University endowment tax receipts rise again

After growing from $68 million in 2021 to $243 million in 2022, the excise tax collected on investment income in private college and university endowments has risen again to more than $380 million in 2023.  The 2023 collections came from 56 institutions, compared to 58 in 2022 and only 33 in 2021.

Appeals Court Sets Standards For (c)(4) Social Welfare Groups

“Substantial” nonqualifying activity prevents exempt status; if followed, ruling could revolutionize political world

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that an Accountable Care Organization providing benefits to private parties as a “substantial” part of its activities is not eligible for exemption as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.  The ruling is the first modern appellate court ruling rejecting the claim that an organization can qualify for (c)(4) status so long as its “primary” activity is promoting the public good. 

Bank Trustee of Charitable Trust Breaches Duty of Trust to Beneficiary

Absent evidence to the contrary, commercial loan between trustee and beneficiary of trust was presumptively fraudulent

A commercial loan between a bank trustee of a charitable trust and the charity that is the beneficiary of the trust is presumptively fraudulent without clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, an appellate court in Illinois has ruled.  The Court has reversed a trial court decision authorizing the bank to proceed with an action to collect on the note and granted the charity’s motion to rescind the note for breach of fiduciary duty.