Examines the structure, governance, operation, and regulation of charitable organizations. Such not-for-profit entities, which are ordinarily tax exempt, include public charities, private foundations, and charitable trusts; collectively, they control billions of dollars in charitable assets. Considers the distinctions between not-for-profit and business corporations, focusing on the responsibilities, obligations, and potential liabilities of officers, directors, and trustees of charitable organizations. Explores IRS rules concerning self-dealing, deductibility of contributions, and taxation of unrelated business income. Considers cases extending First Amendment protection for solicitation of charitable funds and the impact of such decisions on the efforts of the states (including New York) to regulate fraudulent, deceptive, and misleading solicitations.

Spring 2008.