This report draws on a first of its kind ICNL database of state domestic terrorism statutes to warn about the chilling impact these laws can have for U.S. civil society.

A growing array of legal threats make it harder for nonprofit organizations and activists in the U.S. to do their work. This article covers 10 major legal threats to U.S. civil society.

This ICNL Guide explains how states can comply with the FATF Recommendations relevant to the non-profit sector and provides concrete examples of positive practices and strategies.

There has been a recent flurry of investigations in the current U.S. House of Representatives that target nonprofit organizations - creating burdens and risks for both the organizations being investigated and the nonprofit community.

In the wake of complaints about law enforcement’s response to the George Floyd protests, local, state, and the federal government have proposed reforms to better protect the freedom of assembly. This resource page provides examples of some of these reforms.

Around the world, governments are constraining civil society and dissent. A common tactic of these governments is to enact legislation targeting civil society groups that receive international funding.

States across the U.S. have adopted over forty new laws that restrict the right to peaceful assembly. These laws can criminalize and deter constitutionally protected protest activity, undermining our First Amendment rights.

Across the country, governors and lawmakers are using various tools to limit, punish, and deter demonstrations at state capitols.

This report examines the current environmental regulatory system in India, and identifies opportunities and challenges to meaningful public participation in environmental decision-making.

ICNL led a participatory process engaging over 100 experts from across Latin America and the Caribbean to develop and propose the twelve principles contained in the Declaration, which is also available in Spanish.

The Declaration of Inter-American Principles on the Legal Framework for the Creation, Operation, Financing, and Dissolution of Non-profit Civil Entities were adopted and subsequently forwarded to the Permanent Council for it's consideration and subsequent submission to the General Assembly.

The United States, along with the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Zambia, will host the second Summit for Democracy from March 29-30, 2023.

This ICNL briefer covering the problems with anti-rioting laws including allowing the government to bring charges with extreme penalties against protesters, politicians, and other Americans engaged in protected First Amendment activity.

This briefer examines how new types of technology used by the government to surveil protests can lead to abuse and deter demonstrators from exercising their First Amendment rights. It then outlines how both courts and lawmakers can respond to this threat.

Firearms pose an urgent threat to the exercise of First Amendment rights of free expression and peaceful assembly in the United States. Armed individuals at protests can discourage people from voicing their beliefs and petitioning the government for change. ICNL works with US partners to strengthen people’s right to assemble peacefully, unimpeded by the presence of guns

Politically motivated boycotts have long been a tool for social change in the United States, from American colonists’ boycott of British tea to civil rights activists’ refusal to patronize segregated businesses in the Jim Crow South. Despite this proud tradition, Americans’ ability to use their consumer power to have their voices heard is under new threat after some states have penalized boycotts on positions with which they disagree.

Briefer summarizes these laws and implementation practices governing civil society organization in the 35 Organization of American States member States.

The U.S. has seen a rise in protests against the construction of gas and oil pipelines, driven by concerns about pipelines’ harm to the environment, indigenous land, and landowner rights. In response, fossil fuel interests have promoted new laws that limit and chill the First Amendment rights of individuals who protest near pipelines and other infrastructure sites. On September 14, 2022, ICNL Senior Legal Advisor Elly Page testified on these issues before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

Laws restricting demonstrations, boycotts, and other modes of activism are increasingly reducing the space for civic mobilization in the United States. To learn more about this problem check out this op-ed in the LA Times by ICNL’s Nick Robinson.

Learn about the uncertainty for gun regulation that Bruen creates and the options lawmakers still have to protect rights to peaceful assembly.

In a forthcoming article in Minnesota Law Review, ICNL’s Nick Robinson argues that U.S. jurisdictions should eliminate anti-rioting laws, both to better protect demonstrators and because anti-rioting laws are fundamentally unnecessary.

Following a swell of racial justice protests that have taken to the streets, politically charged bills are being introduced across the United States which give immunity to drivers who injure protestors.

In an article in Cornell Law Review, ICNL’s Nick Robinson and Elly Page argue for more robust constitutional protection for civil disobedience at demonstrations. 

On April 5, 2022, the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary's subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing on enhancing the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938. ICNL Senior Legal Advisor Nick Robinson testified, highlighting these issues and outlining recommendations.

The Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) needs to be fixed. This Just Security article reviews the strengths and discusses potential options for improvements.

