September 26, 2008 First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is encouraging §7871 organizations to apply to be a part of a new grant program and research initiative. Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 will be given to §7871 organizations selected to participate in the study. Generally, private foundations and public charities fall under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For Tribal Governments, however, the Indian Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act of 1982 supported Indian nations in establishing, regulating and controlling philanthropic activities within their communities under the leadership of the Tribal Government. This act, codified as the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §7871, allows tribes to create programs (including community development programs and grant making foundations) that can be controlled and regulated by the tribe but also can receive donations that are tax deductible for the donor (and meet the qualifying distribution test for mainstream foundations). Establishing tax-exempt Tribal Governmental organizations under IRC §7871 allows Tribes to maintain a greater degree of sovereignty than they would under the more ubiquitous 501(c)(3) designation. Even the United States Supreme Court has held that Indian nations possess a status higher than States. Thus, the more traditional 501(c)(3) designation unfairly subjects Indian nations (and their political subdivisions) to the oversight of States' Attorney General Offices, where jurisdiction over "expressly public and charitable purposes" is generally housed. First Nations will work with the selected §7871 organizations to gather data for a report targeted at educating and informing foundations, corporations with charitable giving programs, and the philanthropic community about §7871 organizations. Additionally, the report will provide critical information for tribes and tribal communities to assist them with developing new or supporting existing §7871 organizations. "§7871 organizations are largely misunderstood by mainstream funders and the general public," stated Michael E. Roberts, President of First Nations Development Institute. "This lack of understanding and acceptance greatly reduces the ability of tribes to raise critically needed funding." Roberts says the program was created to educate the philanthropic sector about §7871 organizations in an effort to ensure tribes creating 7871 organizations retain their rights and guard their sovereignty when trying to access funding and compete on the same level playing field as their mainstream nonprofit and philanthropic counterparts. "Additionally, this important study will also yield information to help support tribes that have existing §7871 organizations or those considering creating new §7871 organizations in an effort to expand philanthropy in tribal communities," says Roberts. "We hope to learn more about §7871 organizations and the different forms they take," stated Sarah Echohawk Vermillion, Vice President of First Nations Development Institute. "The purpose of the research that comes out of this grant making program is to generate data about §7871 organizations, their institutional structures and programmatic areas, and to highlight benefits and methods of giving to §7871 organizations." Interested §7871 organizations should go to www.firstnations.org to download instructions and complete a short application. The deadline for applying is 5:00 p.m. (MST) November 21, 2008. For more information about this project, contact Sarah Dewees, Director of Research / sdewees@firstnations.org; or visit First Nations Development Institute's website at www.firstnations.org. ###
Generally, private foundations and public charities fall under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For Tribal Governments, however, the Indian Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act of 1982 supported Indian nations in establishing, regulating and controlling philanthropic activities within their communities under the leadership of the Tribal Government. This act, codified as the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §7871, allows tribes to create programs (including community development programs and grant making foundations) that can be controlled and regulated by the tribe but also can receive donations that are tax deductible for the donor (and meet the qualifying distribution test for mainstream foundations).
Establishing tax-exempt Tribal Governmental organizations under IRC §7871 allows Tribes to maintain a greater degree of sovereignty than they would under the more ubiquitous 501(c)(3) designation. Even the United States Supreme Court has held that Indian nations possess a status higher than States. Thus, the more traditional 501(c)(3) designation unfairly subjects Indian nations (and their political subdivisions) to the oversight of States' Attorney General Offices, where jurisdiction over "expressly public and charitable purposes" is generally housed.
First Nations will work with the selected §7871 organizations to gather data for a report targeted at educating and informing foundations, corporations with charitable giving programs, and the philanthropic community about §7871 organizations. Additionally, the report will provide critical information for tribes and tribal communities to assist them with developing new or supporting existing §7871 organizations.
"§7871 organizations are largely misunderstood by mainstream funders and the general public," stated Michael E. Roberts, President of First Nations Development Institute. "This lack of understanding and acceptance greatly reduces the ability of tribes to raise critically needed funding." Roberts says the program was created to educate the philanthropic sector about §7871 organizations in an effort to ensure tribes creating 7871 organizations retain their rights and guard their sovereignty when trying to access funding and compete on the same level playing field as their mainstream nonprofit and philanthropic counterparts. "Additionally, this important study will also yield information to help support tribes that have existing §7871 organizations or those considering creating new §7871 organizations in an effort to expand philanthropy in tribal communities," says Roberts.
