Countering “Domestic Terrorism”: What the White House’s New Memo Could Mean for Nonprofits

Below is an update prepared before the shutdown of the federal government. At this point we have nothing useful to say about that so we will focus only on last week’s news… Countering “Domestic Terrorism”: What the White House’s New Memo Could Mean for Nonprofits prepared by Haley Swanson, Scholz Nonprofit Law On September 25, 2025, the White House released a National Security Presidential Memorandum entitled “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence” (the Memo). The Memo outlines a new national strategy to combat violence and “terroristic activities,” which it links to an “anti-fascist” movement. According to the Memo, that [...]

By |2025-10-02T15:48:03-05:00October 2nd, 2025|501(c)(3), Compliance, Employment, Nonprofit|Comments Off on Countering “Domestic Terrorism”: What the White House’s New Memo Could Mean for Nonprofits

July 29 DOJ Memo and August 7 Executive Order

Excuse this long update but we want you to be aware of recent communication from the Trump Administration, primarily on DEI issues. TL;DR: stay focused on creating work and program environments that treat people with differing characteristics, beliefs, experiences, and viewpoints with dignity and respect, regardless of their differences. On July 29, the Office of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi released a memo titled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” (DOJ Memo). The Memo provides a list of practices that the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) describes as “not mandatory and intended to be practical guidance.” [...]

By |2025-08-14T15:51:17-05:00August 14th, 2025|Compliance, DEI|Comments Off on July 29 DOJ Memo and August 7 Executive Order

May 22 Webinar on Nonprofit Advocacy

We continue to track government actions that may affect your organization. The Trump Administration's recent budget proposal includes reductions in funding many of you rely on.At this point these are just proposed reductions but we want to make you aware of sources for tracking this information and focus on two major proposed reductions.We need the people most affected by these changes to speak up and put on a face on impact of these cuts. Sign up for our May 22nd webinar if you want to know more about advocating as a 501c3 organization.The National Council of Nonprofits is a [...]

By |2025-05-09T12:28:08-05:00May 9th, 2025|501(c)(3), Compliance, Nonprofit|Comments Off on May 22 Webinar on Nonprofit Advocacy

Reminder: IRS Form 990 Due Date

Reminder: IRS Form 990 Due Date Most tax-exempt organizations are required to file an “annual report” (Form 990) with the IRS each year. For organizations whose accounting year is the calendar year, the due date is May 15. It’s important to file each year – organizations that fail to file the annual report for three consecutive years will have their tax-exempt status automatically revoked. Click here for more details on Form 990 due dates. Form 990 has different versions depending on gross revenues. Generally, if your gross revenues are $50,000 or less, you qualify for Form 990-N. If your revenues [...]

By |2025-04-28T09:08:54-05:00April 28th, 2025|501(c)(3), Nonprofit, Taxes|Comments Off on Reminder: IRS Form 990 Due Date

April 21, 2025 Legal Update

We have been collecting reports about recent threats to nonprofit organizations, especially those focused on climate advocacy, immigration and international aid. Many are also concerned about potential challenges to Harvard’s tax-exempt status.These concerns are real, and your questions are valid, but much of what’s circulating about sector-wide impacts is rumor. That said, some rumor may evolve into concrete threat. Trust that we are keeping an eye on issues that may impact our clients.Remember, there are laws in place. Many threats, if acted upon, may not be lawful and will likely be challenged.For peace of mind, please remember:A President cannot [...]

By |2025-04-21T19:56:49-05:00April 21st, 2025|501(c)(3), Compliance, Nonprofit|Comments Off on April 21, 2025 Legal Update

March 19, 2025 Legal Update

DEI Update On February 25, we announced that a federal district court judge held the Trump administration’s executive orders regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) unconstitutionally vague and an overly broad regulation of speech. As a result, the court issued a pause on their enforcement, preventing the freeze or termination of any awards, contracts, or obligations pursuant to these directives while litigation was pending. On Friday, that block was lifted by an appeals court. The stay allows federal agencies to enforce the executive orders while the Trump administration’s appeal proceeds, a process that could take months. The three-judge [...]

By |2025-03-19T12:23:19-05:00March 19th, 2025|Compliance|Comments Off on March 19, 2025 Legal Update

Federal Judge Blocks Key Provisions of Trump’s Executive Orders on DEI

On Friday, a federal judge in Baltimore issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from terminating or altering federal contracts deemed equity-related, citing potential constitutional violations, including infringements on free speech. Plaintiffs argued that two executive orders, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, exceeded presidential authority by attempting to override Congress’s exclusive power of the purse. They also contended that the orders unlawfully sought to silence those who disagreed with the administration by threatening loss of federal funding and other enforcement actions. The lawsuit specifically challenged the [...]

By |2025-02-25T17:39:06-06:00February 25th, 2025|501(c)(3), Compliance, Nonprofit|Comments Off on Federal Judge Blocks Key Provisions of Trump’s Executive Orders on DEI

Webinar: Legal Updates for Nonprofits

Join us for legal updates on issues affecting nonprofits and the communities they serve. We will share what we know (and what we don't!), with a focus on how to keep moving forward. Webinar will not be recorded. Scholz Nonprofit Law Jeff Mandell from Law Forward Grant Sovern from Quarles & Brady / Community Immigration Law Center Thursday, February 6, 2025 11 - 12:30pm CST Registration required. Questions about the webinar?  Email:  tracy@scholznonprofitlaw.com Substantive client questions?   Email:  melissa@scholznonprofitlaw.com

By |2025-01-30T16:09:42-06:00January 30th, 2025|Compliance, Events, Nonprofit|Comments Off on Webinar: Legal Updates for Nonprofits

REMINDER: IRS Reporting

Thank you for the opportunity to work with you. We greatly appreciate the contributions you make in the community and the trust you place in us to assist you. We look forward to being able to serve you in 2025. This is a reminder that all nonprofits have an obligation to submit various reports to the IRS and to the state each year. Below is an explanation of these key tax filings and their deadlines: 1) Form 1099 – You may be required to issue Form 1099-MISC for miscellaneous payments such as rent or Form 1099-NEC for payments to [...]

By |2025-01-15T01:32:04-06:00January 15th, 2025|501(c)(3), Nonprofit, Taxes|Comments Off on REMINDER: IRS Reporting

FLSA and Corporate Transparency Act

CHANGES TO FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA)An update to our Announcement on June 5th, 2024Exempt Worker Salary Thresholds:In June, we announced updates to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new rule increasing the minimum salary requirements for exempt employees under the FLSA. These changes aimed to extend overtime protections to more lower-paid salaried workers.White-Collar Exemption (such as administrators, managers, and teachers):July 1, 2024: Minimum salary increased to $844 per week ($43,888 annually).January 1, 2025: Minimum salary was set to increase to $1,128 per week ($58,656 annually).Highly Compensated Employee Exemption:July 1, 2024: Minimum salary increased to $132,964 per year, including [...]

By |2024-12-03T23:16:08-06:00December 3rd, 2024|501(c)(3), Compliance, Employment|Comments Off on FLSA and Corporate Transparency Act
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