The Tax Cut and Jobs Act, signed into law just before the Christmas holiday, ulitimately did not include the changes to the "Johnson Amendment" in the House version that had the charity and philanthropy communities very upset. It also didn't include the universal charitable donation, which would have extedned incentives to nonitemizers. Council on Foundations CEO Vikki Spruill said the act "will result in a decrease of $16-$24 billion in charitable giving every year, significantly decreasing the philanthropic sector’s ability to provide resources and services to people across the United States and abroad." This sentiment was reflected by other groups representing different factions of the nonprofit community.
GKG Law's Associations Practice Group has updated its comprehensive analysis on how the new law will affect executive compensation, UBIT, and other financial concerns for associations. To read this analysis, click here.
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The New Year is a time when people take stock and start afresh. They make resolutions, they change plans, they molt off their old skin so a new “you” can emerge.
I’m doing that. I’m resolving to lose at least 10 pounds by Valentine’s Day. Wish me luck, I’m going to need it. I’m also looking inside myself and around me and in front of me, and hoping I’ll emerge like the Phoenix a refreshed and different being. Break out of the comfort zone and into areas that are much more exciting. Explore a new volunteer effort or an interest there wasn’t time for previously. Find a new way of doing things just because - caution be damned.
I say this every year, but let’s all make 2018 a year of change, a rebirth, a setting of a new path. Who’s with me?
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Part of taking stock of yourself is remembering who helped you fill your personal stock room. Perhaps I'm getting nostalgic because it’s the end of the old year, beginning of the new year, or that I celebrated a milestone professionally this year. I would like to thank those who have been my mentors, confidants, advisers, colleagues…and friends, personal and professional. Thanks to all of TRENDS' regular contributors, past, present and perhaps future - you all made my job easier. I especially would like to thank Jill Cornish, former TRENDS publisher and owner, for giving me the extraordinary opportunity and honor to be the TRENDS editor. I also would like to thank Joel Poznansky, CEO of Columbia Books & Information Services, who kept me on after the acquisition. Finally, thanks to all of you. I hope you all - subscribers, executives, partners and your organizations - have a terrific and prosperous 2018!
Thinking Aloud, by Ed Dalere