross essentially stonewalled GAO when it tried to carry out an investigation requested by Thompson in September 2013.  After two years of stall tactics, delays, and a request from the Red Cross’ president that Thompson  cancel his GAO request and conduct future oversight via cell phone, the GAO analyzed information the Red Cross begrudgingly made available to complete its investigation.  Grassley explored the GAO access problem as part of his inquiry of problems with the Red Cross’ Haiti earthquake response.  He sent the results as a memo to his fellow committee members on both the Judiciary and Finance committees in 2016.

The Red Cross is congressionally chartered and considered a federal instrumentality, unique among tax-exempt organizations.  The federal taxpayers pay for some of the Red Cross’ work directly through federal tax dollars for disaster responses and indirectly through the tax dollars foregone to the Red Cross through its tax exemption and through tax deductions donors take for charitable donations to the organization. 

The legislation is available here. 

Thank you...it has been a great run

After more than 216 editions of Nonprofit Imperative, I have decided to cease publication.

In the past decade, we have faced an unsettling, even frightening, explosion of charity fraud. Charity malfeasance and fraud were an afterthought until we began identifying the enormity of the problem. Studies continue to show a level of corruption, mismanagement and overt pillaging and diversion of tens of billions of dollars---annually---that have been taken from those for which they were intended.

The problem, however, has not gone unnoticed. Nonprofit Imperative has chronicled it every step of the way.

·      Thousands of subscribers of Nonprofit Imperative e-newsletter have received the e-newsletter.

·      There have been hundreds of thousands viewers of our blog.

·      Nonprofit Imperative has been the ‘go-to’ stop for media including the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR. The list goes on approaching one hundred other publications and radio and television sites.

·      We have worked with state and federal lawmakers and regulators including Congress and state Attorneys’ General, to help stem the tide of charity fraud.

·      We have assisted hundreds of individuals who thought their favorite charity was compromised.

·      Two books on the topic of charity fraud---Nonprofits On The Brink and Silence: The Impending Treat To The Charitable Sector---have been written and have been incredibly well received.  (The latter is sometimes referred to as a mosaic of little leadership, little interest by Congress, and ineffective regulators, which has resulted in a sector untamed)

·      We have aided many thesis candidates in their authorship and defense of their graduate dissertations.

·      Presentations have been made throughout the nation, including at universities, on the topic of charity fraud.

As you can see we have worked non-stop to uncover unprecedented amounts of misconduct. Increased public awareness has been greeted with an increase in public distrust. For example, a Pennsylvania survey last week showed that only 10 percent of the respondents believe that public trust in the nonprofit sector is “high,” with 31 percent of the respondents saying that the level of trust had worsened.

Our efforts, however, have been met with denial and avoidance by influencers and decision makers. Sector leaders have shown little interest in the problem, relying on fantasy self-regulation as the answer. Sector overseers are preservationists who want no change because in their view, there is too much to lose. Moreover, leaders have been enablers by their silence, public abstention, and obfuscation---all of which have been the lifeblood of charity fraud.

The IRS and state attorneys’ general are more focused on regulation of tax collection rather than regulation of fiduciary behavior. Needless to say, a lawmaker’s attention in resolving any matter, including charity fraud, is of little import. Regulators, except for a few, have shown little interest unless charity malfeasance shows up in a headline. The probability of reaching a headline is minimal because investigative reporting is so prohibitively expensive only a few in the media can maintain critical staff. Politics and lack of resources have driven judgment. Boards have led with a detached indifference.

I remain somewhat optimistic in the hope that charity fraud will get the attention it deserves. All that is needed is a confluence of internal and external sector stakeholders to put the scourge of fraud, egregious malfeasance and inadequate board governance at the top of the list of resolvable issues.

On a most positive note, I want to thank you for your input, participation, support and loyalty. As with any undertaking, there have been frustrations, but the gratification and fulfillment that I have received have outweighed any setbacks many, many times over.

In this endeavor, I have gained friends and acquaintances that I will cherish forever. I thank you!