These comments, written by ICNL's U.S. Program team, are in response to the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) from the Justice Department’s National Security Division to solicit suggestions for potential amendments to implementing regulations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Armed individuals intimidate and discourage people from exercising their rights to speech and assembly, and they have interfered with basic democratic processes like voting and lawmaking. They also pose a very real threat to public safety. This briefer discusses reasonable and constitutionally-sound regulatory options at the federal, state, and local level to keep guns away from protests.

ICNL is working with a broad coalition of civil liberties, racial justice, environmental, and other groups to address anti-protest measures in the United States.

In this San Francisco Chronicle article, written by ICNL's Senior Legal Advisor Nick Robinson with UC Berkeley School of Public Health's Rohini Haar, the authors critique the recent uses of "less lethal" weapons using national and international laws and standards. It continues by outlining current legislation in California meant to curb the use of this form of force by law enforcement on peaceful demonstrations and act as an example for the rest of the nation.

Following a swell of racial justice protests that have taken to the streets, politically charged bills are being introduced across the United States which give immunity to drivers who injure protestors.

Since 2017, ICNL has tracked introduced anti-protest legislation in the United States. This page uses data from ICNL's US Protest Law Tracker to analyze major themes in legislation impacting the freedom of peaceful assembly in the US. Whether it was the struggles of the founding fathers or movements for women’s suffrage and racial justice, the right to protest is critical to ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, and progress is made.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is both sweeping and vague. Recently, there have been many attempts by Congress to strengthen FARA enforcement. While well-intentioned, without modifying the Act, stronger enforcement could have significant negative consequences. This briefer introduces the dangers FARA could pose to civil society, both in the US and abroad.

ICNL's Protest Law Tracker has identified an ongoing wave of anti-protest legislation targeting racial justice demonstrations and Black Lives Matter protests.

ICNL partnered with the Global Digital Policy Incubator (GDPi) at Stanford University to host the first-ever Tech Camp for civic space defenders.

ICNL lead a coalition of groups working to protect the freedom of assembly in the US in response to a growth in government actions targeting demonstrators.

President-elect Joe Biden has made revitalizing democracy at home and abroad central to plans for his new administration. This piece in Just Security by ICNL's Elly Page and Nick Robinson lays out five actions that the incoming administration can take to better protect the freedom of assembly.

In the face of a potentially contested 2020 US election, there are concerns that authorities will infringe First Amendment rights. This article provides guidelines that the US government should follow to ensure all voices are heard in this election.

In response to nationwide protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, law enforcement has used tear gas or rubber bullets in over 100 U.S. cities. The use of these and other “less lethal weapons” (LLWs) for crowd control has been heavily criticized.

In response to nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd, law enforcement officials have frequently used so-called “less lethal weapons” (LLWs) on crowds and individuals. These weapons, which include tear gas, rubber bullets, and Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), can cause serious physical and psychological harm.

This briefer, presented by ICNL and ECNL, outlines some of the common legal and extralegal measures used to target civil society actors working on climate justice. Many of these measures violate international and regional law, and threaten civil society’s ability to function and find solutions to urgent global environmental challenges.

Protests have spread across major U.S. cities over police violence against people of color, sparked by the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The police response to these protests has often been militarized and aggressive, targeting not only peaceful protesters but also members of the media with arrests and violence.

The COVID-19 pandemic does not have to be a crisis for human rights. In the context of widespread adoption of emergency laws and other extraordinary measures to respond to the pandemic, many governments have demonstrated that it is possible to safeguard rights while effectively countering the virus. This briefer shares positive practices that governments should follow in responding to COVID-19, along with selected examples of these practices.

This report assesses opportunities and obstacles in charitable donations of virtual currencies. It aims to bring civil society organizations, would-be virtual currency donors, and policymakers up to speed on emerging trends.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the United States has seen numerous protests, albeit at a relatively small scale. However, an adequate set of rules to protect both the freedom of peaceful assembly and public health have yet to be developed.

In this report, the UNSR on Freedom of Expression registers alarm that some efforts to combat the coronavirus disease pandemic may be failing to meet the standards of legality, necessity, and proportionality. The Special Rapporteur highlights five areas of concern, showing that access to information, independent media, and other free expression rights are critical to meeting the challenges of the pandemic.

Face masks are in the news. The CDC now recommends that Americans wear face masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19, and some localities are mandating wearing them for certain activities, such as entering a grocery store. Yet, at least 18 states and Washington DC have laws that could be used to penalize those who wear face masks.

The Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is maintaining a list of the current elections schedule and plans during the COVID-19 pandemic response, as reported by electoral management bodies and news media across the world. Their list is not comprehensive but represents a snapshot of decisions and events across the globe.

This New York Times article looks at leaders around the world who have passed emergency decrees and legislation expanding their reach during the pandemic. Will they ever relinquish them? This article looks at the history of emergency responses and what is happening now.

The United States is in the midst of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. All 50 states, as well as the federal government, have now declared emergencies and issued a range of executive orders to combat the spread of the virus. While COVID-19 is a serious threat to public health, measures to address it should not become a serious threat to civil liberties. Emergency

Across the country, communities are gathering at rallies and marches to express concerns about pipelines’ impact on the environment, landowner rights, and indigenous land. “Critical infrastructure” laws target these kinds of gatherings. This ICNL produced one-page overview explains what critical infrastructure laws are and how they can be used to limit freedom of assembly in the US.

In this piece for the Center for Global Development, ICNL Alliance Advisory Council Member Michael Pisa discusses how the use of digital tools to monitor the coronavirus spread raises serious questions about governments continuing to use these surveillance tools for other purposes after the crisis.

In an article for Just Security, ICNL President Douglas Rutzen and Legal Advisor Nikhil Dutta discuss government overreach during pandemics and list recommendations on how states can promote rights-respecting governmental measures during a public health emergency.

ECNL Senior Legal Advisor Marta Achler's piece discusses why the internet and the online spaces are a 'lifeline' for expression and assembly during the coronavirus pandemic. She writes that this lifeline is under threat and deserves much more protection and how there is an immediate opportunity to change that.

The coronavirus is a significant threat to public health; it does not need to be a significant threat to civic freedom. In this article, ICNL explores this tension and how governments can move quickly while upholding human rights in their response to a public health crisis.

This briefing explores key trends in philanthropy and their possible impact on civic space. It is one in a series commissioned by ICNL as a part of its Civic Space 2040 initiative to help inform civic space advocates about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This briefing explores the trends in emerging digital technology most likely to shape civic space, and opportunities for civil society advocates to mitigate and capitalize on the changes ahead. It is one in a series commissioned by ICNL as a part of its Civic Space 2040 initiative to help inform civic space advocates about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This briefing explores how states’ responses to the climate crisis over the next two decades will affect civic space for a range of established and new civic actors. It is one in a series commissioned by ICNL as a part of its Civic Space 2040 initiative to help inform civic space advocates about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Our 2018-2019 annual report aims to highlight the progress civil society is making to counter restrictions and expand civic space.

ICNL started the U.S. Protest Law Tracker in 2017 to monitor a wave of anti-protest legislation that undermines people’s freedom of assembly.

This legislative briefer focuses on how critical infrastructure bills can undermine protesters’ right to peaceful assembly by creating draconian penalties for trespass as well as severely penalizing vaguely defined interference with the construction or operation of critical infrastructure sites.

Environmental groups are known for their fight against climate change, but the battle over their activism has moved indoors to legislatures and courtrooms.

In the past several years, activists who are part of the BDS movement have called for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS).

Review of the many of the poorly written aspects of FARA and where confusion, manipulation and abuse may take place.

The US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is a sweeping and generally underenforced public disclosure statute.

In December 2018, a group of immigrant rights groups and law school human rights clinics presented the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with evidence of the U.S. government’s targeting of immigrant rights activists.

In June 2018, ICNL convened a group of organizations to address the growing trend of anti-protest laws being introduced at the state and federal level in the United States.

Strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs, are a type of lawsuit that impedes the ability of civil society to advocate on issues of public importance.

The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law is pleased to share our latest issue of Global Trends in NGO Law.

Global Trends in NGO Law, Volume 9, Issue 1 (October 2018) The United States, like many other countries in recent years, has witnessed mass protest […]

The United States has recently witnessed a rise in demonstrations surrounding the construction of natural gas and oil pipelines, with highly publicized protests at Standing Rock and other pipeline construction sites.

In August, the National Park Service proposed a rule to charge protest organizers fees for clean-up costs associated with demonstrations on public sites in Washington, DC. Public sites would include the National Mall where many historic demonstrations in the United States have been, including Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

On August 15, 2018, the U.S. National Park Service proposed a number of changes to the regulations governing the management of permitted demonstrations and special events on the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

U.S. university campuses have long been associated with student protests and free expression. In recent years, there has been a revitalization of this tradition with many campuses seeing a surge in student demonstrations.

