Independent Sector will honor Robert Greenstein, founder and executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, with the 2008 John W. Gardner Leadership Award. The award recognizes his work in promoting rigorous analysis of budget and tax policies in order to help lawmakers, the media, and the public understand how policy decisions at the national and state levels will affect low- and moderate-income people. Under his leadership, the Center also has enabled hundreds of nonprofit organizations to engage in budget and policy debates to better serve their communities.

Learn more about Robert Greenstein >>

Draft Instructions Released for Redesigned Form 990
The IRS has published draft instructions for the redesigned Form 990, which most public charities will begin filing in 2009. Comments to the IRS are due June 1.

The redesigned Form 990 the IRS released late last year incorporates many changes to the core form and schedules, and as a result sets new standards for how nonprofits report on their governance, compensation, and other details of their operations. Learn more about the draft instructions and other changes to the Form 990, including the schedules and phase-in periods for smaller organizations.

Help Strengthen Our Community's Vital Voice
Become a part of IS’s new Vital Voices: Spread the Word! campaign, in which staff at our members encourage the leaders of other charities and foundations to join our coalition and support our work to increase the ability of all organizations to improve lives.

IS Testimony on Estate Tax
IS President and CEO Diana Aviv testified before the Senate Finance Committee on April 3 about the estate tax. She focused on its impact on charitable organizations’ ability to serve the American people and proposed ways for the Committee and the nonprofit community to work together to deter abuses associated with estate planning.