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Nonprofit Imperative gathers its information principally from public documents...some of which are directly quoted. Virtually all cited are in some phase of criminal proceedings; some have not been charged, however. Cites in various media: Featured in print, broadcast, and online media outlets, including: Charity Navigator, Vermont Public Radio, Miami Herald, National Public Radio (NPR), Huffington Post, The Sun News, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Wall Street Journal (Profile, News and Photos), “Betrayal”, (a movie), NBC (on Charity Fraud…TBD), FOX2, ABC Spotlight on the News, WWJ Radio, Marie Claire, Ethics World, Aspen Philanthropy Newsletter, Harvard Business Review, Current Affairs, Charity Navigator, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, St. Petersburg Times, Board Room Insider, USA Today Topics, Accountants News, Newsweek.com, Responsive Philanthropy Magazine, New York Times, Portfolio Magazine, The Virgin Islands Daily News, NANKAI (China) BUSINESS REVIEW, National Religious Broadcasters newsletter, The Charity Governance Blog, American Chronicle, Palm Beach Post, Detroit Free Press, Oakland Press, Nonprofit World, Socially Responsible Business Forum, PNNOnline, Ohio Nonprofit Resources, Nonprofit Good Practice Guide, Nonprofit Startup Guide, Nonprofit Blog, National Coalition of Homeless Newsletter, Finance and Administration Roundtable Newsletter, MichiganNonprofit.com, CORP! Magazine, Crain’s Michigan Nonprofit, ncrp.org, PhilanTopic, Nashville Free Press, Nonprofit Law Blog, Seniors World Chronicle, Carnegie Reporter, Assoc. of Certified Fraud Examiners Examiner, msnbc.com, Worchester (MA) Telegram and Gazette, Carnegie Corporation of America, EO Tax Journal, Wikipedia: Non-profit Organizations; Parent: Wise Austin, Accountants News, Veterans Today, Answers.com, Far-roundtable, #Nonprofit Report, nonprofithelpnews, nonprofit news; National Enquirer, Northwest Herald, The HelpWise Daily, The #Nonprofit Report, Wikipedia (Nonprofit Organization), Answers.com, Nonprofits: On the Brink (2006) Silence: The Impending Threat to the Charitable Sector (2011)

Nonprofit Imperative e-newsletter 12-16

Nonprofit Imperative

…your nonprofit browser

    December 2016

Follow us: NonprofitsNews; Nonprofit Imperative Blog

The monthly newsletter dedicated to:

• exposing the crisis in nonprofit fraud leadership…a crisis of pervasive and monumental waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and malfeasance throughout the charitable sector which costs taxpayers and contributors tens of billions of dollars annually; and,
• seeking reforms that will restore the public’s lost confidence in the sector.

What’s Included:

Skunk of the Month:

American Red Cross (once again); Triangle Aids Network; Sandy Hook Conviction…more

Breaking the Silence:

Federal And State Collaboration on Fraud

Charity Check Up:

AG’s Seeking Identity of Donors; $600,000 Mental Health Agency Theft

A Thought or Two:

Principle For Charities To Live By

Nonprofit News-In Case You Missed It:

New Charity Giving Leader; Goodwill; Vets Organization …more

Political/Official Chicanery:

VA; MS; SC; MI; NC; IL; CA; KS; IN …more

What Do You Think?

·       To do good, donors must do their homework

·       Give without being taken

What Is A Charity?   (charitynavigator)

America - the second most generous country (generous countries)

                                    ---------------------------------

Nonprofit think tanks are rife with conflicts of interest (New York Times)

                                    --------------------------------

Skunk of the Month…

     “They came to do good and they did very well indeed (for themselves).”

Skunk of the Month is the twice-monthly designation made by Nonprofit Imperative, the organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in nonprofits and government. The Skunk of the Month award is given to charities and government officials who show blatant disregard for the interests and trust of contributors and taxpayers. This month’s example is:ƒ

Senator Grassley: Red Cross Continuing Investigation… Some Movement

Sen. Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in July introduced legislation to give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes and improve the Red Cross’ internal investigative function.  The American Red Cross Transparency Act followed the results of a Grassley inquiry into the Red Cross’ response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake.  The inquiry found that the Red Cross spent approximately one-fourth of the $487.6 million raised for the relief effort on program management, fund-raising and other expenses; that it tried to quash a Government Accountability Office review of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review; and has a poorly staffed ethics and investigations unit.  This week, the organization notified Grassley that it plans to increase its Office of Investigations, Compliance and Ethics (ICE) staff to five full-time employees from three.   Senator Grassley sent us the following comment on these developments. 