In the United States, collective liability is increasingly applied in the context of demonstrations. This trend can lead to results that are unjust to protesters or organizations charged on such grounds.

This article by Alexandra Ellerbeck and Avi Asher-Shapiro in the Columbia Journalism Review examines recent moves by the US government enforce the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) against media outlets.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a disclosure statute enacted in 1938, was designed to limit the influence of foreign governments and foreign “propaganda” in the United States. Congress is looking to update this legislation and strengthen its enforcement.

This letter to US Congress, signed by 46 humanitarian and development organizations (including ICNL) expresses concern over the government's ramping up enforcement of FARA without better targeting the Act.

Universities in the United States have long been associated with campus protest, and recent years, this tradition has been revitalized: Many campuses are seeing a surge in student demonstrations, whether related to Black Lives Matter, immigration policies, environmental campaigns, or other issues.

“Foreign agents” are suddenly in our midst – or so it seems. Paul Manafort was indicted, in part, for failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Last fall, RT and Sputnik registered as “foreign agents” under pressure from the Justice Department.

The emergence of new surveillance technologies has raised concerns about their potential abuse by U.S. law enforcement authorities, including inappropriate surveillance of demonstrations.

This briefing, released in February 2018, explores how select recent changes, or proposed changes, in laws or regulations in the United States affect domestic civil society organizations (CSOs), international CSOs working inside the U.S., and U.S. CSOs working internationally.

The United States is a longstanding democracy that prides itself on setting an international standard for the protection of civil liberties, including the right to peaceful assembly.

ICNL has worked in the United States to protect civil society and promote philanthropy since 1992.

This series of factsheets summarizes the reports of former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Maina Kiai (2011-2017).

Recent years have been marked by a global trend of shrinking civic space. In response, the United States Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission organized a hearing on threats to civil society around the world.

The past three months have seen a spike in large scale protests across the United States, accompanied by a wave of proposed state laws which if passed would restrict people’s protest rights.

There has been relatively little public or congressional debate within the United States about the NSA’s overseas surveillance operations, which are governed primarily by Executive Order (EO) 12333.

For optimal readability, we highly recommend downloading the document PDF, which you can do below.

For optimal readability, we highly recommend downloading the document PDF, which you can do below.

This handbook by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) aims to provide guidance for the police in facilitating the right to assemble peacefully.

Published in 2016, this book-length publication examines 11 countries - both within Europe and elsewhere - and provides comparative perspective on regulation of freedom of assembly in Europe.

PUBLISHED: AUGUST 4, 2015 ICNL is honored to be recognized once again by The NonProfit Times (NPT) in its 2015 Power & Influence Top 50.  […]

This paper by the American Bar Association Center for Human Rights explores the legal framework for cross-border funding as a protected right at international, regional, and national levels.

This document was issued by USAID in response to a closing civil society space in order to give guidance on balancing a democratic commitment to transparency and the imperative to protect the security of implementing partners and beneficiaries.

This report from Freedom House analyzes instances of mass social protests in 12 countries in order to identify best practices in promoting and protecting the right to peaceful assembly.

This 2014 Amnesty International report raises human rights concerns on law enforcement response to protests in Ferguson, Missouri, such as intimation of protestors, dispersal of protests, restrictions on media and accountability of law enforcement.

This report presents the findings of the monitoring of public events undertaken by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in selected OSCE participating States between May 2013 and July 2014.

For optimal readability, we highly recommend downloading the document PDF, which you can do below.

PUBLISHED: AUGUST 1, 2014 ICNL is honored to be recognized by The NonProfit Times (NPT) in the 2014 Power & Influence Top 50.  The list celebrates […]

1 of 5 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ● BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR ● WWW.HUMANRIGHTS.GOV U.S. D EPARTM ENT OF S TATE D […]

1 [Post-conference draft of March 21, 2005] AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW AND REGULATION OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES W. Cole Durham, Jr.,1 […]

This 2013 report by the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations (INCLO) report examines protest case studies from the United States, Israel, Canada, Argentina, Egypt, Hungary, Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom, reflecting on several specific topics.

PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 23, 2013 “We must do more to spur global action” against restrictions on civil society, said US President Barack Obama in his opening address of […]

pdfcrowd.com open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API ’ , 3 / 2 0 $ & […]

PUBLISHED: JUNE 24, 2013 On June 20, 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a USAID regulation that required organizations to adopt the government’s anti-prostitution stance in order […]

Kotnikova ulica 28 , 1000 Ljubljana T: +386 1 369 77 00 F: +386 1 369 78 32 E: gp.mddsz@gov.si www.mddsz.gov.si SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACT I. […]

growth and common limitations, which fall under four main areas: new actors and models, giving voice and agency to civil society, funding for social justice, […]

February 20, 1998 The Honorable John Shively, Commissioner Department of Natural Resources 400 Willoughby Avenue Juneau, AK 99801-1724 Sam Cotten, Chair Alaska Public Utilities Commission […]

This report presents the findings of the monitoring of public events undertaken by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in selected OSCE participating States between May 2011 and June 2012.

Corporate Philanthropy and Law in the United States: A Practical Guide to Tax Choices and an Introduction to Compliance with Anti -Terrorism Laws By Thomas […]

13 THE SUPREME COURT, MATERIAL SUPPORT, AND THE LASTING IMPACT OF HOLDER V. HUMANITARIAN LAW PROJECT Robert Chesney* Over the course of the post-9/11 era, […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

Charitable and Private Foundations in Ukraine By Alexander Vinnikov 1 Unlike many countries, Ukraine has no special law on foundations. Indeed, before adoption of the […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

U.S. Department of Justice Supplemental Statement Washington, DC 20530 Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended INSTRUCTION SHEET-READ CAREFULLY 1. Use. […]

OMB NO. 1124-0005; Expires February 28, 2014 U.S. Department of Justice Short Form Registration Statement Washington, DC 20530 Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act […]

OMB NO. 1124-0001; Expires February 28, 2014 U.S. Department of Justice Registration Statement Washington, DC 20530 Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, […]

OMB NO. 1124-0004; Expires February 28, 2014 U.S. Department of Justice Exhibit B to Registration Statement Washington, DC 20530 Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration […]

OMB NO. 1124-0006; Expires February 28, 2014 U.S. Department of Justice Exhibit A to Registration Statement Washington, DC 20530 Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration […]

Exempt Organizations Provisions – Internal Revenue Code (Tit le 26, United States Code) Section Number Subject(s) 501(a) Exemption from taxation 501(b) Tax on unrelated business […]

Utah Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act Utah Code Ann. § 16-6a et seq. 16-6a-101. Title. This chapter is known as the “Utah Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act.” […]

NONPROFIT CORPORATION ACT Act 162 of 1982 AN ACT to revise, consolidate, and classify the laws relating to the organization and regulation of certain nonprofit […]

Hawaii Statutes – Chapter 414D: HAWAII NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS ACT Part I: GENERAL PROVISIONS 414D-1: Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited […]

ARIZONA Title 10 – Corporations and Associations Chapter 24 GENERAL PROVISIONS-NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS Article 1 Short Title 10-3101. Short title Chapters 24 through 40 shall be […]

Alaska Statutes – Chapter 10.20.: ALASKA NONPROFIT CORPORATION ACT Article 01.: SUBSTANTIVE PROVISIONS 10.20.005.: Purposes. Corporations may be organized under this chapter for any lawful […]

NY – Tax Laws Article 28 – SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES § 1116. Exempt organizations. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any […]

ARTICLE XVI Taxation Section 1. The power of taxation shall never be surrendered, suspended or contracted away, except as to securities issued for public purposes […]

T i t l e 2 4 R e v i s e d C o d e o f W a s h i […]

CHAPTER 41. NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS GENERALLY Subchap. Sec. A. INCORPORATION … 41.1 B. SPECIAL PROCEDURES … 41.51 C. FORMS … 41.101 Subchapter A. INCORPORATION Sec. 41.1. […]

NEVADA CHAPTER 82 – NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS GENERAL PROVISIONS NRS 82.006 Definitions. As u sed in this chapter, unles s the context otherwise requires, the words […]

MASSACHUSETTS C H A P T E R 1 8 0 – C O R P O R AT I O N S F O […]

Louisiana Revised Statutes Revised Statute 12 – NONPROFIT CORPORATION LAW §201. Terms defined As used in this Chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, (1) “Address” […]

ILLINOIS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (805 ILCS 105/) General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986. ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS (805 ILCS 105/101.01) (from Ch. 32, par. […]

Florida Statutes CHAPTER 617 CORPORATIONS NOT FOR PROFIT 617.01401 Definitions.–As used in this act, unless the context otherwise requires, the term: (1) “Articles of incorporation” […]

CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE PART 2. NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS CHAPTER 1. ORGANIZATION AND BYLAWS Article 1. Title and Purposes 5110. This part shall be known […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 14, Issue 1-2, April 2012 Eugene H. Fram1 Not-for-profit (NFP) boards didn’t receive very high grades in 2010, […]

Over the course of the post-9/11 era, the U.S. Supreme Court has had much to say about the government’s response to terrorism as that response relates to military detention and trial before military commissions.

