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The name of NLI’s blog, And God’s First, is inspired by St. Thomas More, who was convicted of treason and executed by Henry VIII for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy. More’s witness has inspired people of faith for many centuries, as he stood firmly for the rights of conscience despite pressure from the King.
“On his way to the Tower one of his daughters, named Margaret, pushed through the archers and guards, and held him in her embrace some time without being able to speak. Afterwards More, asking leave of the archers, bade her have patience, for it was God's will, and she had long known the secret of his heart. After going 10 or 12 steps she returned and embraced him again, to which he said nothing, except to bid her pray to God for his soul; and this without tears or change of color. On the Tuesday following he was beheaded in the open space in front of the Tower. A little before his death he asked those present to pray to God for him and he would do the same for them [in the other world.] He then be sought them earnestly to pray to God to give the King good counsel, protesting that he died his faithful servant, and God's first."
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Those who lead or support a faith-based nonprofit should endeavor to choose vendors whose business philosophy aligns...
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Two 501(c)(3) nonprofits will advocate for First Amendment protections for nonprofits and their donors before the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, April 26...
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The most recent coronavirus relief bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, (the “2021 Act”) expands on and extends existing programs created by previous relief acts. The main updates expand...
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The mandatory paid leave programs created under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (“FFCRA”) ended on December 31, 2020. However, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“2021 Act”), signed...
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The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 does not significantly reduce the religious liberty-related concerns that SBA loan programs pose to faith-based loan applicants. In fact, changes in executive and...
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The distinction between “the spiritual” and “the religious” is just one example of how culture tries to limit moral formation to personal experience...
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Severe financial distress has become part of the landscape for faith-based nonprofits in recent years. Nonprofit leaders, whether they...
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Both religious liberty advocates and skeptics agree that the protection of religious liberty in the First Amendment does not mean that the government...
Does your website feature a “donate” button for online donations? Does your organization receive contributions from donors? Are you...
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Today, November 4, 2020, the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments from foster parents and Catholic Social Services...
The presidential election will impact faith-based nonprofits in many ways. One of the most important involves the President’s authority to...
LIVE BLOG. What You Need to Know: From Why Faith-Based Organizations are Important During a Crisis to How the CARES Act Financially Impacts...
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In 1993, a Protestant school in Hawaii was sued by one of its former teachers for wrongful termination. In court, the Protestant school...
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Recent decisions by the United State Supreme Court have strengthened the legal protections afforded to religious employers. However...
In the short term, Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania protected religious organizations from being required...
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Last month, the Supreme Court issued a significant ruling for religious autonomy that provided much anticipated clarity on the so-called ministerial exception...
Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) § 6033 requires most tax-exempt organizations, including organizations exempt under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) 501(c)(3) as well as...
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic schools face quite the task as they look to develop reopening plans...
On June 05, the President signed the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (the “Flexibility Act”). The Flexibility Act changes...
COVID-19 and its impacts on daily life have been etched into our minds and may affect us for a long time. Human and social services agencies and...
Title II of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act creates several incentives for charitable giving during the...
Since at least the beginning of the last century, American government has expanded in size and scope, especially during times of fear and economic crises...
Using a compliance calendar can minimize the risk of fines and penalties associated with missed or late filings and have a measurable...
As the country emerges from the shutdown resulting from COVID-19 pandemic, planning will be essential to ensure workplace safety...
On May 11, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two important religious liberty cases, Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and...
The phrase “spring cleaning” has a renewed meaning as many of us find ourselves home with extra time due to shelter-in-place orders. With business...
The coronavirus pandemic and American society’s response have had a dramatic effect on everyday life. Lockdown orders have...
State and local coronavirus relief programs can assist faith-based organizations in managing challenges resulting from...
For organizations which did not receive a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, payroll relief may be available under the Employee Retention...
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that...
Under the text of the CARES Act itself, organizations meet the size eligibility criteria for a PPP loan if the organization has equal to or fewer than...
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act offers religious nonprofits a valuable tool...
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently extended deadlines for a variety of tax payments and filings (collectively, “Tax Obligations”). The extension...
Funds available for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) have been exhausted, according...
Faith-based nonprofits, along with other businesses and entities, must act quickly to adjust to the economic and public health impacts of coronavirus. However...
The past couple of months have provided a unique opportunity for all of us to look inside and reflect on strengths and opportunities - both personally...
When government orders, unique circumstances and/or acts of God hinder your ability to use your leased property, does your nonprofit still have the contractual duty to pay rent?
Coronavirus, COVID-19, Emergency Paid Sick Leave, Extended FMLA, CARES, PPP loans (not to mention social distancing and isolation orders)…
On April 8, 2020 (and again on April 13 and 14, 2020), the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued new “Frequently Asked Questions” providing clarifications...
Feature: Faith-Based Organizations and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Response #6
Last weekend, the Small Business Administration, in partnership with the Department of Treasury, published an interim final rule regarding...
The Small Business Administration (SBA) responded favorably to faith-based organizations’ concerns about Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and...
Feature: Faith-Based Organizations and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Response #4
The changes over the last month have occurred at breakneck speed. We have moved from a virus that was not a threat, to...
Feature: Faith-Based Organizations and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Response #5
Feature: Faith-Based Organizations and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Response #3
The CARES Act contains two loan programs which could potentially impact faith-based organizations. However, there are currently...
Feature: Faith-Based Organizations and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Response #2
Feature: Faith-Based Organizations and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Response #1
Feature: Faith-Based Organizations and the Coronavirus Pandemic. Opening Essay
Compilation of virtual Mass times and other resources for spiritual formation during quarantine
Earlier this year, Liberty University [www.liberty.edu] was the subject of several less-than-flattering articles regarding certain conflicted transactions and governance-related issues, such as...
In early 2019, after accepting the role of Executive Director of the newly launched Napa Legal Institute, I was challenged by a board member to explain our vision for the organization. Eager to convey...
When we devote ourselves to institutional integrity, we find ourselves forming the institutions that ultimately form us for responsible citizenship in a free society.
In the early part of the 20th century, tax-exempt organizations were subject to few government regulations. Prior to 1969, organizations did not even have to apply to the IRS to receive...
In DeOtte v. Azar, a federal district court case in Texas this past summer, a federal court issued a new permanent national injunction robustly protecting employers and individuals across the country who object to paying...