“It’s good news to have more staff in the investigations unit, even if it’s a small increase.  My inquiry found that the investigations unit was poorly staffed and so mostly incapable of doing the kind of work donors might expect. When there are concerns about program results or spending, an investigations unit is the kind of entity that should be in place to review those concerns.  I’m disappointed that the Red Cross will continue to keep the investigations unit under management control instead of requiring it to report to the board of governors.  More independence would give the unit more teeth and so increase its effectiveness.  Also, making sure the Red Cross fully cooperates with the Government Accountability Office is still an important goal.  I intend to re-introduce my legislation in the next Congress.  The Red Cross is critical to disaster responses.  The American people rely on it, and Congress has a responsibility to help make sure it functions well.” 

The Red Cross is congressionally chartered and considered a federal instrumentality, unique among tax-exempt organizations.  The federal taxpayers pay for some of the Red Cross’ work directly through federal tax dollars for disaster responses and indirectly through the tax dollars foregone to the Red Cross through its tax exemption and through tax deductions donors take for charitable donations to the organization.  The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over federal charters.

Trump Foundation Admits Charity Violation

President-elect Donald Trump’s charity has admitted that it violated IRS regulations barring it from using its money or assets to benefit Trump, his family, his companies or substantial contributors to the foundation. According to a 2015 tax return posted on the nonprofit monitoring website GuideStar, the Donald J. Trump Foundation acknowledged that it used money or assets in violation of the regulations not only during 2015, but in prior years.

The tax filing, first reported by The Washington Post, doesn’t provide details on the violations. The filing’s release comes as the New York attorney general’s office investigates whether Trump personally benefited from the foundation’s spending, including several purchases detailed in reports by The Post.

The foundation’s admission in the tax filing isn’t the first time it has run afoul of laws and regulations governing charitable organizations. In October, the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, ordered the foundation to stop soliciting donations after it was discovered that the charity had been accepting outside contributions without the proper New York state registration.

The foundation also gave an improper $25,000 check to a political committee supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2013.Charities are barred from engaging in political activities, and the president-elect’s staff says the check he signed was mistakenly issued following a series of inexplicable clerical errors. Earlier this year, the Trump Foundation paid a $2,500 fine to the IRS over the check.

Texas Nonprofit Hit By Two Successive Large Embezzlements

At the Triangle AIDS Network (TAN)  (TX) $312,000 was stolen by the ex-director. She admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund lavish gifts and goodies for herself and her children at the expense of the medical care for the patients she oversaw, the board of directors and support staff could hardly believe anyone was capable of such a heinous crime. 

Now another culprit took advantage of the agency to pilfer tens of thousands of dollars more from the nonprofit’s already busted coffers. The second theft of reportedly between $60,000 and $160,000 occurred while the former executive was facing punishment for her crimes against the agency.

The longtime president Jeff McManus, who had been at the helm of the nonprofit for decades, said he has resigned from the agency amid the latest fiasco.

The new Executive said: “these abuses have a tremendous impact on people who need the services.”  (source)

Sandy Hook Charity Conviction

…“to help raise funds for increased school safety, families of victims, memorials to teacher heroes, awareness, and prevention in schools across America” was the mission of the Sandy Hook charity, 26.4.26 Foundation. Instead of using all of the donated funds to support its purported mission, the agency founder used $28,657 of donated funds to enrich himself and to support his personal training business, the court documents state. Federal officials arrested the founder in Tennessee on six counts of wire fraud on February 13, 2015. He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on May 12, 2016.

Breaking the Silence:

Collaboration Between FTC and State Charity Regulators

In May 2015, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state charity regulators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia filed a historic civil suit against four alleged sham cancer charities -- Cancer Fund of America (CFA), Cancer Support Services (CSS), Children’s Cancer Fund of America (CCFA), and The Breast Cancer Society (TBCS) -- and several of their executives, asserting that the charities engaged in deceptive charitable solicitation practices by making false and misleading claims in their appeals to donors. This was the largest joint action ever taken by the FTC and state charity regulators. CCFA, TBCS, and their respective principals reached an agreement with the plaintiffs at the time the complaint was filed. CFA and CSS later agreed to a $75.8 million judgment and to dissolve the organizations in March 2016.
The successful collaboration between the FTC and state charity regulators sent a clear message that both federal and state regulators will not tolerate deceptive fundraising practices. Moreover, charitable organizations that utilize gift-in-kind (GIK) programs should make sure that their valuation and ownership transfer of donated goods is proper and well documented, because such practices were at the center of the multi-state investigation. During the public session, regulators acknowledged that by working together, they were able to leverage resources and achieve an outcome that a single agency or regulator would not have been able to pursue on its own. Federal and state regulators are communicating more, sharing information with each other, and using technology to work together more efficiently and effectively. This means that, undoubtedly, there will be more multi-state cooperation among federal and state regulators to tackle perceived bad actors.

