The nonprofit sector in America is made up of over 1.9 million tax exempt organizations and accounts for nearly 6% of the nation's gross domestic product. This course will introduce the major legal rules that govern nonprofit organizations, beginning with the historical context that has shaped the modern nonprofit sector. We will explore the different forms of nonprofit organizations and their associated legal obligations, and we will examine the rules that govern nonprofit activities such as fundraising. We will also look at the constraints nonprofit organizations face regarding both political activity and internal employment considerations. Finally, we will examine the various oversight mechanisms designed to keep nonprofit organizations in line with their mission as well as look to the future and explore how the nonprofit sector may continue to evolve.
Welcome to this introductory course on the laws that shape and govern the nonprofit sector in America! In this first module, we will look at the history and development of the nonprofit sector in the United States. We'll see the influence of early theories of charitable work as well as the evolving relationship between nonprofit organizations and the government.
What's included
8 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 54 minutes
Welcome to the course!•2 minutes
What is the Nonprofit Sector?•4 minutes
Development of the Nonprofit Sector•3 minutes
Early American Nonprofit Law•11 minutes
Tax Law History•9 minutes
Changing Relationship with the Government•9 minutes
Nonprofit Roles•13 minutes
Nonprofit Characteristics•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 80 minutes
What is the nonprofit sector?•20 minutes
Early American Nonprofit Law•30 minutes
The Nonprofit Sector and Government•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 40 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•40 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Choosing the Charitable Form: Legal Requirements & Alternatives
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
This module will introduce the different entity choices available to the nonprofit sector and the various considerations that go into choosing a corporate form. In particular, we examine how the primary purpose and fundraising strategy can influence the particular form chosen. Finally, we look at the different obligations to state and federal governments that nonprofit entities must fulfill to maintain their exempt status.
What's included
7 videos4 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 51 minutes
Introduction: State and Federal Law of Nonprofits•2 minutes
Taxonomy/Overview of Organizational Forms•5 minutes
Formation Considerations: Sector•3 minutes
Formation Considerations: State Law Form•9 minutes
Formation Considerations: Federal Requirements for 501(c)(3) Status•15 minutes
Formation Considerations: Public Charities vs. Private Foundations•11 minutes
Summary & Consequences of 501(c)(3) Status•6 minutes
4 readings•Total 125 minutes
Formation Considerations•20 minutes
Formation of Nonprofit Organizations•45 minutes
Federal Exemption Requirements•30 minutes
Operational Requirements•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 40 minutes
Module 2 Quiz•40 minutes
Legal Issues When Operating a Nonprofit
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
This module examines the operational challenges that are particular to the nonprofit form. What legal obligations must a nonprofit fulfill when bringing in revenue? Under what circumstances may exempt organizations participate in lobbying or political activity? Finally, we will study the seemingly simple issue of distinguishing between employees and volunteers in the nonprofit setting.
Raising Funds: Grant Expenditure Responsibility•4 minutes
Lobbying & Politics•4 minutes
Distinguishing between Volunteers and Employees•5 minutes
Conclusion•1 minute
8 readings•Total 170 minutes
The Illustrated Nonprofit Economy•10 minutes
Commercial Activity and the Operational Test•30 minutes
Unrelated Business Income Tax•10 minutes
Charitable Contribution Deduction•30 minutes
Charitable Solicitation Registration•20 minutes
Grants by Private Foundations•20 minutes
Political Campaign Activities•20 minutes
Nonprofit Organizations and the Fair Labor Standards Act•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 40 minutes
Module 3 Quiz•40 minutes
Accountability; Directions for the Nonprofit Sector
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this final module, we address accountability - who is charged with ensuring that organizations that have been formed as nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations abide by their expected and legal purposes and activities?
What's included
9 videos6 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 48 minutes
Accountability - External Oversight•9 minutes
Accountability - Internal Governance•16 minutes
Accountability - Conclusion•1 minute
Directions for Nonprofit Law and Policy - Introduction•1 minute
Directions in the Nonprofit Sector's Relationship with Government•7 minutes
Directions in the Nonprofit Sector's Relationship with the Market•6 minutes
Directions in the Nonprofit Sector's Relationship with Democratic Society•4 minutes
Other Ongoing Developments in the Law of Nonprofits•3 minutes
Conclusion•1 minute
6 readings•Total 90 minutes
Good Governance Practices•10 minutes
Fiduciary Duties of Directors•20 minutes
Recommended Governance Practices•20 minutes
Federal Government Contracts and Grants for Nonprofits•20 minutes
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
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