The dean of a Christian seminary has been permitted to proceed with a breach of contract claim arising from the termination of her employment, despite the defendants’ invocation of the “ministerial exception” that precludes courts from becoming involved in employment discrimination suits with “ministers.”  An appellate court in California has reversed a trial court that had dismissed the entire case.

Dues-paying “members” of the Berkshire Museum in Massachusetts, who have no voting rights in the nonprofit museum corporation, lack standing to seek an injunction to stop the sale of valuable artwork, the state Appeals Court has affirmed.

A group of plaintiffs sued the museum and its trustees individually claiming standing to sue to enforce the museum’s governing documents, to protect their rights as members, and derivatively as corporate members.  A trial judge dismissed their claims and the Appeals Court has affirmed.

The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a statute setting requirements for charitable tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals.  The law was recently passed by the state legislature to require charitable hospitals to provide qualifying services or activities that equal or exceed in value of the hospital’s tax liability each year.

The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a statute setting requirements for charitable tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals.  The law was recently passed by the state legislature to require charitable hospitals to provide qualifying services or activities that equal or exceed in value of the hospital’s tax liability each year.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed two District Court decisions enjoining the state of California from requiring submission of the Form 990 Schedule B list of major donors in order to solicit charitable contributions within the state.  It has joined the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that recently held that a similar requirement in New York is constitutional and enforceable.  (See Nonprofit Issues^®, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1)