"We hope to learn more about §7871 organizations and the different forms they take," stated Sarah Echohawk Vermillion, Vice President of First Nations Development Institute. "The purpose of the research that comes out of this grant making program is to generate data about §7871 organizations, their institutional structures and programmatic areas, and to highlight benefits and methods of giving to §7871 organizations."
Interested §7871 organizations should go to www.firstnations.org to download instructions and complete a short application. The deadline for applying is 5:00 p.m. (MST) November 21, 2008.
For more information about this project, contact Sarah Dewees, Director of Research / sdewees@firstnations.org; or visit First Nations Development Institute's website at www.firstnations.org.
###
The D-Q Unity Coalition has recieved approval from the majority of the D-Q University Board of Trustee Members, to continue with their efforts to SAVE D-Q UNIVERSITY. The Coalition is now asking the community for assistance at this crucial time, in order to protect and save the land while also assisting Native Peoples to retain their traditional ways. PLEASE HELP US before we lose what little we have.
D-Q UNIVERSITY IS IN URGENT NEED OF SUPPORTERS TO OCCUPY AND PROTECT IT FROM BEING TAKEN AWAY!!! All are welcome. For more information please refer to volunteers section on the lower left.
The Fifth Issue of Seventh Native American Generation (SNAG) magazine is on sale now! "Power of the Womb" features stories highlighting women, mothers and Mother Earth. All the content - art, stories, poetry, photographs - were created by Natives 35 and under. Support young Indian Country!!! The beautiful, glossy color magazine also features a Music Compilation CD with artists including: Blackfire, Fuga, Goodshield, Rebel Diaz, Quetzal, Jeremy Goodfeather, Indigenous, Cihuatl Ce, Quese IMC, Native Guns, Arigon Star and more! All for only a $5 donation + $1.80 shipping. Order on our website: http://www.snagmagazine.com. Or, mail a check to: SNAG Magazine, P.O. Box 40597 San Francisco CA 94140.
Teatro Zinzanni Presents LGBTZ An Evening of Pride and Celebration Thursday, July 31 Buy tickets online Teatro ZinZanni takes pleasure in presenting LGBTZ, a special evening of pride and celebration for the Bay Area’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities on Thursday, July 31 in ZinZanni’s elegant antique spiegeltent at Pier 29 on the Embarcadero. The evening will include a special raffle to include a “Diva-in-a-Box” package, Teatro ZinZanni performance tickets, and items from the ZinZanni boutique. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Native American Aids Project. Co-presented by Theatre Rhinoceros, the event features the current production, Hail Caesar!, featuring the irrepressible Frank Ferrante in the role of Chef Caesar and one of the most acclaimed stars of the Moulin Rouge in Paris, Debbie de Coudreaux as Cleo, Queen of the Nile. Music, laughter, romance and desire insue when a resurrected Cleopatra sets her sights on a fast-talking, wise-cracking chef named Caesar. Call our Box Office at 415-438-2668 for more information! Teatro ZinZanni thanks the LGBTZ media sponsors:
as promised,according to ARTICLE7SECTION2, ASPECIAL MEETING OF THE D.Q. BOT IS BEING CALLED @11a.m.@the redlion inn sac.as perscribed inARTICLE 7 PARTB. any questions please call. the number is listed on previous postings. the agenda will be made available at the meeting. the agenda will be followed after board approval. any comments or questions we request that you write them down please sign your name. walk in peace.
so now susan, you say you want FULL trustee presents, who would this board consist of? or do you know? and why is a death in one family a good reason to cancel a meeting but not ok for the inital board to cancel a meeting, letting there be an illegal meeting to take place? maybe you need to put that on your agenda.
re:the d.q.board of trustees mting, this to notify you that their is a death of a 96yr, old elder. because of this sad development,the d.q.board has decided to postpone the board mting until aug.2cd. location t.b.a. our apologies for this unexpected change. again, because of the seriousness of our gov.deadline,the d.q. trustees thought it would be in the best interests to have FULL trustee presence during this most critical time @d.q. our agenda is packed . everyone is welcome. walk in peace .for those who have any questions please call 916 4831978.
finally i got on!!! i would like to make a correction to the e-mail address of calvin hendricks it is maidu67@hotmail.com or maidu67@yahoo.com but i'm sure it is on hotmail. he has been on the board of trustees for D-Q University for some time now (since 2005) and has just been reinstated for another term. he also happens to be the chair person. so, if you need legal details regarding the BOT and it's meetings, i suggest you contact calvin. also you can speak with him on the boards stance towards the D-Q Unity Coalition, a group who for many years has been fighting the struggle to keep D-Q alive ( so far, still sucessful-thank you). and YES, we (the coalition) welcome your heartfelt support, in whatever way you can. once again thank you.
