The redesigned Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, has been the subject of much discussion since the IRS released it in 2007. As the exempt sector and practitioners have been adjusting to the new filing requirements, areas of confusion have been identified. Earlier this year, an IRS official reported filing errors in approximately 1% of redesigned Forms 990 filed electronically during 2010. Common errors include failure to file Schedule O, Supplemental Information to Form 990, and failure to complete required lobbying details when a Sec.
Grantmakers in the Arts
July 20, 2011 by Steve
Cultural industries are economic powerhouses and states have the data to prove it, according to a new analysis from the National Endowment for the Arts. Drawing on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arts and the GDP: Value Added by Selected Cultural Industries is a new NEA research note that examines the value added by three selected cultural industries: (1) performing arts, sports, and museums; (2) motion pictures and sound recording; and (3) publishing (including software). Combined, these three cultural industries contributed a total of $278.4 billion to the U.S.
July 18, 2011 by Steve
Critical Contributions: Philanthropic Investment in Teachers and Teaching is a new report that examines recent foundation activity to improve instruction and offers an in-depth review of grantmaking in the 2000s. A key finding of the report was the magnitude of philanthropic investment in strengthening teacher quality—between 2000 and 2008, $684 million was directed toward teachers and teaching. Half of this funding came from a group of ten foundations. Similarly much of it—60 percent—was directed to just twenty organizations.
July 18, 2011 by Steve
Helen Walters from Fast Company on the persistent problems with design thinking, and the attempts to graft its processes onto businesses:
July 18, 2011 by Steve
William I. Miller took the reins of The Wallace Foundation on July 1. Today he introduces himself via email:
Dear Colleagues,
As the new president of The Wallace Foundation, I want to introduce myself and let you know how much I look forward to working together with all of you.
July 17, 2011 by Steve
From the Glasspockets Blog:
Kudos to the James Irvine Foundation for two very visible steps designed to increase its grantmaking transparency and participation. This month the Irvine Foundation announced that it will introduce a new grantmaking strategy for its support of the arts in California, effective 2012.
July 15, 2011 by Steve
From Narric Rome at ARTSBlog:
July 15, 2011 by Steve
TCG's I Am Theatre video series spotlights the stories of theatre practitioners, in their own words. With 50 videos over the next 50 weeks, the series celebrates TCG's 50th anniversary by sharing stories from a diverse group of people who are creating, supporting, and engaging with theatre. A new video will post weekly of individuals sharing pivotal moments in theatre and you are encouraged to tell your stories too. Watch this week's video of Rachel Grossman, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's Connectivity Director.