This report on human rights defenders in the Americas, published in 2011 by the Inter‐American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), is a follow up to the body's 2006 report on the same subject.

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

This document has been provided by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). ICNL is the leading source for information on th e legal environment […]

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies conducted this study on the legal environment for volunteers in emergencies.

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2011  By Tara McKelvey* One of the newest models in a Vargashi car factory […]

This law review article by Mark Sidel explores the different legal and policy approaches to terrorism in the US and UK, and the effects on civil society organizations in both countries. 

This handbook was produced by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as a guide for civil society organizations that might initiate independent monitoring of peaceful assemblies in their own country.

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 12, Issue 4, November 2010 By Elizabeth A. Bloodgood1 and Joannie Tremblay-Boire2 We examine variations in nongovernmental organizations’ […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 12, Issue 4, November 2010  By Jude Howell* Following President Bush’s declaration of a “war on terror” in […]

These guidelines by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) offer a practical toolkit for legislators and practitioners responsible for implementing laws by drawing on good-practice examples from national legislations in European and OSCE participating States and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights to illustrate the various legislative options used to regulate issues pertaining to the freedom of assembly.

PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and CIVICUS are pleased to announce that on September 30, 2010, the United Nations […]

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 22, 2009 Doug Rutzen has been invited to teach international and comparative civil society law this semester at Georgetown University Law Center. Together […]

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 5, 2009 On Friday, January 2, 2009, USAID published the Final Rule for the controversial Partner Vetting System (PVS).

  The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 4, August 2008 Donald Morris1 The potential use of charitable organizations to provide cover for […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 3, June 2008 Mark Sidel 1 This article focuses on the legal and political environment for […]

PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 1, 2008 Doug Rutzen has been invited to teach international and comparative civil society law again this semester at the University of Pennsylvania […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 1, December 2007 Benny D. Setianto1 The notion of civil society reemerged in political and sociological […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 1, December 2007 Kay Guinane 1 Over the past year, the legal and regulatory environment impacting […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 1, December 2007 Sarah R. Eremus1 I. Introduction The stated mission of the United States Agency […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 1, December 2007 Josh D. Friedman1 Introduction Using new laws and novel tactics that permit the […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 1, December 2007 Thomas Silk1 The board of directors in the United States is today composed […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 1, December 2007 As The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law begins its tenth year, we devote […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 10, Issue 1, December 2007 Grant Williams1 A top official of the Internal Revenue Service says the tax […]

PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 24, 2007 On Monday, October 22 the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development’s trial concluded with no convictions. The jury failed to […]

PUBLISHED: AUGUST 28, 2007 USAID will delay implementation of their new “Partner Vetting System.” Officials stated that the screening would not begin until all comments […]

PUBLISHED: AUGUST 27, 2007 USAID has proposed a new “Partner Vetting System” to vet directors, officers, and other employees of NGOs seeking USAID funding. Under […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 9, Issue 3, July 2007 By Kerry O’Halloran Routledge. 437 pp. $150 Reviewed by David Robinson 1 Kerry […]

PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 14, 2006 On December 14, 2006, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced ten Guiding Principles on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the full text of […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 9, Issue 1, December 2006 Claude Rosenberg and Tim Stone1 Too often, individuals make decisions about how much […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 9, Issue 1, December 2006 Arthur C. Brooks1 ‘Tis the season to give. Our mailboxes are filling with […]

PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 29, 2006 On November 21, 2006, U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins struck down portions of Executive Order 13224, which enabled the President to […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 4, August 2006 By Haim Sandberg * Many nonprofit organizations use commercial fundraising companies for telemarketing. […]

PUBLISHED: JULY 17, 2006 As part of a strategic collaboration between ICNL and the University of Pennsylvania Law School (www.law.upenn.edu), Doug Rutzen has been appointed […]

PUBLISHED: JULY 13, 2006 After reviewing a number of proposals, the Council on Foundations announced that it has awarded ICNL with a contract to continue […]

PUBLISHED: JUNE 2, 2006 In the first half of 2006 ICNL’s landmark work has appeared before the United States Congress on three occasions: On February […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 3, May 2006 By Sada Aksartova1 Throughout the 1990s, the most ambitious American efforts to promote […]

PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 10, 2006 On February 8, 2006, ICNL testified before the US Helsinki Commission to address the current issues with the NGO law in […]

PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 5, 2005 On December 5, 2005, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a revised set of voluntary anti-terrorism financing guidelines to assist […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2005 By Thomas Silk1 Senator Charles Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, began […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2005 By Pablo Eisenberg1 The nonprofit sector has experienced rapid changes in its composition, […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2005 H. Peter Karoff is the Founder and Chairman of The Philanthropic Initiative, www.tpi.org, […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2005 Arthur Drache, Chairman of the Board of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 2, November 2005 By Charles B. Maclean and Jim Moore1 The record-breaking string of natural disasters […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2005 Susan Raymond is Senior Managing Director for Research, Evaluation and Strategic Planning of […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2005 Diana Aviv is the President and CEO of Independent Sector, https://www.independentsector.org, a Washington-based […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 8, Issue 1, November 2005 Bill Landsberg is an attorney and the Executive Director of The Pikes Peak […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 4, September 2005 By Robert C. Lowry1 What explains the variation in the size of organized […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 4, September 2005 By Kelin E. Gersick, with Deanne Stone, Katherine Grady, Michele Desjardins, and Howard […]

PUBLISHED: APRIL 20, 2005 The House Committee on Ways and Means convened a public hearing on April 20, 2005 on “An Overview of the Tax-Exempt […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2005 By Robert Buchanan* The Council on Foundations The Council on Foundations, founded in […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2005 By Thomas Silk and Rosemary Fei* On September 29, 2004, California Governor Arnold […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 2, February 2005 By Marion R. Fremont-Smith Reviewed by Michael Bisesi* “The nonprofit sector exists and […]

PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 15, 2004 In October 2004, the China Charity Federation organized a comparative seminar on international charity law. Co-organizers included ICNL, the Brigham Young […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 1, November 2004 By Thomas Silk* When clients look to legal counsel for advice and guidance, […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 1, November 2004 By Milton Cerny* With every election season comes a flurry of information  — […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 1, November 2004 By Jim Sleeper* Introduction Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America was so nuanced […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 7, Issue 1, November 2004 By Kathleen D. McCarthy University of Chicago Press / 319 pp. / $35 […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 4, September 2004 Edited by H. Peter Karoff Reviewed by Michael Bisesi* “Philanthropy,” according to Oscar […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 4, September 2004 By Milton Cerny* Responding to a numerous media reports alleging misbehavior at charitable […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 3, June 2004 By Thomas Silk* The modern legal empowerment of corporate philanthropy in the United […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 3, June 2004 By John H. Graham IV* On May 1, 2002, New York State Attorney […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 3, June 2004 Better Together: Restoring the American Community By Robert D. Putnam and Lewis M. […]

  The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 2, February 2004 By Barnett F. Baron* Introduction As part of a larger effort to […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 2, February 2004 By Jeffrey M. Berry* The leaders of the nation’s nonprofits do many things […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 1, September 2003 By Sally J. Scott, Ph.D.* Introduction Much of the literature assumes fundamental differences […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 1, September 2003 By Marcella Ridlen Ray. Foreword by Francis Fukuyama. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction, 2002. […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 1, September 2003 By Howard J. Wiarda. Boulder, Colo.: Westview, 2003. 170 pp. $70 hardcover, $24 […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 1, September 2003 Edited by Hugh Heclo and Wilfred M. McClay. Foreword by E.J. Dionne, Jr. […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 6, Issue 1, September 2003 Edited by Lester M. Salamon. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2002. 563 pp. […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 5, Issue 1, September 2002 By Randall W. Roth* According to recent media reports, many people believe that […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 5, Issue 1, September 2002 Canada Canadian Magen David Adom for Israel v. Minister of National Revenue 2002 […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 5, Issue 1, September 2002 Canada New Proposals for Federal Charities Regulation by Robert Hayhoe* As discussed in […]