(EO Tax Journal)

Attorney Generals: Disclose Your Donors

A tempest is brewing, and the non-profit community is sounding an alarm. What started as a simple overlooked regulatory requirement has blossomed into a battlefield as Federal circuits from east to west are weighing the breadth of power state regulators may wield when dealing with charities. The trouble started when some states made the bold move to start enforcing their existing laws. More specifically, the Attorneys General in New York and California started requiring non-profits to disclose the identity of their donors before allowing solicitation activities to occur.
Initially, two organizations filed suit to enjoin the states from collecting their donor information. The charities argued that being compelled to disclose this information would result in a chilling effect, reasoning that donors would shy away from making contributions, which would cause the charities to lose support. Early on in the litigation, courts held that the states had every right to the charities’ donor information and denied injunctive relief. 
Then a third organization joined the fray with a similar plan, but in the midst of a wending judicial path, a different course was forged. The organization was granted a full trial and walked away with a win on the merits. While this signaled a temporary change in fortunes for the affected charities, the inconsistent judicial results have left all parties with more uncertainty than when they began. Now, this nascent line of jurisprudence is muddled, and it is up to either the courts or Congress to bring resolution and consistency to this sensitive Constitutional issue.

(Benjamin Akins, EO Tax Journal)

Charity Check Up:

PA. Mental Health Services Hit With $600,000 Theft Over 12 Years

A woman was arrested after she allegedly stole from a Philadelphia nonprofit that serves children. She is charged with theft and embezzlement. 
She was the director of Health and Management at Northern Children’s Services (NCS), a nonprofit organization that provides mental and behavioral health treatment services for children. As director, she verified the accuracy of consultants’ invoices and submitted them for payment. The executive is accused of preparing consulting invoices for relatives and friends who were never consultants for NCS. She also allegedly prepared invoices for people who were consultants for NCS but for work they never performed. She then allegedly forged the names of the recipients to cash the checks.

Officials say she stole approximately $607,067 from NCS between December of 2002 and April of 2014. 

A Thought or Two:

RAY DALIO at Bridgewater Associates shares some thoughtful fundamental life principles that are certainly applicable to today’s charitable environment. We will present one principle each newsletter. (principles)

Know when to stop debating and move on to agreeing

about what should be done

Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here. Send tips/stories to Nonprofit Imperative. Follow us on our blog or on Twitter---Nonprofits News

Nonprofit News…

In Case You Missed It:

1.     Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, the nonprofit spinoff of big asset-management company Fidelity Investments, knocked United Way Worldwide out of the No. 1 spot in this year’s Philanthropy 400, The Chronicle’s annual ranking of charities that raise the most from private sources. This changing of the guard in American philanthropy is a sign of how the competitive landscape and donor interests are evolving, marking the first time an organization that primarily raises money for donor-advised funds has held this top spot. United Way, a mainstay of American charity since its founding in 1887, was pushed from the top rung for only the second time since the Philanthropy 400’s 1991 debut. For years, the two organizations had been neck and neck in the rankings. In 2015 Fidelity bolted far out front, collecting $4.6 billion, a 20 percent increase from 2014. United Way saw donations drop by 4 percent to $3.7 billion.

2.     The CEO of Goodwill Omaha resigned in the wake of a World-Herald investigation showing that the charity’s top-dollar executive pay has consumed the profits of its signature thrift stores, leaving scant dollars for programs to help disabled and needy job-seekers.  Frank McGree’s departure was surely welcomed by donors upset by revelations of the charity’s profit-driven culture and big spending on executive pay. But one prominent donor also stressed that Friday was just a first step for Goodwill. Of about $4 million in profits generated by Goodwill’s thrift stores last year, only $557,000 found its way into its job programs, with the vast majority of program funding instead coming from outside grants and contracts. The rest of the thrift profits were gobbled up by the agency’s overhead expenses, including much executive pay.

