An unfortunate example of a poor relationship between the nonprofit sector and a key elected official—in this case, Maine’s governor sticks it to land conservationists: http://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/20/lepage-assault-on-conservation-program-begins-in-augustas-backyard/

It passed legislation, signed by the President, that makes charitable deductions for donations made directly from IRA’s permanent, & enhances deductions for donations of food to foodbanks and land for conservation—Merry Christmas:  http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/congress-passes-bill-to-make-charitable-extenders-permanent?utm_campaign=news|2015-12-19&utm_source=pnd&utm_medium=email

New CA nonprofit regulations increase the legal and financial exposure of nonprofit board members: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/12/18/are-californias-new-regulations-the-beginning-of-an-ominous-trend-in-state-charity-oversight/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9M3LuA6sI7LfsJiOIHxICQAI9I29cD1Eu6b_8LlGt007CLAzdxCTcMHdhDbFwGMINsTk_JTtSp61dJZGRaOD1eL-69OMUzTYQtwCaicAn9Udd7i7g&_hsmi=24736579

Syrian refugee organizations are taking on inhospitable Republican governors:  http://www.wsj.com/articles/nonprofits-and-governors-clash-over-syrian-refugees-1450434601

Nonprofit Advocates—You might want to consider forming a 501(h) to make tracking your lobbying activity easier: https://www.cbiz.com/insights-resources/details/articleid/3162/electing-501-h-makes-more-room-for-lobbying-article

Family philanthropy plays a unique role in social justice giving—check out the story under “Member News:” http://view.s7.exacttarget.com/?j=fec71673746d037f&m=fe8d1372756c0c7970&ls=fe2e157076610574721271&l=ff6a107074&s=fe5417727262007e7c1d&jb=ff961677&ju=fe61157072640d7d7212&r=0

Congress is expected to extend some charitable tax provisions permanently: https://philanthropy.com/article/Congress-Set-to-Extend-Some/234653?cid=pt&utm_source=pt&utm_medium=en&elq=a25476c1bb9748b3a8d2c332d1f56900&elqCampaignId=2094&elqaid=7275&elqat=1&elqTrackId=7fd7beb66619490abbbd5af69aef948e

It can be short and simple—the key to effective fundraising, even in small nonprofits, is starting out with a written plan, and I can help you with that: http://ssir.org/articles/entry/to_boost_individual_donor_giving_nonprofits_need_a_plan#

The Chronicle of Philanthropy & Network for Good have teamed up on an online giving data dashboard—interesting numbers: https://philanthropy.com/interactives/online-giving-dashboard?cid=pt&utm_source=pt&utm_medium=en&elq=0b755b5e0dae4067ba454aa4b7ef8b96&elqCampaignId=2082&elqaid=7249&elqat=1&elqTrackId=6b9a4d13ce6b4ed7b57b5e5a1d78d4c2

The Boy Scouts may now admit gay leaders, but it still prohibits gay rights advocacy—my Nonprofit Quarterly newswire today: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/12/16/boy-scouts-new-ban-on-political-advocacy-to-be-tested/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8LzH-XiDEXupTOJ7e2MOoSDWOr2dSq3Np6YSs6vIDwanzZAuwhRpfbMHK-rQesQxc4Ee8m7dalkTtacR_S3c1f6_fBrnih8-Dsqt3Gl93syenPkB8&_hsmi=24652194

Here’s an example of a nonprofit that put energy into community engagement, resulting in a project the neighborhood embraced:  http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29251061/community-input-shaped-new-mental-health-clinic-denvers

Pennsylvania nonprofits join forces with civic leaders to protest the state’s budget impasse—my Nonprofit Quarterly newswire today:  https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/12/15/pennsylvania-leaders-protest-six-month-budget-impasse-calling-it-criminal/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_y2OJyLujzOABk4G04TzTE9dTBjShouKa7P1RWsMj_jf7QRO6M5jPiy3hRqlhkLAbWnlG-7RGvHIxDUCZsKu3VY8-1znPqTEReIclCeMkfUTzHaaM&_hsmi=24606572