PUBLISHED: JUNE 6, 2002 President George W. BushThe White HouseWashington, DC Dear Mr. President: We applaud the commitment you expressed in your recent West Point […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 4, June 2002 Canada Canadian Committee for the Tel Aviv Foundation v. Canada [2002] F.C.J. No. […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 4, June 2002 Canada By Robert Hayhoe* 1.Reform of the Canada Corporations Act Because of Canada’s […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 2-3, March 2002 By Jerold Oshinsky [1] and Gheiza M. Dias Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 2-3, March 2002 by Mark Dowie  Reviewed by Robert O. Bothwell* There are over 50,000 foundations […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 1, September 2001  By Robert O. Bothwell** Abstract   After the United Way of America/Bill Aramony scandal […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 4, Issue 1, September 2001 The United States Bieker v Community House of Moorestown This case concerned the […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2001 By Richard S. Gallagher A Task Force of the Exempt Organizations Committee of […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2001 To read more about the U.S. Treasury’s latest letter regarding international granmaking, please […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2001 the United States In Legal Services Corporation v. Velazquez the Supreme Court held, […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2001 the United States Deductibility of Charitable Donations for Non-Itemizers By Katharine Larsen and […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2001 By Arthur B. C. Drache, Q.C. In August we attended a symposium in […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 2, December 2000 By Victoria B. Bjorklund and Jennifer I. Goldberg Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, New […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 2, December 2000 the United States Bishop Estate Settlement By Benjamin Plummer, ICNL Legal Intern The […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 2, December 2000 the United States I) New NY Law: Unnecessarily Burdensome or Good Public Policy? […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 1, September 2000 By Peter deCourcy Hero As described elsewhere in IJNL and originally in Alliance […]

  The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 1, September 2000 Canada Reform of the Canada Corporations Act By Jane Burke-Robertson Drache, Burke-Robertson […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 1, September 2000 By David S. Chernoff Charitable activities know no international bounds. It has long […]

  The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 1, September 2000 By Helmut K. Anheier and Regina List Editors Reviewed by ICNL Staff […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 3, Issue 1, September 2000 To promote and facilitate international grantmaking, the Council on Foundations, in collaboration with […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 4, June 2000 United States Church’s Political Advertising Compromises Its Tax-Exempt Status Case Note on Branch […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 4, June 2000 The Enabling Environment for Community Philanthropy In a recent publication by the Council […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 4, June 2000 Canada Canada: The Next Step The Canadian federal government has released its response […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 4, June 2000 Many US grantmakers are presently making or looking to make cross-border grants. In […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 4, June 2000 Introduction U.S. grantmakers, both foundations and corporations, are showing increasing interest in “microfinance”: […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 4, June 2000 The Council on Foundations, in conjunction with ICNL, the American Express Company, the […]

PUBLISHED: MAY 10, 2000 The Council on Foundations, in conjunction with ICNL, the American Express Company, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and the John D. […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2000 United States The Impact of Anti-Discrimination Laws on NGOs Case Note on Dale […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2000 Canada Revenue Canada has issued three new guides on registering a charity, giving […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2000 Note: This article focuses on the concerns of grantmaking foundations, and does not […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2000 Summary After the United Way of America/Bill Aramony scandal in 1992, and several […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 2, December 1999 Authors’ note: because of the potentially fast-changing political and military circumstances leading to […]

As previous “Legal Dimensions” discussions have pointed out, a U.S. private foundation making a grant to a foreign charity will often need to determine whether […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 2, Issue 2, December 1999 Canada / the United States Tax Treaty – Guidance Regarding Implementation The Internal […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 4, June 1999 Abstract In June 1994, the City of Philadelphia implemented a “Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOTs) and […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 4, June 1999 As is the case in many countries overseas, most nonprofit organisations in the […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 4, June 1999 the United States Bishop Estate Should Not Pay for Trustees’ Lawyers An aspect […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 4, June 1999 Effective June 8, 1999, organizations tax-exempt under 26 U.S.C. §§501(c) and (d), other […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 3, March 1999 Canada In this issue, see the article on Canadian Developments! the United States […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 3, March 1999 The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently rejected an […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 3, March 1999 The Charity Commission for England and Wales has under consideration a law revision […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 2, December 1998 On July 30, 1998 the Department of Treasury issued its eagerly awaited rulemaking […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 2, December 1998 Canada Framework and Tax Legislation The recent decision (January 28, 1999) in the […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 2, December 1998 I. Introduction As Chinese nonprofit organizations seek to finance new initiatives and expanded […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 2, December 1998 Editor’s note. This issue of the Journal contains reviews of two “Handbooks” that […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 2, December 1998 Margery S. Bronster, Hawaii’s Attorney General, has asked the state’s probate court to […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 2, December 1998 The Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (“Maryland Nonprofits”) recently adopted “The Standards for […]

The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law Volume 1, Issue 1, September 1998 Canada; United States CANADA Recent Events in Canada By Arthur B. C. Drache, […]