3.     More than a third of the fraud incidents reported last year by charities were committed by staff, trustees or volunteers, the Charity Commission has revealed.

4.     New York’s Attorney General is barring an Albany pastor and his wife accused of taking money from a charity they controlled from accessing the organization’s finances. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman secured a restraining order against Pastor Edward Smart and Marion Smart today. The couple allegedly transferred $100,000 from the Israel Community Service Program to their personal accounts.  Schneiderman has also filed a lawsuit seeking to remove the Smarts as directors and officers of the organization. The Smarts and several other members of First Israel A.M.E., New York’s oldest black church, were arrested in October for welfare fraud. 

5.     Report: National Vietnam Veterans Foundation, which also operated as the American Veteran Support Foundation (the “NVVF”) spent the majority of its millions in contributions on paying professional fundraisers and insider expenses.
The charity is to permanently close and pay damages; the president and founder return severance, pay damages, issues an apology, and banned nationally from using charitable assets. (EO Tax Newsletter)

6.     The share of American adults who volunteered in 2015 continues to inch downward, a trend that has unfolded over the past decade.

We flagged these few examples of charity misdeeds:

1.     Northern Arizona University $354,000

2.     Bingo Charity (MS) more than $370,000

3.     International Health Care Services (IHCS) (MN) $10 million

4.     Pierce Middle School PTSA (MI) <$20,000

5.     Michigan Community Resources <$100,000

6.     Pines Condo Association (MI) <$20,000

7.     Chimes for Charity (TN) unknown

8.     Fullerton Aquatics Sports Team (CA) $266,000

9.     CT. Canine and Rescue $125,000

10.  Buckhannon Work Adjustment Center Inc. (WV) $136,000

11.  Harrison School District 2 Federal Credit Union (CO) $79,000

12.  LIFT3 Support Group Inc (CA) $53,000

13.  Junior League of Rhode Island $76,000

14.  YMCA (WA) $500,000

15.  Elk Point Ambulance Service (SD) $10,000

16.  Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 (CA) substantial

17.  Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service <$100,000

18.  University of Rhode Island Institute $1 million

19.  HEART Foundation/Heart Community Alliance (NY) $135,000

20.  Partnership for Warrenton Foundation (VA) $8000

21.  Veterans Health Administration Credit Union (MI) $2 million

22.  Second African Baptist Church (GA) $200,000

23.  Communications Workers of America, Local 3901 (AL) $69,000

24.  Calvert County church (MD) <$100,000

25.  American Legion (CT) $12,000

26.  Roanoke County library  (VA)  >$10,000

27.  Heritage High School football team (VA) unknown

28.  Goodwill Omaha (NB) $100s of thousands

29.  Helpers Community Inc./Helpers of the Mentally Retarded (CA) millions

30.  Three Oaks Baseball Association (MI) <$20,000

31.  Oregon Association for Career and Technical Education (OR) up to $127,000

32.  Air Warrior Courage Foundation (TX) $100,000+

Political/public official chicanery (just a few):

1.     A former Virginia Tech employee is being investigated for embezzling $127,000 from the university’s foundation and the Virginia Flower Growers Association over a number of years, according to a search warrant.

2.     Authorities say a former New Albany (MS) municipal court clerk has been arrested and charged with embezzlement.

3.     The former deputy tax collector for Tallahatchie County (MS) recently pleaded guilty to a $20,000 embezzlement.

4.     The director of a now defunct charity that is at the center of a fraud scandal involving U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown won't be sentenced until next June. Carla Wiley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud ($200,000++) in March, in connection with the questionable Virginia-based nonprofit One Door for Education Foundation.

5.     An Upstate South Carolina fire chief turned himself in to authorities after being charged with embezzlement.

6.     A Branch County (MI) receptionist has pleaded "no contest" to embezzlement after she was caught pocketing hundreds of dollars in fake patient fees.

7.     Family Foundations Academy administrator pleaded guilty to the embezzlement of over $161,000 from the charter school. He entered the plea to three counts of federal program theft.

8.     A former Simpsonville (SC) fire chief was charged with embezzlement after authorities discovered payroll records at Clear Springs Fire and Rescue had been manipulated. He is the second Clear Springs fire chief charged with embezzlement this year. In April, authorities arrested and charged Gregory Keith Merritt with embezzlement of public funds value $10,000 or more and two counts of misconduct in office, according to warrants.

9.     A former state police sergeant is now charged with embezzling money from the Cadillac (MI) post, accused of stealing nearly $10,000 from the evidence room.

10.  Former Lexington (NC) Parks and Recreation Manager Matthew Swift has been indicted on three counts of felony embezzlement for allegedly taking over $21,000 from the Lexington Recreation Department Booster Club.

11.  Federal prosecutors produced a 52 page indictment after more than a year of investigating Aaron Schock, a former congressman who represented parts of Central Illinois including Peoria and Springfield. There are serious accusations against Schock ranging from 2008 to late 2015 of embezzling, stealing, misapplying and converting without authority public funds for his own benefit.

12.  A former Jackson (MI) Public Schools principal confessed to embezzling more than $50,000 in school funds in accepting a plea deal. 

13.  The city of Compton’s (CA) deputy treasurer was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement, authorities said.

14.  A former city clerk for the city of Bennington (KS) has pleaded guilty in federal court in Topeka to $75,000 embezzlement, according to a statement from a U.S. Attorney.

15.  A former Monroe County (IN) Jail administrated pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $260,000 in county funds.

Readers, weigh in as to what you think…please continue the tips (they are very helpful) gary.r.snyder@gmail.com

Nonprofit Imperative gathers its information principally from media sources...some of which are directly quoted. Virtually all cited are in some phase of criminal proceedings; some have not been charged, however there is money missing. These incidents include only a fraction of the estimated $40 billion of charity crimes. On rare occasions, there may be duplicates.

We’re noticed: Cites in various media:

Featured in print, broadcast, and online media outlets, including: Charity Navigator, Washington Post, National Enquirer, The Patriot-News, Vermont Public Radio, Miami Herald, New York Times, National Public Radio, Huffington Post, The Sun News, In Touch, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Wall Street Journal (Profile, News and Photos), FOX2, ABC Spotlight on the News, WWJ Radio, msnbc.com, Marie Claire, Ethics World, Tactical Philanthropy, Aspen Philanthropy Newsletter, Harvard Business Review, Current Affairs, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, St. Petersburg Times, Board Room Insider, USA Today Topics, Accountants News, Newsweek.com, Responsive Philanthropy Magazine, , Portfolio Magazine, The Virgin Islands Daily News, NANKAI (China) BUSINESS REVIEW, National Religious Broadcasters newsletter, The Charity Governance Blog, American Chronicle,  Palm Beach Post, Detroit Free Press, Oakland Press, Nonprofit World, Socially Responsible Business Forum, PNNOnline, Ohio Nonprofit Resources, Nonprofit Good Practice Guide, Nonprofit Startup Guide, Nonprofit Blog,  National Coalition of Homeless Newsletter, The Michigan Nonprofit Management Manual, MichiganNonprofit.com, CORP! Magazine, Crain’s Michigan Nonprofit, ncrp.org, PhilanTopic, Nashville Free Press, Nonprofit Law Blog, Seniors World Chronicle, Carnegie Reporter, Assoc. of Certified Fraud Examiners Examiner, Worchester (MA) Telegram and Gazette, Carnegie Corporation of America, EO Tax Journal, Wikipedia: Non-profit Organizations; Parent: Wise Austin, Accountants News, Veterans Today, VPR News,

• Silence: The Impending Threat to the Charitable Sector (Xlibris, 2011)

…”This book should be read by everyone. It will send a shiver down the reader's spine to think that people with little money to spare have given generously…”

• Nonprofits: On the Brink (iUniverse, 2006)
• The Michigan Nonprofit Management Manual, Governance Section

Our intent is to keep you informed.... You may be removed from our contact list and future mailings by emailing to garysnyder4@gmail.com with the word "remove" in the subject line.

Email: gary.r.snyder@gmail.com; 248/324-3700;

Website:http://www.garyrsnyder.com

Gary Snyder is the author of Silence: The Impending Threat to the Charitable Sector (Xlibris, June, 2011) and Nonprofits: On the Brink (iUniverse, February, 2006) and articles in numerous publications. The book can be bought at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, Barnes and Noble (store)

© Gary R. Snyder, All Rights Reserved, 2016